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Yoga is a holistic science promoting specific techniques for integrated development of man’s entire being – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Regular practice of Yoga ensures sound health, sharp intellect, youthful looks, abundant energy, emotional maturity, composure, compassion and spiritual awareness.

This is perhaps the only book that offers all practical aspects of Yoga – Asanas, Pranayama, Shat Karma and meditation. The Pages Are profusely illustrated with photos of Yogic asanas performed by the author and others, making it easy to follow the step-by-step guidelines explaining the techniques for every posture. The specific benefits of each asana are also stated. Suitable for young and old alike, just half an hour of daily Yoga will help you overcome bad habits, improve your personality and make you a better human being in every aspect.

About The Author

Dr. G. Francis Xavier is the Founder-Chairman of TAP Foundation International, an organization dedicated to the philosophy of self-improvement. With a Doctoral Degree in Self-improvement, Dr. Xavier is a member of the Association of international Yoga Therapists, Los Angeles, USA, a full teaching member of International Yoga Teachers’ Association Sydney, Australia as well as a Registered Medical Practitioner in Ayurveda.

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The Bhagavad Gita is replete with universal wisdom and the techniques to attain this.

The Yoga of Gita contains the essence of this wisdom, the philosophy of creation and the Ultimate Reality, as revealed by Sri Krishna to Arjuna.

The book outlines the various paths for realisation. For the layman, the emphasis is on the Yoga of Action – acting without worrying about the rewards for our actions.

The book is a rendition of the 18 chapters, retold in simple language, with a brief account on Yoga and Meditation, which will ensure success, serenity, harmony and happiness for readers who follow these principles, finally leading to Salvation.

What is The Yoga of Gita about?

The book description says the book contains the essence of the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, including the philosophy of creation and the Ultimate Reality as revealed by Sri Krishna to Arjuna.

Who is the author?

The author named in the title is Dr. Ram Shanker Tiwari.

What will I learn from it?

It outlines the various paths for realisation. For the layman the emphasis is on the Yoga of Action, meaning acting without worrying about the rewards of our actions. It also has a brief account of yoga and meditation.

Who is it for?

The book description says the book is a rendition of the 18 chapters retold in simple language, with the emphasis for “the layman” on the Yoga of Action.

Summary based on the book description on Amazon.

What is the Bhagavad Gita, and why do people link it with yoga?

The Bhagavad Gita is a section of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, presented as a conversation between the warrior Arjuna and Krishna before a battle. In it, “yoga” is used in a wide sense, including the discipline of action, devotion and knowledge, rather than postures. That is why a text called the “Yoga of the Gita” may have little to say about exercise.

The NCCIH guidance on yoga notes that yoga began as a spiritual practice rooted in Indian philosophy, and that the Western version typically emphasizes physical postures, breathing and meditation. Seeing the two uses side by side shows how far the word has travelled.

Many editions and commentaries exist, and interpretations differ, so a reader can compare more than one. No health claim should be taken from a scripture. For physical practice, learn from a qualified instructor. If you have a health condition, check with your doctor before physical practice.

Related reading on this blog: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: The Eight Limbs of Yoga Explained and Hatha Yoga Beyond the Workout: What “Hatha” Means, Its Traditional Aim and How to Practice Safely

Book: The Yoga of GITA by Dr. Ram Shanker Tiwari
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1922. Including the practices and exercises of concentration, both objective and subjective, and active and passive mentation, an elucidation of Maya, guru worship and the worship of the terrible, also the mystery of will force.

What is inside the book?

The listed topics are exercises of concentration, both objective and subjective, active and passive mentation, an explanation of Maya, guru worship, worship of the terrible and the mystery of will force.

What kind of book is The Doctrine and Practice of Yoga?

The description starts with the year 1922 and then lists the contents. The author named in the title is Swami Mukerji.

This summary is based on the book description on the Amazon page. The description is short, so check the Amazon page for the full contents.

How should I choose a yoga teacher or guide?

Older yoga texts often assume a close relationship between student and teacher. Today the equivalent decision is practical: whom do you learn from and how do you know they are qualified? The NIH yoga summary from NCCIH says to ask about the instructor’s training and experience and that learning on your own without supervision has been associated with increased risks.

Reasonable checks are a clear explanation of what a class involves, willingness to adapt poses, openness about limits of their expertise and respect for your boundaries. Be wary of anyone who discourages medical care, demands unquestioning obedience or claims unique secret powers.

Concentration exercises, which the book’s older title mentions, are attention practices. Start with a few minutes, and if you feel distressed, stop. The NIH meditation summary from NCCIH notes that a review found a negative experience in about 8 percent of participants. A doctor or therapist is the right person to ask about mental health. Take your time deciding, and ask to watch a class first. Trust grows over time, so there is no need to commit quickly.

Related reading on this blog: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: The Eight Limbs of Yoga Explained and What Is Yoga?

Book: The Doctrine and Practice of Yoga by Swami Mukerji
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This book is addressed to everyone who desires to evolve and transcend the limits of human potential. It reveals the laws of the universe that are well-defined in the Yogic Philosophy; laws that are exposed here in a unique, succinct fashion by Caio Miranda. Liberation through Yoga is the result of a lifetime dedicated to the research of yoga. It becomes a landmark in our lives for it refines our vision of the world, opens a portal to a broader consciousness, and delivers teachings that awaken us to a richer, fuller life. These teachings are rare jewels, and the benefits they provide are invaluable, given the depth and clarity with which the author exposes complex subjects such as the formation of the universes and solar systems, as well as the origin and constitution of Man. The writing style reflects the authenticity of the author and his pledge to the truth and to what he believes to be morally just and correct. This work is his contribution to a deeper and more extensive understanding of life and the sense of existence itself.

Book: Liberation Through Yoga by Caio Miranda
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These lectures Delivered at the 32nd Anniversary of the Theosophical Society held at Benares, on Dec. 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th, 1907.] are intended to give an outline of Yoga, in order to prepare the student to take up, for practical purposes, the Yoga sutras of Patanjali, the chief treatise on Yoga. I have on hand, with my friend Bhagavan Das as collaborateur, a translation of these Sutras, with Vyasa’s commentary, and a further commentary and elucidation written in the light of Theosophy. These have never been finished or printed.] To prepare the student for the mastering of that more difficult task, these lectures were designed; hence the many references to Patanjali. They may, however, also serve to give to the ordinary lay reader some idea of the Science of sciences, and perhaps to allure a few towards its study.

Who is An Introduction to Yoga meant for?

The Amazon description says the lectures prepare the student for the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, but may also give the ordinary lay reader some idea of yoga, and perhaps encourage a few to study it.

Who is behind An Introduction to Yoga?

The author named in the title is Annie Besant. The speaker in the description says a translation of the Sutras with commentary was in preparation with Bhagavan Das but had never been finished or printed.

What topics does it cover?

The topic is yoga, in the form of an outline from lectures given in December 1907 at the Theosophical Society in Benares. The text refers often to Patanjali because the lectures were designed as preparation for the Sutras.

This summary is based on the book description on the Amazon page.

How should I read a century-old lecture on yoga?

A lecture series from 1907 is best read as a historical source. Terminology, translations and even the picture of what yoga is for have all moved on, so check unfamiliar terms against a modern reference. Questions worth asking include who the audience was, what the speaker wanted them to take from it and which claims were beliefs rather than observations.

Modern research on yoga is mostly about practices such as postures and breathing, studied for stress, sleep, pain and balance. The NCCIH guidance on yoga summarises that evidence and cautions that results depend on the style. An old lecture will not tell you what current studies show, and the reverse is also true.

If you decide to try anything a text describes, learn it under a qualified teacher and tell your doctor, particularly if you have a medical condition.

More on this blog: A Short History of Yoga: From Ancient Texts to Hatha Classes and a Record Number of Americans and What Is Yoga?

Book: An Introduction to Yoga by Annie Besant
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