Interesting Yoga Books – Bionicoldguy

I recently read two interesting Yoga books from AlistAir Shearer, an expert translator of Sanskrit and Yoga historian. The first is his translation and commentary on Patanjali’s yoga sutras. This is often used as a justification for Hatha Yoga, which in the West has developed most in what Shirar calls « bodily yoga » with an emphasis on stretching and other exercise. There is a small emphasis on « mind yoga », except for a brief guided meditation at the end of the hours, usually while lying in « corpse« .

The sutras are a series of short sayings that are essentially added to a meditation guide. Eight yoga limbs are learning. The first two relate to ethical behavior, a series of 5 « DOS » and 5 « Dons ». The third is for Asanas, where the confusion for Hatha Yoga arises. Asanas are poses or poses that are common in yoga hours. But in the sutras it is quite clear that what is being said is the right posture for meditation, essentially sitting with the upright spine, in a position that can help comfortably for a long period, but is not favorable to fall asleep. The fourth limb is Pranayamaor breathing exercises designed to calm us down to prepare for meditation. The rest of the eight limbs are consistent stages in meditation, starting with the « download of the senses », then concentration, meditation, and finally Samadhi or union with our true natures. This union is what yoga really applies and the meaning of the whole endeavor.

In the second book The history of yogaShearer is pieces as possible, the whole history of yoga to the present day. He makes a clear distinction in the evolution of « mind » and « body » in the book. Tracking history is difficult because it disappears back into the fog of time and often written records are insufficient. But it still makes a fascinating story. We are lucky in the West that this great gift of many years of wisdom has migrated here from India.