Customer Reviews

Hatha Yoga Pradipika

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This book is a must-have for yoga practicioners that want to go beyond simple asanas. This is a wonderful way to learn of hatha yoga's roots as a holistic system, and even put it into practice, since this book is a modern compilation of ancient Indian lesson-texts put into modern English. Hatha Yoga Pradipika means "Light on Hatha Yoga" (not to be confused with modern and lesser imitations that use that title). Holding this book in my hands feels like direct access to a rich history of the roots of hatha unscathed by "new age" ideas. Basically the book is about classical postures, breath control, and cleansing.

Interestingly, the book does not talk about food intake--basically says that it is not important to spend too much time thinking about what food to eat, how much, etc. (this is a nice change in a modern world that obsesses over food). However, it does go into length on the subject of cleansing the body using several methods, some of which are extreme, but some of which a novice could do with some courage.

Another interesting thing about the texts in this book is that although they are traditional, the focus isn't spent on spiritual concepts such as chakras, kundalini, or meditation, etc, it even rarely mentions relatively popular yoga terms such as prana or nadis. As it is well-known about hatha, the people who practiced these ancient rituals believed that persons could not reach enlightenment through stillness and meditation, but instead, through physical asana and purification. There are interesting and clear ideas concerning this inside the book as well.

An all-encompassing text on the vast teachings of hatha yoga, lucidly expanding on each verse from the original Pradipika written in the 1300's. This book is "the source" for methods of asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha and meditation practice providing clear step-by-step instruction. A remarkably easy read for such dense material.

If you are familiar withthe Bihar School of Yoga text, you will know how wonderful their books and insights are. Their research stems not only from a spiritual point of view but from a scientific and medical one.

I had only the mildest of thought of what I might find in this text as I was purchasing it. I figured it would be an indepth book on the religious aspects of the system we know as Yoga. Was I mistaken... Here I found a work so compelling and utterly educating. I can not understand why I hadn't purchased this book earlier. On my quest to understand Yoga and why I do the asana's, pranayama's, mudra's and meditation, I came into contact with the Bihar School of Yoga's great work Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha/2008 Fourth Revised Edition and was blown away. Then came several more books from this school. Every one of these books have taught me something more than what I could ever hope to find on the internet. I delved further into learning true Yoga. This book is no different.

Each text in here begins with the original sanskrit writing. Then follows the engish translation of the sanskrit. Lastly, but in no way less important, follows the translation and expansion of these great writings by Swami Satyananda and Swami Muktibodhananda, giving insight on how things can be done in todays world owing to dramatic change of living and the spreading of these teaching all over the world, adapting it to everyones personal situation. Throughout they suggest that a guru is obtained to walk you through the changes and insights you will likely experience while practicing. I agree with this, but I feel they do such a great job on coaching throughout the book that you can get pretty far without one. I guess that is why these books are used in their Masters and Doctorate Yoga program in Bihar, India. Also, when read carefully, you will notice that they also mention that no matter what your spiritual/religious beliefs this book can still be used to bring you closer to it, to feel it and also to bring you closer to yourself and humanity. This book is for everyone.

Reading this book alone is a journey in of itself. Another great from the Bihar School of Yoga. To go anymore indepth than I already have would take alot more space. I highly recommend this book to any and all who are looking for a guide for a safe practice toward True Yoga (connection with the supreme). Enjoy.

Other books of theirs to consider (they have helped me understand how life and our bodies really work - inside and out, how disease manifests and how to heal) something I have yet to find in via my doctors ...

Dynamics Of Yoga
Yogic Management of Asthma and Diabetes
The Practice of Yoga for the Digestive System

Wow, I had no idea the depths of Hatha Yoga until I picked up this book. I think here in the West we have mostly come to know of yoga - even hatha yoga - as the yoga postures and some breathing exercises. The Pradipika really brings the Hatha yoga experience to a whole new level, one that I think many people here are not ready for! A must read for any yoga teacher.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika is the oldest surviving text on hatha yoga, written possibly in 15th century CE by Swatmarama. The most-widely cited and quoted text on yoga, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, was written several centuries earlier. Hatha Yoga Pradipika is as essential as the Yoga Sutras.

This translation and commentary by Swami Muktibodhananda of the Bihar School of Yoga is on the reading lists at most yoga centers. The Sanskrit text is translated and then followed through with a detailed, informative commentary. This is the most comprehensive, clearest, modern commentary on Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The history of yoga given at the beginning of the book, Swamiji on Hatha Yoga, clarifies much confusion. Understanding this history may help remove the tension and rivalry that exist between hatha yogis and raja yogis. Hatha Yoga Pradipika itself is fairly clear on what it means by hatha and raja.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika consists of four stages: asanas (15 are named and described), shatkarma kriyas and pranayamas, mudras, bandhas. The physical postures of asanas activate the vital life force prana. The cleansing practices of shatkarma kriyas clean the body of toxins. The breathing practices of pranayamas purify the energy channels and balance prana. Hand gestures, called mudras, activate certain pressure points to channel the prana. Yogic locks, called bandhas, draw prana up to higher energy centers called chakras. This self-contained book describes everything generously, with detailed instructions so the reader has all the information on the theory as well as clear directions (with line diagrams) on the practice. Reference to another book or source is not necessary.

The purpose of these stages is to prepare the body for the awakening of spiritual energy, called kundalini. The energy must be directed and drawn up into the central channel of sushumna, the pathway for spiritual energy called kundalini. Commentators over the centuries, the book states, explain that when ida (negative current), pingala (positive current), and sushumna (spiritual energy) unite at ajna chakra, it is called hatha yoga. When the spiritual energy continues on to merge at the top of the head, at the energy center called sahasrara, it is yoga.

Swatmarama explains what he means by hatha yoga and raja yoga. Hatha yoga is the means, the method, the path; raja yoga is the goal. Hatha is the basis of raja yoga--hatha being the dynamic and preparatory aspect while raja yoga is the culminating stage. Raja yoga is simply another term for samadhi, the stateless state in which the individual consciousness has completely dissolved into the Universal Consciousness.

In the context of Yoga Sutras, raja yoga now commonly means the path, the method of the mind disciplining the mind, to attain samadhi. So the term raja yoga is used in two different ways. Patanjali predates Swatmarama and never uses the words "raja yoga."

Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Muktibodhananda is filled with wisdom and information on all aspects of life covered by Swatmarama. Hatha yoga is an offering from Swatmarama to achieve spiritual awakening.

Of all of the original yoga texts, this one hones closest to teh original intent in terms of language and structure. Swami Muktibodhananda does not inject any of the usual touchy-feely new-age-y nonsense that usually accompanies these works; it's a frank and honest work of enormous benefit to understanding the context and lifestyle of authentic yoga.

This is one of the biggest books I have ever read. If you are looking to learn TRUE and AUTHENTIC hatha yoga then GET THIS BOOK! You will NOT be dissapointed. It's big its thick it has everything.

Amazing compendium of old and new wisdom brought forward with clarity and sympathy by Swami Muktabodhananda. Recommended for all students of Hatha, Raja, Rajadiraja yoga. Traces the history and the cultural/spiritual context in easy-to-understand language mixed with Sanskrit spice.

One of the staples of hatha yoga. A must have for all serious practitioners; students and teachers alike. It is an easy read and a wealth of necessary information to make your practice life changing. A great source of information on philosophy, technique, reference, and guidance... the list goes on and on. You will refer to it over and over again.

Amazingly simple logical text on the ancient system of yogic healing and the pathway to its ultimate goal.

A tremendous amount of information presented in digestible form.