Yoga

Jung and Yoga: The Psyche-Body Connection (Studies in Jungian Psychology By Jungian Analysts, 94)

by Judith Parker Harris

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"This book is an in-depth study of the parallels between yoga practices and Jungian analysis, and the implications of both for spiritual and psychological growth. It is an eminently practical approach to the subject that, on the one hand, focuses on the understanding of Jung's ideas as they may be experienced through bodywork, and, on the other, offers a new psychologicsl perspective to practitioners of bodywork.
Many of us have endured a life not-yet-lived. In the mysterious place between the opposites, previously hidden energy brings psyche and body together, uniting them in the sacred union that gives birth to new consciousness and the gift of a life fully lived."

Publisher: Inner City Books | More reviews: amazon.com

Meditate

by Swami Muktananda

This is a practical how-to book of meditation techniques. "Meditation," Swami Muktananda explains, "happens through the grace of a Siddha Master; it is our birth-right. All we must do is to shift our focus from the outside to the inner Self." This book is highly recommended for the new meditator and for anyone wishing to deepen their meditation experience.

Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr | More reviews: amazon.com

Illusion's Game: The Life and Teaching of Naropa (Dharma Ocean)

by Chogyam Trungpa

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"Naropa thought he knew everything about Buddhism, having studied at the best Buddhist school on Earth. But he allowed himself to begin following his intuition, which led him to the realization that scholarly learning is not the heart of buddhism. In following Tilopa in Tibet, he had many trials and much suffering, many losses, which helped him lose his self-importance, the main obstacle to buddha nature. This has meaning for us today. We always wish there was less suffering. More popular Buddhist books now seem to teach that suffering can be avoided. Naropa did not avoid, but embraced the meaning inherent in the suffering, practiced vulnerability rather than protection, and as a result, came to understand his true nature. Not only an excellent teaching, but a fascinating story, a real page-turner."

Publisher: Shambhala | More reviews: amazon.com

Eros, Consciousness, and Kundalini: Deepening Sensuality through Tantric Celibacy and Spiritual Intimacy

by Stuart Sovatsky

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"Note to previous reviewer: Don't you think that it would be nice to have actually read the book(half a book...a chapter, perhaps?) before saying that it is awesome(before saying anything at all) or do you totally miss the point of reviewing?...I think you do. Anyway, it is a nice book, that covers basic concepts of Kundalini in a hutshell. It is orientated towards an average(western) reader, who knows nothing about it. It talks mainly about the "eros" part (for whose, who are looking for something "juicy", you won't find it here). Downside: The book does not have too many practical exercises and the pictures are not very helpful. SO, if you want some theory on the subject with couple of illustrations, this book is OK. However, if you are serious about practicing Kundalini, it won't be much help."

Publisher: Park Street Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Off The Mat: Thoughts From a Yoga Practice

by Nicole DiSalvo Billa

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"Non-practitioners of yoga usually conceive of the ancient practice as a means to physical fitness, promoting youthful vitality, flexibility and defeating the effects of stress.

Yoga is indeed these things, but so very much more that one hardly knows where to begin: perhaps it is best to begin by saying that yoga is first of all a way of life, a means of integrating body, mind and spirit to achieve the optimal functioning of each. Yoga sharpens the intellect, makes the heart grow more tender and compassionate, and heightens sensitivity to others and to situations, all while promoting physical health.

In this delightful and inspiring collection of essays, Nicole Billa beautifully illustrates some of the many ways that the practice of yoga has impacted on her life and the lives of her students, among many others. She shares her thoughts about how practitioners take yoga's teachings "off the mat" and out into the everyday world of spouses and children, business and family and social obligations, jobs and traffic jams and grocery shopping. Using the experiences of everyday living, the author weaves the subtle wisdom of yogic philosophy, like a golden thread, throughout her anecdotes.

This is a delightfully readable book and I very much appreciate the author's casual, conversational style: I read it from cover-to-cover in the course of a day. It is also an important book, one that in a very few pages (65) manages a Herculean task: to convey the "flavor" of yoga to the non-initiate.

If there were any "first book" that I would recommend to someone new to the world of yoga, this is it. It is also a joy for the experienced yogi to read helping to remind us (and we sometimes need reminding) of the reasons we do what we do."

Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. | More reviews: amazon.com

Yoga Psychology and the Transformation of Consciousness: Seeing Through the Eyes of Infinity

by Don Salmon

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" What a wonderful journey this book takes you on in its exploration of the nature of our conscious experience from both scientific and spiritual perspectives. Salmon and Maslow draw on the latest findings of scientific research as well as a wide variety of yogic sources, focusing in particular on Sri Aurobindo's multi-dimensional yogic vision. The authors present a fascinating summary of the scientific findings regarding how consciousness emerged over the course of evolution, how it develops in each of us from infancy to adulthood, and how it unfolds in every moment of our lives. They then use those scientific findings to challenge and delve into, in a way I found very eye-opening, the essence of how we experience the world in each moment. While honoring scientific research, they go on to challenge what we mistakenly take to be scientific fact - the view that consciousness is merely an accidental by-product of dead, non-conscious matter.

Particularly eye-opening for me are the deeply intelligent descriptions that bring rich new dimensions to familiar concepts such as karma, rebirth, ego, and soul. The authors also make beautiful sense, in a way I haven't quite seen before, of the purpose of life even in the face of deepest suffering, of our collective purpose and potential even in the face of a world that seems to be falling apart. But this book gives so much more than just wonderful explanations. Through vivid well-chosen examples and through the ongoing recounting of a particular individual's moving life story, it actually evokes the deep and vast dimensions of consciousness that it describes. The CD which comes with the book also does a brilliant job of making the radical and inspiring vision of yoga psychology accessible to our experience. In their own gentle voices, Salmon and Maslow guide us through effective basic meditation practices, and a series of provocative and evocative contmplative exercises. Salmon's sensitively composed and performed music which accompanies the entire CD helps to powerfully create in the listener a deeper experience of oneself and the world. "

Publisher: Paragon House | More reviews: amazon.com

Yoga and the Hindu Tradition

by Jean Varenne

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A popular and critical success when it first appeared in France, Yoga and the Hindu Tradition has freed Yoga from the common misconceptions of the recent Yoga vogue. Jean Varenne, the distinguished French Orientalist, presents the theory of classical Yoga, in all its richness, as a method—a concrete way to reach the Absolute through spiritual exercises—which makes possible the transition from existence to essence.

This excellent translation, including line drawings and charts, a glossary of technical terms, and a complete translation of the Yoga Darshana Upanishad, begins with a brief description of the metaphysical and religious history on which Yoga is based. Varenne discusses the theoretical conception of Yoga as the search for liberating knowledge, concluding with a brief indication of the physical practices and extra Yogic themes such as Kundalini and Tantrism. It is the author's hope that "those who read [this book] will come to realize that it is in fact dishonest to reduce Yoga to some sort of physical training, or to just an occult doctrine; it is a 'world view' a Weltanschauung that comprehends reality in its totality."

"The straightforward, well-organized presentation makes the book itself a microcosm of what Varenne singles out as a dominant feature of classical Hindu thought—a bringing of the complex and multitudinous into a unity."—Judith Guttman, Yoga Journal

Publisher: University Of Chicago Press | More reviews: amazon.com

A Practical Guide to Holistic Health

by Rama

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Describes what holistic health is and how to achieve optimum health through cleansing, nourishing, exercising and meditation

Publisher: Himalayan Institute Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Yoga for the Three Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice As an Art Form, a Physical Therapy, and a Guiding Philosophy

by Srivatsa Ramaswami

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"This is a rich treasure trove of information about yoga in the context of an authentic tradition. I found it to be endlessly fascinating and rewarding. However, despite what some other reviewers have said, I think it may not be what many people are looking for. Here are some things one should be aware of:1. The philosophical information is quite dense and not always accessible. While the author's English is quite good, it is not always completely "comfortable" and people may become confused. For instance, he frequently uses terms most westerners will not be familiar with (names of deities, etc.), only some of which are in the glossary. If you are looking for an accessible, down to earth philosophy that will enrich your asana practice, read T.V.K. Desikachar's "The Heart of Yoga." If you are looking for a richer, less watered down version of this information, and are willing to put up with a less clear format, then this book may be preferable.2. This is not a good presentation of the asanas. Many asanas are described but not pictured, and in addition, there is not a lot of detailed instructional information about most of the poses. In his defense, Ramaswami says that he is only cataloguing the asanas for reference purposes and that they should be learned only under the supervision of a teacher. All of the above applies equally to the section on pranayama. The presentation of vinyasakrama is the only bridge I've seen between Desikachar's viniyoga and Pattabhi Jois's Ashtanga yoga. Basically, it involves starting all poses in samasthiti and using the sun salutation poses to connect them, but with emphasis on the slower, gentler and personally customized routines that characterize viniyoga. This content came to me as a truly wonderful gift.So, I would recommend this book only to people who are looking for a source of thought provoking yoga philosophy and especially those who want all the information they can get about Krishnamacharya's yoga system(s). This book will greatly enrich most aspects of your practice, however, it is best to approach it as a supplemental rather than primary source of information."

Publisher: Inner Traditions | More reviews: amazon.com

Awakening Kundalini for Health, Energy, and Consciousness

by Chris Kilham

Average Rating:

"This is a good basic primer on Kundalini, the human energy system, and meditation. I disagree with the previous reviewer's comments regarding Chris Kilham's voice being "soothing." While his voice is not grating, it is far from soothing, particularly when you consider that the pace of the tape moves along at a rather quick rate. (I get the feeling that they had more material than would fit on one tape, and so the pace is a tad rushed). Still, I feel that this is a good tape overall, and well worth the money, particularly if you're fairly new to the subject."

Publisher: Destiny Recordings | More reviews: amazon.com