Religiousness in Yoga

Lectures on Theory and Practice

T. K.V. Desikachar, John Ross Carter, Mary Louise Skelton

The value of the book lies in the author's expertise in yogic theory and practice, the questions and responses of the students attending the course, and the many figures designed to facilitate understanding of yogic concepts and practice... both teachers and students will find the book useful as a supplemental text. The questions by the course participants are invaluable to instructors since they reflect the understanding and difficulties of beginning students...

Table of contents

• FOREWORD
• PREFACE
• SANSKRIT PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
• I. Theory: The Meaning and Purpose of Yoga
• II. Practice: The Principles of Practice
• III. Theory: The Concepts of Avidyā and Duḥkha
• IV. Practice: Practice Planning
• V. Theory: Duḥkha and the Concept of Saṃskāra
• VI. Theory: Puruṣa and Prakṛti
• VII. Practice: Improvisation in Āsana
• VIII. Theory: Yama, Niyama and Āsana--The First Three Aṅgas of Yoga
• IX. Practice: The Practical Aspects of Prāṇāyāma
• X. Theory: The Fourth Aṅga--Prāṇāyāma
• XI. Theory: Antaraṅga Sādhana--An Introduction to the Last Four Aṅgas
• XII. Practice: Choosing a Ratio and the Proper Technique for Prāṇāyāma
• XIII. Theory: The Antaraṅga Sādhana, Saṃyama and Kaivalya
• XIV. Practice: The Concept, Preparation, and Techniques of Bandhas
• XV. Theory: Antarāyāḥ, Obstacles to Progress: Techniques to Overcome Them
• XVI. A Session for Questions
• XVII. Various Approaches to Yoga
• XVIII. Theory: The Way the Mind Functions and the Concept of Nirodha
• APPENDIX
• SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY