Foundations of Yoga

A guide to the complete yogic teachings of Sri Shyam Sundar Goswami by his disciple and spiritual heir • Shows how to enrich your physical Yoga practice by embracing and integrating Hatha Yoga's metaphysical, spiritual, and psychological traditions • Explores the energy-focusing movements known as mudras and purification methods that can boost metabolism, reinforce muscles, and facilitate advanced sexual practices Foundations of Yoga presents the full and rigorous yogic training of traditional Hatha Yoga as taught by renowned Indian Yoga master the late Sri Shyam Sundar Goswami. Written by his disciple and spiritual heir, the book emphasizes metaphysical, spiritual, and psychological cultivation in addition to physical practice. It offers Yoga practitioners and teachers a way to enrich and advance their physical Yoga practice through a deeper understanding of physiology, psychology, philosophy, and spirituality centered on vedic and tantric principles. Woven together with stories from Sri Shyam Sundar Goswami's life, the book explains pratyâhâra (control of the senses), châranâ (yogic bodybuilding), mental concentration exercises, and the energy-focusing and purifying muscular-control movements known as mudras, including the metabolism-boosting mahamudra and advanced pelvic mudras and sexual practices to transcend the ego. The book explores methods of internal purification such as dhauti (cleansing of the stomach with air or water), vasti (intestinal cleansing), neti (nasal cleansing), trâtaka (visual concentration exercises), and kapâlabhâti (diaphragmatic hyperventilation) and shows how these purifications are necessary before beginning the advanced breathing practices of prânayâma to eradicate deep internal impurities and strengthen the immune system. Exploring the philosophy of Yoga, the book shares meditative exercises for introspection, expanding consciousness, and seeking your true divine nature. As the teachings and life of Sri S. S. Goswami show, by strengthening the body, vital force, and mind, one can master all three for a long, healthy, harmonious life.

Basile P. Catoméris is the disciple and spiritual heir of Sri Shyam Sundar Goswami. Devoting his life to the study and practice of yogic traditions, he studied under Sri S. S. Goswami from 1956 until his death in 1978, whereupon he took over Sri S. S. Goswami's teaching duties at the Goswami Yoga Institute in Sweden. In December 1983, he was granted yogic final initiation (brahma mantra diksha) by Ma Santi Devi, Sri Goswami's "spiritual mother." He lives in southern France.

Foreword by Gunnar Adler-Karlsson Preface Acknowledgments Introduction: At the Feet of the “Lion of Bengal” The Life of Sri Shyam Sundar Goswami My Meeting with a Yoga Master Sri Goswami's Yoga Teaching 1 Origins and Objectives of Yoga Reflections on the Sacred Texts of India The Yogic Path 2 Science and Spirituality Two Paths of Evolution The Possibility of Fusion 3 Yoga in Daily Life A Lack of Mastery Accessing the Infinite According to Yoga Physical Conditions of the Spiritual Life Yogic Sublimity 4 Yama--Ethical Rules Ahimsa Satya Asteya Brahmacarya Aparigraha 5 Niyama--Self-Regulation Sauca Santosa Tapas Svadhyaya Isvarapranidhana 6 Asanas--Postures Static Exercises Dynamic Exercises 7 Carana--Yogic Bodybuilding Contraction and Control Exercises Abdominal Control Pelvic Control Mudras--Exercises of Control 8 Yogic Sexual Mastery Sexual Fusion The Five “M”s 9 Sat Karman--Purifications Internal Purifications Advanced Exercises of Control 10 Pranayama--Respiratory Control Prana Nadis and Vayus Practice of the Discipline Nadi Suddhi Svara Yoga 11 Pratyahara--Control of the Senses 12 Stages of Concentration Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi Samprajñata Samadhi Asamprajñata Samadhi The “Royal Way” Mantra Yoga and Laya Yoga Postures for Concentration Conclusion: Leading a Modern Life with Classic Yoga Note on the Pronunciation of Transliterated Sanskrit Words Glossary Index