Path of Fire and Light, Vol. 1: Advanced Practices of Yoga (Paperback)

by Rama (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"It sets forth in straightforward language some of the systematic techniques that yogic teachers and sages have used for millennia to gain control over mind and body." -- India West

Product Description
In Path of Fire and Light Swami Rama shares with Western students, for the first time, remarkable and practical information on the systematic techniques of an ancient and profound tradition of spiritual growth. The ancient yogic teachers and sages developed a powerful and subtle science of breath, swarodaya, by which they intensified their sensitivity to body and mind and successfully attained their ultimate goal: Self-realization. As a practical guide to the systematic science of swarodaya, this book is essential reading for all serious advanced students.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Himalayan Institute Press; illustrated edition edition (April 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0893890979
• ISBN-13: 978-0893890971
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #302,567 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable, July 31, 2000

By A Customer

This is a truly unbelievable book on advanced yoga. The greatest section of the book is the description of advanced (very advanced !) pranayama. Swami Rama first gives a lengthy explanation of the preparation for pranayama & nadi shodhanam. Then, he instructs you on how to achieve amazing spiritual transformation through extreme breath-holding. In what is surely the most fascinating section, Swami Rama describes, in detail, what happens to the body & energy of a yogi as he holds his breath for 5, 10, 13 or more minutes. Using Swami Rama's wisdom I have already achieved kumbhaka's (breath-holds) of over 7 minutes! What an amazing feeling to feel your heart rate drop to 20 beats per minute after 5 minutes! And the state of consciousness that ensues is of course indescribable. I have one suggestion: Get this book! (Swami Rama's 'Science of Breath' is a great companion book).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars esoteric secrets, July 24, 2007

By	Charlie B (over the rainbow, USA) - See all my reviews

This book is written by Swami Rama, a yogi who came to American in the late 70's. He let western doctors study him to advance the scientific understanding of yoga. He claimed to have been able to hold his breath for over an hour. He started a yoga facility in Pennsylvania, which still exists.

As for the book, it contains a wealth of information on various breathing practices -- practices you might hear referred to elsewhere but never explained. Often experts don't explain these things because they consider these practices too dangerous for beginners. But what eager beginner hasn't pushed limits? I suppose caution is in order.

In the year I practiced yoga, I also learned that within the yoga community, secrecy is like a currency, or a way to maintain power.

The Swami later published simpler books, because this book went over the heads of most people. And if you are just looking to get started with the breath, you could look on the internet for 2 to 3 key breathing exercises. No need to buy this book. The next volume in this series doesn't really go into the breath much, but the overall practice of yoga.

25 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good description of techniques - but be warned, August 12, 2002

By A Customer

People can I please advise you to make sure you are first very well established in the first 2 levels of Yoga before you embark on any Pranayama (breath-control). First be steeped in Yama(abstinences - alcohol, drugs, sex, meat, etc) and Niyama(observances - love, kindness, non-harm, patience, etc) before moving on to asans(postures) and especially pranayama. Every swami will tell you that if you are not living a committed Spiritual life in every respect, then practicing the 4th level of Yoga - breathing exercises, especially the advanced ones, can potentially be harmful. You should really only practice techniques like this within the framework of a spiritual society and Guru-disciple relationship. Breathing techniques force prana up the subtle spine, thus awakening higher and higher chakra's. This process should occur naturally and gradually as part of a disciplined spiritual life - it should not be forced.