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A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya
Yoga is not an ancient myth buried in oblivion.It is the most valuable inheritance of the present.It is the essential need of today and the culture of tomorrow. Swami Sivananda Sarswati. This book is the most comprehensive text ever published on yoga. It contains a complete course of 36 structured lessons on all the practices of integral yoga. The lessons were compiled from the teachings given by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and are useful as a practical and theoretical guide for all levels of yoga teachers and aspirants. The book presents a synthesis of yoga in a scientific and systematic manner. The different branches of hatha yoga, mantra yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga and kriya yoga are progressively introduced with special emphasis on practice, theory and application in daily life. Includes line drawings,diagrams and colour plates. The depth of knowledge this book contains provides the link between you,the practitoner of yoga and an experienced guide and teacher.This link is your sadhana(spiritual practice),the beginning of your inner transformation,spiritual awakening and realization of higher ideals in life. The techniques covered in this book have their basis in the ancient vedic (tantric and yogic) shastras and were handed over the centuries from guru to disciple. Now in an age when travel and communication have become almost instantaneous affairs and there are more efficient methods of disseminating wisdom than the human voice and ear,we wish to offer these transcendatal instruments of grace to all who have eyes to read and ears to hear.
957 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
170 people are currently reading
1,253 people want to read
About the author
Satyananda Saraswati
256books235followersSwami Satyananda Saraswati was a sannyasin, yoga teacher and guru in both his native India and the West. He founded the International Yoga Fellowship in 1956 and the Bihar School of Yoga in 1963. He has authored over 80 books, including the well-known Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, recognised internationally as one of the most systematic yoga manuals today. Since its first publication by the Bihar School of yoga in 1969 it has been reprinted seventeen times and translated into many languages.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 1, 2020
This is my yoga bible. I refer to it almost daily. I travel the world with it. It goes with me everywhere. If you are interested in building your own yoga practice, learning the benefits of each pose, ways to cleanse the body, pranayama, and meditations, as well as the history of Kriya Yoga then buy this book. Open it. Start with page one. And don't rush. Or, you could follow my blog... where I work through the entire book, lesson by lesson with the readers. This includes readings, videos, powerpoints, etc.
June 29, 2019
I'd be surprised if any of the people who have this book on their "read" shelf here have actually read it cover to cover. (I haven't but putting it there is the only way to write a review.) This is one of the densest books I own, of any kind. It's structured like a text-book and meant to be used as a practical guide for developing and maintaining a Kriya Yoga practice.
I began my yoga practice with Bikram Yoga and, after years of teaching and practicing it, I have moved away from it and towards a broader approach. One of the things that drew me to this book is that Bikram Yoga and Kriya yoga share the same lineage. If Bikram Yoga is McYoga, as a lot of people like to proclaim, then this is a PhD dissertation. There's so much in here that I won't try to summarize or describe it beyond saying that there is enough material to last a lifetime of practice. Taken as a whole the book outlines an almost extremely advanced practice but it's written in such a clear, friendly and precise manner that there is a lot a beginner can get from it.
My daily practice these days is a hybrid of Bikram Yoga and Ghosh Yoga (as I learned it in India) with just a little bit of Kriya influence. As I continue to work with this book I hope the Kriya aspect becomes more integrated.
Postscript: I'm aware that Satyananda Saraswati, like Bikram Choudhury, is probably a serial rapist and sexual abuser. I and extremely disheartened that so many "gurus" turn into megalomaniacs but these schools of yoga have been compelling and well suited for me so I'm not going to ignore the practical aspects of their teachings. (But I still won't watch any more Woody Allen movies.)
I began my yoga practice with Bikram Yoga and, after years of teaching and practicing it, I have moved away from it and towards a broader approach. One of the things that drew me to this book is that Bikram Yoga and Kriya yoga share the same lineage. If Bikram Yoga is McYoga, as a lot of people like to proclaim, then this is a PhD dissertation. There's so much in here that I won't try to summarize or describe it beyond saying that there is enough material to last a lifetime of practice. Taken as a whole the book outlines an almost extremely advanced practice but it's written in such a clear, friendly and precise manner that there is a lot a beginner can get from it.
My daily practice these days is a hybrid of Bikram Yoga and Ghosh Yoga (as I learned it in India) with just a little bit of Kriya influence. As I continue to work with this book I hope the Kriya aspect becomes more integrated.
Postscript: I'm aware that Satyananda Saraswati, like Bikram Choudhury, is probably a serial rapist and sexual abuser. I and extremely disheartened that so many "gurus" turn into megalomaniacs but these schools of yoga have been compelling and well suited for me so I'm not going to ignore the practical aspects of their teachings. (But I still won't watch any more Woody Allen movies.)
September 1, 2012
Excellent book...it's the bible of yoga
December 20, 2021
The book is what it says it is - A systematic course on yoga and kriya. I had been reading bits and pieces from many different books. A structured approach is always better than a haphazard one, and so this book is superior to many others out there.
A book to be savoured, and one to be referred back to time and again.
A book to be savoured, and one to be referred back to time and again.
July 6, 2023
wonderful writer, down to earth/humerous yogi. Not into secrets or mystery. He tells you everything and figures if you're mature enough to handle it you will. HUGE book, but beautfully laid out and systematic to build on gradually. I bought mine from a bookstore in India via ABEBooks.com for about a third of what it costs on Amazon, even when adding on the shipping.
May 28, 2018
THis is indde the esoteric knowledge ogf kriya yoga - almost the samea kundalini tantra - which werformely ponly taught to vey fewelected pupils by thr gurus. especially worthwhile is mentionug the "reconciling" with modn westen medicin,as guru satryandais a mdeical doctor (for animals, as far as i Know),himself. most impressing is thr ida pingala,thre gumnas, 8rajas, sattwa,tams) reconcilation with parasympathiciusandsympathics,wehr thr sympthicus givesteadreanlibm vey imprtant both for the psycharric PATHology. but the other chaptes are veryimmportant too andone may grwat progres in yoga and tantra .not thst you maehjanvce the upwarddoewn asdanas shouldrstandand headstand tio up to several (2 or exteme 3) pr dayas in real clasical yoga texts,
YOGSAINSTEADofPSYCHITERY-you shoul tryit, thr pressure ofthtongue agains t e paslsate khecarchr mudra, antar mouna is vey good too. Psxvhaitrc drugsdestroy ther benefits of yoga to alarge extetnt, so avoid it, Th yioguisthremselvesexpress this very emphatic too!
YOGSAINSTEADofPSYCHITERY-you shoul tryit, thr pressure ofthtongue agains t e paslsate khecarchr mudra, antar mouna is vey good too. Psxvhaitrc drugsdestroy ther benefits of yoga to alarge extetnt, so avoid it, Th yioguisthremselvesexpress this very emphatic too!
July 4, 2017
Comprehensive treatise on all things related to yoga, and in particular hatha yoga. Details both the philosophy, meditative and physical practices according to Satyananda's school. This book has been used as a manual by many yoga students in the past. It is also available on various sites for free.
January 31, 2019
Review in progress...
Vajrajana master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche said the problem of today's devotee is that she's being exposed to so many teachings and techniques that she doesn't gain steadiness in any. I agree for I have been one such devotee. It is therefore that I'm trying to commit to the practices taught in this amazing book. A review of this book will emerge with time. � नम� शिवा� � शान्ति� शान्ति� शान्ति� �
Vajrajana master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche said the problem of today's devotee is that she's being exposed to so many teachings and techniques that she doesn't gain steadiness in any. I agree for I have been one such devotee. It is therefore that I'm trying to commit to the practices taught in this amazing book. A review of this book will emerge with time. � नम� शिवा� � शान्ति� शान्ति� शान्ति� �
December 31, 2023
This book is huge and it took me a long time to read it all but it’s about as good of a text as one can get for Kriya. It’s a textbook. It has helped me with my Yogic practice over the years and it’s very in depth. I would definitely recommend for someone who is serious about deepening their practice. Don’t like the size of the book intimidate you, there is a lot of great information that can be applied to daily life and practice.
February 10, 2019
Yoga bible.
April 30, 2019
Very good book
September 30, 2020
Life changing.
July 14, 2023
This is absolute the best book on yoga I had ever seen, deserving life-reading. I'm very upset that I did't encounter this book earlier!
December 15, 2023
Yoga Supermassive Black HOLE!
January 19, 2024
A lifetime of reading �
January 20, 2021
The shining example of a tour de force of the topic.
This is THE book for self study of Yoga and Kriya.
My mind seems to be having difficulty finding the right words to expound how great this book is.
Get it, you will not be dissapointed.
UPDATE:
I've since found out that this sect has been embroiled in controversy within Australia at least. The swami practicing in northern new south wales was persecuted for sexual abuse and there are some investigations into pedophilia perpetrated by Swami Satyananda on multiple occasions with testimony from the Swami's female assistant. This is a matter of public record and was investigated in an Australian Royal Commission. This leaves a very bad taste. I want to run away from anything related to this sect as fast as possible. But...I can't deny the value in the information contained in this book. I would just like anyone who reads this to be aware of this controversy and to read this book with the practices in mind (that are not the property of the sect but universal wisdom that is the legacy of all humans).
This is THE book for self study of Yoga and Kriya.
My mind seems to be having difficulty finding the right words to expound how great this book is.
Get it, you will not be dissapointed.
UPDATE:
I've since found out that this sect has been embroiled in controversy within Australia at least. The swami practicing in northern new south wales was persecuted for sexual abuse and there are some investigations into pedophilia perpetrated by Swami Satyananda on multiple occasions with testimony from the Swami's female assistant. This is a matter of public record and was investigated in an Australian Royal Commission. This leaves a very bad taste. I want to run away from anything related to this sect as fast as possible. But...I can't deny the value in the information contained in this book. I would just like anyone who reads this to be aware of this controversy and to read this book with the practices in mind (that are not the property of the sect but universal wisdom that is the legacy of all humans).
April 4, 2025
This book is structured like my primary school English textbook. It does not dedicate a whole chapter to a certain topic, but rather spread it out through many chapters.
I read it quite casually, but it does give me insights every time I take a look at. The author can explain a difficult concept really well through his understanding of life and many other religions, which I find very helpful.
I read it quite casually, but it does give me insights every time I take a look at. The author can explain a difficult concept really well through his understanding of life and many other religions, which I find very helpful.
February 25, 2011
A most intense, involved and enlightening bible for tantric yoga.
February 2, 2013
Excellent.
May 22, 2013
If you are looking for a comprehensive Yoga Course and learn from a Master look no further. This is it. When you have this book you need no other.Excellent!
October 22, 2013
THE book for yoga teachers / practitioners!
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February 23, 2016Great...
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