Product Description

From the foremost living authority on Yoga comes the most comprehensive and reliable treatment of the subject available today. This is a work of impeccable scholarship by a person who has dedicated his life to the understanding and practice of yoga. The book offers a complete overview of every Yogic tradition, from the familiar to the lesser-known forms. It also covers all aspects of Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina Yoga, including history, philosophy, literature, psychology and practice. In addition, included are translations of twenty Yoga treatises and the first translation of the Goraksha Paddhati.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20403 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 550 pages

Synopsis
From the foremost living authority on Yoga comes the most comprehensive and reliable treatment of the subject available today. This is a work of impeccable scholarship by a person who has dedicated his life to the understanding and practice of yoga. The book offers a complete overview of every Yogic tradition, from the familiar to the lesser-known forms. It also covers all aspects of Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina Yoga, including history, philosophy, literature, psychology and practice. In addition, included are translations of twenty Yoga treatises and the first translation of the Goraksha Paddhati.

From the Author
Summary of over 30 years of research
This heavily illustrated 720-page book is my most important work to date. It is a comprehensive overview of the Yoga tradition (covering the Hindu, Buddhist, Jaina, and Sikh forms of Yoga). It includes complete translations of the Yoga-Sutra, Shiva-Sutra, Narada's Bhakti-Sutra, and Goraksha-Paddhati, as well as partial renderings of many other Yoga scriptures ranging from the ancient Rig-Veda to late medieval works and covering Raja-Yoga, Hatha-Yoga, Jnana-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Tantra-Yoga, and a great deal more. This volume is based on the long out-of-print "Yoga: The Technology of Ecstasy," which was a favorite with many Yoga students. In its present form, it is safe to say that this book contains something for everyone. I welcome reader's feedback.

Customer Reviews

A reference rather than a guide
This book deserves the 5 stars for the sheer expanse, the research behind it, and the approachable explanations of a very difficult, convoluted, and relatively undocumented subject. I especially enjoyed the historic context and perspective behind the various systems of yoga, and commend the author's serious attempts to provide a wealth of translated texts from the relatively unknown and mind-bogglingly large library of Hindu scriptures. His love of the subject shines through the effort he must have invested in documenting this knowledge.

The one missing bit which makes this book more an anthology - than a definitive guide for seekers - is that it doesn't come from author's own experiential understanding of the subject. This great work therefore does not speak with authority of a realised master - but is just a pointer on where to look.
However, it did help my own understanding greatly - therefore the 5 stars - and those who look at it for understanding rather than guidance will definitely enjoy it.

Those looking for a 'yoga kick' will unfortunately also find - as the risk remains with Indian traditions - a new ability to spout esoteric words and assumed understanding devoid of experiential meaning. But then, such is life :)

Goldmine of Yoga philosophy and history
A must-have book for Yoga teachers and students who are seriously interested in the subject of Yoga and its development.
With illustrations, easy to read layout - a comprehensive survey by a renowned Western scholar. A book which will always enrich and inform, a treasure of a reference book on Yoga - a much-needed antidote to the dumbing down of Yoga as a physical exercise and self-improvement trend.

AWESOME BOOK
It is very refreshing to see a westerner who really understands the heart,soul,and original pupose of all yogas. Most westerners assume Yoga to be a merely stretches and postures. In reality, there are many different paths of yoga--all invented to ultimately lead the soul to complete liberation, although a lot of people (even some self-designated "gurus") don't know or lose sight of this. I was very sceptical as to whether a westerner giving an honorable representation of this majestic science, and to give an honorable IN-DEPTH presentation at that!

As Ken Wilber states (in other words) in the foreword...we DO have in Feuerstein the perfect and necessary blend of a scientifically minded scholar and devoted practitioner.

HUGE BOOK!!! The size of an actual encyclopedia. But, if you have any clue as to how deep and rich the yoga tradition is, and if you also appreciate it's beauty...or even if you think it's a bunch of hooey and want to know whether you are right or not, it is an immensely scholarly--yet readable sourcebook. MUST HAVE!

(p.s.--I like old george now.)