The Truth of Yoga

A succinct, approachable guide to the origins, development, key texts, concepts, and practices of yoga. Yoga is practiced by many millions of people worldwide and is celebrated for its mental, physical, and spiritual benefits. And yet, as Daniel Simpson reveals in The Truth of Yoga, much of what is said about yoga is misleading. For example, the word "yoga" does not always mean union. In fact, in perhaps the discipline's most famous text-the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali-its aim is described as separation: isolating consciousness from everything else. And yoga is not five thousand years old, as is commonly claimed; the earliest evidence of practice dates back about twenty-five hundred years. (Yoga may well be older, but no one can prove it.) The Truth of Yoga is a clear, concise, and accessible handbook for the lay reader that draws upon abundant recent scholarship. It outlines these new findings with practitioners in mind, highlighting ways to keep traditions alive in the twenty-first century.

Daniel Simpson teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, in teacher trainings around the UK, and at Triyoga in London. He is a graduate of Cambridge University and has a master's degree from SOAS University of London.

Introduction Seeking Truth About this Book What is Yoga? Note on Sanskrit 1. Early Yoga Ancient Roots Ascetics and Tapas Seers and Soma Restraint and Ritual Mystic Mantras Saluting the Sun Vedas and Brahmins Is this Hinduism? Cyclical Time Karma, Rebirth and Liberation Renunciation The End of the Vedas Early Upanishads Self-Realization Not This, Not That... Lead Me to the Real! Internalized Focus Rewinding Creation Breath and Consciousness Om and Oneness Seeds of Yoga 2. Classical Yoga Embodied Liberation? Epic Methods Devotional Chanting Gods and Yogis The Meaning of Life War and Peace Acting Wisely Seeing Clearly Meditative Insight The Power of Love Practical Bhakti Trippy Visions Fate and Free Will Finding our Way The Seer and the Seen Nature's Web Sister Systems Patanjali's Yoga Whose Sutras? Reducing Suffering Changing Patterns First Do No Harm Ashtanga and Asana One-Pointed Focus Seeing the Light Divine Awareness Magic Powers Splendid Isolation? Rival Theories 3. Hatha Yoga Transformation What is Tantra? Gurus and Gods Tantric Mantras Mystical Images Six-Part Yoga The Yogic Body Invisible Nadis Imaginary Chakras Raising Kundalini Sacred Geography Uniting Opposites What is Hatha? Yoga for All King of Yogas A Body of Knowledge Practice, Practice... Complex Postures Bodily Remedies Cleansing Actions Breathing and Bandhas Potent Mudras Sex and Yoga Sounds of Silence 4. Modern Yoga Proliferating Postures Expanded Manuals Copy-Paste Primers Missing Links Hidden Inventions Reviving Tradition National Pride Gymnastic Aspects Holistic Health Relax and Revive Indigenous Arts Postural Focus Adjustments and Props Alternative Methods Authenticity vs. Utility What's Appropriate? Power Yoga Yoga Therapy New Directions Conclusion Adaptation Integration