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Yantra Yoga: The Tibetan Yoga of Movement

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This is IMHO the best book on physical-yoga available in English

Let me start by saying that I own hundreds of books on yoga. About half of these are on Tibetan yoga and about half are on the yoga of the Natha-Sampradaya or its modern derivatives (like Hatha-yoga and Kundalini practices). This book is simply the most interesting treatment of asanas (or "yantras" which are movements often containing asanas) and related pranayamas available, whether we are talking about Indian or Tibetan yoga.

This book covers a system of yoga originally recorded in writing in the 8th CE in a cycle of teachings by the Tibetan translator Vairochana. This cycle contains three works, one of which is fully translated (and commented upon at length) and another on the "elimination of obstacles" is quoted from extensively. The third work on tummo practice is not dealt with at all in this text.

I have only rarely seen such a comprehensive treatment of physical yoga. The text starts with a treatment of the preliminaries (sngon `gro) including two forms of pranayama and eighteen yantras for basic "body training" (lus sbyong). The yantras are yogic movements, many of which include the asanas familiar in Hatha-yoga.

This is followed by the main practices (dngos gzhi), which include five main series of techniques. Each of these five cycles has a method of pranayama, five basic yantras (dngos gzhi) and two variations of these yantras for training (rtsal `don) and progressing (bogs `don).

Thus there are five main pranayamas and seventy-five main yantras. These are followed by seven movements utilizing the lotus posture and a concluding section (rje kyi rim pa) with a method for clearing obstacles called the "vajra-wave".

So the text covers a total of 108 methods. The illustrations and descriptions of the yantras are very detailed, as are the explanations of the methods and rhythms of breathing while doing each yantra. Another important aspect is a detailed traditional description of the benefits of these yantras/asanas.

The pranayama is very advanced and I was astonished to find such methods described so plainly and in such detail. The methods for causing the prana to enter the central-channel (which have long been carefully guarded secrets) are explained in an unexpectedly thorough manner and the texts has a wealth of practical information, such as the progressive timetable for lengthening the practice of kumbhaka. The book has also answered a host of obscure questions that I have wondered about, such as if there is a relationship between madhyama, vama, and dakshina "nauli" and the three main nadis of the body.

From a historical perspective, the root-text (which is older than any of the extant texts on Hatha-yoga) is probably the most interesting document on physical yoga ever published. Many of the yantras are extremely similar to the asanas of Hatha-yoga in both name and appearance.

This illustrates that the yoga methods preserved in Tibet and the methods of the Hatha-yoga tradition (of the Nathas) were once deeply connected. This is particularly true of the abhyantaravarga of ati-yoga (especially the rdo rje zam pa) and the sampannakrama of anuttara-yoga-tantra (especially of Heruka Bhagavan Shri mngon rdzogs rgyal po). The lists of "great adepts" or mahasiddhas preserved in both the Tibetan and Indian traditions reinforce this connection. Many of the same adepts appear in the lineages of both traditions

This is now the most valued text in my collection, and I am deeply grateful to Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and the translators for making it available to students in the West.

RC Parker

in this book, chogyal namkhai norbu presents a detailed explanation of a medieval yoga text, as informed by his receipt of oral transmission. he makes no mention of whether in doing so he violates tradition, or whether an initiation is considered necessary to practice the exercises.

in general, tibetan buddhists are required to complete a series of purification exercises that last about two years before undertaking the higher levels of tantric instruction. one can only assume the practices in this book are an exception, because norbu does not discuss that point. there's a brief, obligatory statement at the introduction of the text stating that one should seek instruction from a qualified practitioner, but aside from that the reader is not discouraged from giving the material a go.

the text itself is basically a manual, presenting the exercises verbatim without frills or discussion. one might infer that the text was intended for an academic audience if it weren't for the fact that the instructions are so clear and specific. perhaps it was intended as a reference for the author's students, but if so that statement is not made anywhere.

if you are like me and are fascinated by the various schools of yoga and their practices, you will find in this book a real treat. it presents a highly esoteric system that is very different from typical studio yoga. the exercises themselves, however, are quite complicated, and it is probably unrealistic to think you can learn to perform them correctly from this book. you should probably check out the videos available freely online by norbu's students and others, under the titles "yantra yoga" and "trul khor." there is a very specific rhythm and form to the exercises that cannot be gleaned from the text itself. if the author's assumptions are correct and these exercises act to free blocked energies in the subtle body, performing them incorrectly could conceivably lead to temporary psychosis or other problems.

This book saves many years of research. It clearly explains purpose of many methods which are usually assigned to domain of Hatha yoga. Available books with commentaries in twilight language of Natha sampradaya can be understood much better now. Also, it is a real treasure for practitioners of Vajrayana.
Sw. Santosh Suraj

Written by Dzogchen and Tantra master Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, Yantra Yoga: The Tibetan Yoga of Movement is an in-depth study of Yantra Yoga, the Buddhism-influenced line of yoga in parallel to the Hathayoga of Hindu tradition. This system of poses, body movements, breathing exercises, and visualization, currently found in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism in relation to the Anuttaratantras, is described in depth with a number of black-and-white photographs and diagrams serving as visual aid to anyone interesting in learning and performing Yantra Yoga. An extensive commentary of the oral instruction of Tibetan yogins and siddhas of the twentieth century, Yantra Yoga is an enthusiastically recommended addition to Tibetan Buddhism studies shelves.

Most yoga taught in the West is descended from Indian hatha traditions. Yantra yoga, or trul khor, is a Tibetan Buddhist form that is now available in the West, thanks to Chogyal Namkai Norbu, the commentator of this translation. Norbu was recognized as a tulku, or reincarnated emanation of a Tibetan Lama, at a young age, and is now one of the premiere living Dzogchen teachers - Dzogchen is the core teaching within the Nyingma tradition, one of the four main Tibetan Buddhist branches.

Yantra yoga consists of 75 asanas or positions, coordinated with specific breathing patterns, mantras and visualizations. This book consists of Chogyal Namkai Norbu's commentary on the Union of Sun and Moon Yantra, a translation of the definitive guide to this yoga by the 8th century translator Vairocana. The book contains detailed pictures and explanations and is best used as a companion to studying with a certified yantra yoga teacher.

I hate yoga books that are not pragmatic. This book is not only very well written. But it's a step by step how-to of Tibetan Yoga. I contains very well illustrated pictures progressing from the simplest exercises to the most advanced! Even if you don't practice a Hatha style of yoga, you'll want this book for a great reference manual.

This book is well written. It gives detailed descriptions and instruction. Quite different than most yoga books available. It will take some time to get through the 108 moves.

As difficult as yoga is to learn from a book, this one is the best.