Customer Reviews

Health, Healing, And Beyond

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Unlike "Autobiography of a Yogi," this work is not about magic but about the living tradition of yoga, and of a yogi skilled in all six Ways of Viewing, a wanderer, who journeyed for years on end learning the Vedic teachings, finally settling in south India to live yoga and raise a family. Not quite a biography, this book is a mixture of reminiscences, teachings and photographs of the author's father, Sri Krishnamacharya. One of my favorite stories describes Krishnamacharya's journey to a temple known long ago for its learned teachers. When he arrived by foot, exhausted, the gateskeeper suggested he first nap outside the grounds. Later, inside, he met a great teacher "seated beneath a banyan tree granting knowledge to all his disciples" and promptly memorized all his words upon recitation---only to awaken outside to the self-same gateskeeper, who slyly asked if he had found what he was looking for. The lost teachings had been transmitted in a dream. There is much more than this, of course, including many practical aspects and insights on all 8 limbs of classical yoga. There are two related shortcomings in this otherwise superb book. First, look at the fine "Essence of Yoga" by Desikachar's student, B. Bouanchaud. The frontispiece is a drawing by Krishnamacharya depicting Patanjali surrounded by his four students. These students represent the four books of the Yoga Sutras, the same teachings having been presented differently and with different emphases for each student. This skill-in-means is fundamental to Krishnamacharya's whole approach to yoga. While three of his students (B.K.S. Iyengar, Indra Devi, T.K.V. Desikachar) are mentioned here, I was surprised to read all 211 pages and find that A.G. Mohan, Krishnamacharya's fourth student for 18 years, was not mentioned once. (Lest there be any doubt, see Krishnamacharya's warm dedication to Mohan's fine book, "Yoga for Body, Breath and Mind.") This oversight taints a full appreciation of Krishnamacharya's true living tradition. Also, I believe there is something more to yoga and healing than the "We care" attitude emphasisized later in the book, but that emphasis may be related to the author's caring, sociable nature. That said, this is a marvelous book about an extraordinary man, well-written by an accomplished yogi who knew him well. There is something poignant in the author's tale of his own expedition to the Himalayas, searching for the cave where his father's guru lived and taught, the plight of a modern man who, like most of us, cannot wholly comprehend Krishnamacharya's accomplishments in the Vedic tradition. There are lessons here for us all. Don't miss it for the world.

I have just read this book. It is destined to become a classic book about yoga. It is more than just a biography of Krishnamacharya's life, it is a very straightforward account of Hindu theology and one of the best summaries of Patanjali"s writings I have ever read. So many things in the book are skillfully examined, such as the role of Sanskrit language in yoga, and how yoga fits in historically with eastern religious life. I have come to view Krishnamacharya as a reformer bringing yoga into the modern world, and more important to the west. I compare _Health, Healing and Beyond : The Living Tradition of Krishnamacharya_ with the yoga classic, _Autobiography of a Yogi_ and the latter is found wanting in terms of providing any real illumination about the system of yoga.

You do not have to be a serious practitioner of Yoga to appreciate the warmth that Desichakar brings forth in this tribute to his father. This is a story told from the heart, of a sons admiration and love of one of the foremost Yogis to have lived. I found myself finishing the book in less than a day. For those not familiar with the essence of Yoga as art, philosophy and science, this book offers an easy to comprhend overview of this timeless tradition which offers an incomparable richness to anyone who begins the journey. Krishnamacharya's devotion, compassion, and uncompromising discipline are an inspiration. This is Yoga beyond the commercialization and dilution of the art that is now so prevalent in the West.

Eloquent and accessible, Desikachar's tribute to his father not only accomplishes it's aim, but also illuminates the origins of indian philosophy and offers insight into the Hindu culture. Easily read, this is a wonderful source of information for not only practioners, but for everyone interested in this ancient science, and the man, who in all humility could be called the father of modern yoga.

Whilst I am in awe of Sri Krishnamacharya and have been for many years, this book, written by his son, is a very difficult and dry read. At page 81, I just gave up and getting to that page took me a couple of months! It is also tiring to constantly read how great Sri K. was - I know that already!

There is very little if any information on the discoveries that Sri K. made from studying Sanskrit literature sprinkled all over India. There is also very little information of his life, hardships and realtionships with his chief disciples.

Interpretation of the Patanjali Sutras is also done from a very physical Hatha point of view which I have never agreed with - see "Bringing the Inner God to Life" by Swami Shankarananda Giri or learn Kriya Meditation to see what I mean. The book by Swami Shankarananda Giri is a translation of Patanjali's Sutras and goes much deeper and beyond Hatha Yoga and presents more logical arguments.

Great book explaining how a yogi is called and educated. Wonderful message about the middle path of devotion. Not too much, not too little, always present as a practice in life.

When I bought this book I expected to read about deep details of the life of the 'teacher of teachers' T.Krishnamacharya. But as his son, the author, says in the very first chapters T.K did not divulge a lot to even his own son. From that point in the book I expected to be bored with the authors ramblings, but was pleasantly surprised to find it a good read.
While it would have been good to get a first account from TK, this secondhand account from his student and son is not bad. For me personally, it removes the suspicious aura of mystery that surrounds these 'yogi people'. Desikachar comes across as a completely earthy person who finds himself in close proximity to a legend. I liked his writing style. A good addition to my yoga library.