The Art and Science of Raja Yoga: Fourteen Steps to Higher Awareness: Based on the Teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Yoga is quite possibly the most ancient science known to man..." (more)
Key Phrases: simple inverted pose, yogic scheme, batba yoga, Corpse Pose, Paramhansa Yogananda, Bow Pose (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With yoga much in vogue these days, the prolific Walters, a longtime teacher and disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and founder of Ananda Village, offers an ambitious package of instruction in the discipline. Intended as a 14-week home-study course, the book's 14 chapters cover teachings, postures and routines, meditation and breathing techniques, health and healing topics and diet. It's tough to do a good yoga book, because a number of variables have to converge: substantive integrity, clarity in how-to explanations and quality visuals. By those measures, this book succeeds. Walters's long teaching record shows in his ability to discuss key yogic concepts and practices in simple terms. Though the author is not a particularly gifted writer, the how-to part instruction in postures is adequately clear. Workmanlike b&w photos illustrate form, and each explanation includes a helpful statement of the benefits of each pose. This comprehensive guide has an extra medium to distinguish it on the crowded yoga bookshelf: an accompanying audio CD that contains a vague lecture as well as more helpful sections of guided meditation and posture instruction. The book has its fuzzy edges: relating the Bible to yoga teachings is fancifully unnecessary, and recipes are not its long suit. All things considered, however, it's superior to books that reduce yoga to a series of physical exercises taught by this year's guru.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

The Art and Science of Raja Yoga contains fourteen lessons in which the original yoga science emerges in all its glory—a proven system for realizing one's spiritual destiny. Absolutely unique, this is the most comprehensive course available on yoga and meditation today. The Art and Science of Raja Yoga can be used both by beginning and long-time practitioners of yoga.

The Art and Science of Raja Yoga gives you a complete and detailed presentation of yoga postures, yoga philosophy, affirmations, meditation instruction, and breathing techniques. There are suggestions for daily yoga routines, information of proper diet, recipes, and alternative healing techniques.

Also included is an audio CD that contains: a guided yoga postures sessions, a guided meditation, and an inspiring talk on how the reader can use these techniques to solve many of the problems of daily life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 471 pages
• Publisher: Crystal Clarity Publishers (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156589166X
• ISBN-13: 978-1565891661
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #321,220 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #6 in

  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Authors, A-Z > ( W ) > Walters, Donald J.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A First Rate Personal Investment w/ Big Dividends!, March 19, 2004

By	Christopher Nelson (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very helpful, and enlightening manual on the art of yoga - more specifically, "Raja Yoga" which is a balanced and comprehensive approach to yoga practice. Knowing very little about yoga, but wanting to blend meditation with physical exercise on my own at home, I found an old record called "Yoga for Self Awareness" by Sri Kriyananda. It's a four sided set that includes a full hour and a half of yoga postures, meditation, and chants. It was pretty easy to follow along at first, but I realized that I desired to learn more and wanted to be sure I was doing the postures correctly. I was pleasantly surprised to find "Raja Yoga" by Kriyananda (aka Donald Walters) on Amazon, and ordered it right away.

The manual is divided into 14 chapters, each chapter into 7 subsets: Philosophy, Postures, Breathing, Routine, Healing, Diet, and Meditation - all treated with equal gravity, although meditation does figure prominantly throughout Raja Yoga. Yoga is rooted in religion, and so if meditation and religious sentiment don't appeal to you, you might just want to go find a local "hatha" yoga class at the YMCA, or gym. However, I will say that if you open yourself up to the basic philosophy presented here, and surrender skepticism towards Kriyananda's medical advice (which seems rather incredulous at times) you'll find yourself believing instead of doubting. The world is full of mystery (travel and see for yourself!), and to perpetually wrap oneself up in self-protective doubt is unproductive, and ultimately, harmful to spiritual (and physical) growth. Skepticism, okay; but yoga teaches one to trust, and open oneself up to incredible possibilities, and I think this lesson in itself makes Raja Yoga invaluable. I too didn't think I'd be able to do half of these postures when I first listened to the record (the cd that comes with the book is its one mediocre flaw, as it only contains an abbreviated version of the Yoga Postures record I found, along with a lecture by Kriyananda that you may or may not find inspiring. You don't need an audio supplement to do yoga, but it really helps to hear Kriyananda's magnetic voice. I suggest contacting the "student support" e-mail address provided in the introduction for records and cds).

Once you begin reading and practicing you'll quickly became impressed with just how comprehensive and easy to use "The Art & Science of Raja Yoga" is. I was able to jump right in and start making yoga a part of my daily routine. Ever since doing so, I've been amazed how my health and overall mind-set has strengthened to the point that I feel more balanced, positive, and in tune with nature. You will be too - enjoy!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is all about Raja Yoga!, February 10, 2003

By	M. Eby "have a good read" (Northern Cali.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was amazed at the beauty and simplicity of this text. It told me much of what I needed to know to start my journey on my Spiritual path. I felt that Swami Kriyananda's insights were clear and blended Christianity and Raja Yoga in a way that made sense to my Christian upbringing! Being rather skeptical by natural, I found the step-by-step process that Swami offers perfect for someone with a science/medical background (nursing) to gain the knowledge needed to open my heart and start on my true Path. There is even a page offering Student Support with a phone number and email address to contact someone with the questions that inevitably arise.

Each unit is broken down into `do-able' pieces. One can read through the entire book then go back at anytime or take one chapter at a time and absorb as much as necessary. I especially like the sections on Breathing (Pranayama)- offering many different techniques that can be incorporated into daily life at any time! There is also Philosophy, Meditation, Diet, Postures and Routines for every section or unit.

I am not a Hatha Yoga expert but am very much the amateur! I do Hatha Yoga to open my heart, to stretch my sometimes rather stiff body, and also to prepare myself for meditation. I like the Affirmations offered by Swami for each posture (asana). They help me to go deeper into the postures, and to direct my energy into a calm and positive direction.

I appreciate being able to read a book and develop my own thoughts on that subject - not having someone's beliefs shoved down my throat. I feel that the approach taken in this book offers me just that, a way to read and decide what works and what does not work for me. I really believe that this course in the Art & Science of Raja Yoga is great for everyone, beginners and those already committed to their Spiritual Path alike!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb guide to yoga...., June 25, 2005

By	Siva Balan "Cosmic Consciousness" (Singapore) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is divided into 14 steps and each step is further divided into 7 subjects. The subjects are philosophy, yoga postures, breathing, routine, healing, diet and meditation. This enables the reader to understand the philosophy and purpose of the yoga postures more deeply. The only complaint I have about this book is that it was unable to go into a deeper detail about the yoga postures! But I guess that the author was forced to keep his book "short" because of space constraints.

The author's guru, Paramhansa Yogananda (who is also my divine guru) gave little emphasis on hatha yoga and more emphasis on kriya yoga. This is understandable because Yogananda simply did not have the time to dive deeper into the practices of hatha yoga. When J. Donald Walters told his Guru that there is nothing much more to write about, our Guru told him "There is MUCH MORE to be written!" Thus kriyananda has been following his Guru's advice and has written over seventy books which compliments Yogananda's teachings.

It is a grave mistake to think that the books published by SRF is the ONLY true teachings of Yogananda. This will undoubtedly lead to dogmatism. Books by Kriyananda, Norman Paulsen, Roy Eugene Davis and other disciples of Yogananda complements the books published by SRF. Yogananda never intended SRF to be an exclusive sect and Kriyananda(who is a very sincere disciple) has taken the teachings of Yogananda to a deeper level.

This book is highly recommended to those who are interested in living a more spiritual life and are not recommended to people who are filled with hatred over the author. SRF students who are open-minded, would find this book useful for their own spiritual development.