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The Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa is not a general yoga exercise book. Edited, introduced and translated by Glenn H. Mullin, it brings together important texts from Tibetan Buddhism concerning an advanced Vajrayana meditation tradition. Readers looking for the history, literature and context of these practices will find a very different experience from the yoga books usually found in a fitness section.

What are the Six Yogas of Naropa?

The tradition is associated with the Indian masters Tilopa and Naropa and its transmission to Tibet through Marpa the Translator. The six practices are often described as inner heat, illusory body, clear light, consciousness transference, forceful projection and bardo yoga. These are technical practices within Tibetan Buddhism, and their names alone do not explain their meaning or method.

What does the book contain?

The publisher describes a collection of foundational writings, including texts attributed to Tilopa and Naropa and later contributions from Tibetan teachers. Alongside translations and historical material, it contains a practice manual and discussions of how the Six Yogas continued through different lineages. The value of this compilation lies in access to primary religious materials with explanatory context, not in a list of quick exercises for stress relief.

Who is Glenn H. Mullin?

Mullin is known for translating and writing about Tibetan Buddhist traditions. For this particular publication, Shambhala Publications explicitly credits him as editor, translator and author of the introduction. Giving that credit accurately matters because the collection includes historical texts by other teachers rather than representing a single modern author’s original yoga system.

Is it suitable for someone new to meditation?

It is best approached as a serious study text. The publisher’s reader’s guide to Naropa states that the Six Yogas are advanced tantric practices requiring close guidance from a qualified teacher. Reading about them can be an introduction to their historical and doctrinal setting, but the book should not be treated as authorization to attempt the practices independently.

How is this different from everyday mindfulness?

Mindfulness exercises offered in many contemporary settings usually focus on present-moment attention and awareness. The NCCIH meditation overview is useful for learning about those general approaches. The Six Yogas of Naropa, however, belong to a specific religious tradition with its own purposes, teachings and requirements. They should not be presented as interchangeable.

Is the original book available?

Yes. The publisher currently lists the paperback The Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa (ISBN 9781559392563) as available.

Related on Veggie-Blog: Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses and The Path of Yoga. These discuss different traditions.

Book: The Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa, edited and translated by Glenn H. Mullin
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What happens when you mix the control and concentration of yoga with light strength training? That is the idea behind Iron Yoga, a workout book by triathlete Anthony Carillo, written with Eric Neuhaus. Instead of treating yoga and weight training as completely separate activities, the method combines familiar poses with dumbbell movements.

What is the Iron Yoga approach?

The publisher describes a full-body programme that adds light to moderate weights to more than 25 yoga postures. The goal is to work muscles in the arms, shoulders, chest, back and core while moving deliberately and paying attention to breathing. The book includes photographs demonstrating the positions. It is best understood as a structured fitness routine, not a traditional manual of yoga philosophy.

Who wrote the book?

Anthony Carillo developed the method while training for an Ironman triathlon. An important bibliographic detail missing from some older descriptions is that Eric Neuhaus is also credited as a co-author by the publisher. Both names are included below to make it easier for readers to find the correct title and edition.

Can you combine yoga and weights safely?

It can be enjoyable, but the combination adds complexity. Balancing while holding a weight may place extra demands on wrists, shoulders and the lower back. Beginners should first learn the unweighted movements, then try very light weights only if they can maintain control. Avoid forcing twists or taking a loaded joint beyond its comfortable range of motion.

The World Health Organization’s physical activity guidance encourages adults to include muscle-strengthening activity alongside aerobic exercise. That general guidance does not mean every hybrid workout is suitable for every person. The NCCIH yoga safety guide also reminds readers that sprains and strains are possible. Anyone recovering from injury should seek appropriate advice before starting a loaded yoga sequence.

Are the promised results realistic?

The older promotional description emphasizes rapid body sculpting. Real progress depends on consistency, recovery, nutrition, training level and the rest of your activity. A book can offer ideas and structure, but it cannot promise a particular physique or timetable. Treat it as a potentially interesting workout option rather than a shortcut to fitness.

Can the book still be purchased?

The title is still listed as an e-book by Penguin Random House. Readers interested in a paper copy should check individual retailers, as print availability may vary.

Related reading: Preventing Sports Injuries and Sports Fitness.

Book: Iron Yoga by Anthony Carillo with Eric Neuhaus
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Exercise and cholesterol: how physical activity helps

Cholesterol is a substance found in every human body. It is one of the many things the body produces in order to function properly.

Unfortunately, a diet high in sugar, saturated fat and alcohol can do more harm than good. Over time it raises the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

The good news is that there are ways to prevent this before it happens. It takes some effort and hard work, especially as the body becomes less forgiving with age.

Why exercise helps

Along with eating less and improving your diet, exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve your cholesterol. Regular activity raises your heart rate, helps with weight control, raises HDL (the good cholesterol) and can modestly lower LDL and triglycerides.

Getting started safely

Those who have not exercised before should first talk to a doctor to find out what is safe. People with a heart condition may not be able to do strenuous exercise and may need low-impact activities such as walking, stretching or light weights.

If the doctor says the patient can do more intense exercise, options include running, swimming, aerobics and cycling. The right type of activity depends on several factors, not only medical history, but also gender, age and weight.

The doctor can recommend an activity, and the person can pass this on to a fitness instructor so they know what is safe. From there, an exercise program can be made, and all the patient has to do is follow it.

After a month or two, there are often improvements in good and bad cholesterol levels, as well as some weight loss.

Exercise works best together with a healthy diet, and it does not replace medication. If your doctor has prescribed a cholesterol-lowering drug, keep taking it and ask before making changes; for many people, medicine and exercise work together to lower cholesterol.

Easy ways to be more active

If you do not have time to go to a gym, there are other ways to work your muscles and raise your heart rate. For starters, you can go for a brisk walk early in the morning or before work.

Some companies and hospitals encourage people to walk up one or two flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator. If your workplace has a big parking lot, you can park a little further from the door and walk the extra distance.

During any exercise, it is best to drink plenty of water. This prevents dehydration, which can lead to exhaustion. Instead of going to the fountain every few minutes, bring a water bottle.

This saves time and lets you keep pace with the group activity or the work you are doing on the machine.

Someone once said that health is wealth. By exercising, you can improve your cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease, unlike those who know the dangers but never make any lifestyle changes.

The Synthesis of Yoga is Sri Aurobindo’s principle work on yoga, comparing the methods of the various schools of traditional yoga, and providing the comprehensive way for following the true path to Divine consciousness. It is the primary work on Integral Yoga, the system of yoga that Sri Aurobindo developed.

The book originally appeared in serial form in Arya, published between 1914 and 1921.

Synthesis on Yoga is divided into four parts: the Yoga of Divine Works, of Integral Knowledge, of Divine Love, and of Self Perfection. The first three correspond to the three-fold yoga of the Bhagavad Gita (i.e. karma-, jnana-, and bhakti-yoga), while the last (incomplete) section gives Sri Aurobindo’s own development and synthesis of these three paths.

Sri Aurobindo revised the text of the book during three distinct periods. These are: In the 1920s, mostly minor corrections to certain chapters; a full-scale revision during or around 1932, with a view to publishing The Synthesis as a book; and during the early 1940s, further work on the later chapters of Part I, as well as beginning two new chapters, which he apparently intended to add to this part, but which he abandoned before completion. During the later part of the 1940s, Sri Aurobindo lightly revised the entire first part of the Synthesis while preparing it for publication.

Book: Synthesis of Yoga by Sri Aurobindo
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Bring the ancient practice of yoga from the mat into the bedroom—with electrifying results!

There’s no doubt about it: Yoga is sexy. With skimpy yoga outfits, graceful moves, deep breathing, and poses like Downward Dog, it’s no wonder yoga can leave you feeling a little turned on. Now the Better Sex Through Yoga program allows you to bring that yoga-sexiness right into the bedroom—and take your sex drive to unimaginable new heights.

A combination of traditional yoga poses, Pilates, and dance, along with twenty mind-blowing sex positions, Better Sex Through Yoga is guaranteed to tone up your body and turn up the heat on your lovemaking. Targeting the muscles of your sexual core to strengthen your pelvis, hips, and abdomen, the program also works the PC muscles, a little-known muscle group that prolongs and intensifies sexual pleasure. Each of the routines will increase your stamina, enhance your flexibility, and jumpstart your libido for deeper, longer, more frequent orgasms. You can try:

The Honeymoon… ignites the spark and gets you in the best sexual shape of your life
Hot Date Prep… leaves you feeling frisky, relaxed, and glowing as you head out the door
Bedtime Bootie… fast, loose, and hot, this quickie routine revs you up before hitting the sheets
Flexy Makes Sexy… opens the door for incredible new positions and heightened sexual pleasure
And seven more steamy yoga sequences

Soon your sex life will be sizzling and you’ll be feeling more confident in the bedroom and beyond. Working out has never been this good—or satisfying!

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