Veggie Blog

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is a classic Sanskrit treatise consisting of 195 “threads,” or aphorisms, describing the process of liberation through yoga. Although little is known about Patanjali (most scholars estimate that he lived in India circa 200–300 b.c.), his writings have long been recognized as a vital contribution to the philosophy and practice of yoga. This new, expert translation of the original Sanskrit text of Patanjali’s best-known work presents his seminal ideas and methods in accessible, plain-language English.

Patanjali organized the sutra into four parts: Samadhi (absorption), Sadhana (practice), Vibhuti (supernatural powers), and Kaivalya (liberation). Each represents a step in breaking free of our limited definition of consciousness and training the mind to achieve oneness with the universe. Geshe Michael Roach, one of the most respected teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in America and a renowned scholar of Sanskrit, provides authoritative commentary on each of the sutras. His notes and clarification are straightforward and highly readable, untainted by obscure, academic terminology or New Age jargon. The first edition of the Yoga Sutra to present a Buddhist perspective, this paperback original will be welcomed by students and spiritual seekers alike.
Author Bio:
GESHE MICHAEL ROACH is a fully ordained Buddhist monk and has been a teacher of Buddhism since 1981. He is also a scholar of Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Russian, and has translated many works in these languages into English. He founded the Asian Classics Institute and the Asian Classics Input Project and has been active in the restoration of the Sera Mey Tibetan Monastery, where he received his training. He lives in New York and Arizona.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is a foundational ancient text that examines the purpose and practice of yoga. Longtime American Buddhist teacher Roach, who holds the distinguished title of geshe (comparable to a Ph.D. in Buddhist religious studies), provides commentary to McNally’s fresh translation of this aphoristic text from ca. 250 B.C.E. Yoga means union, and this interpretation unites the ways of Buddhism and yoga, making it useful for students of either practice. Roach’s commentary reveals the text’s logic and organization, unpacking its density in 108 short sections, each devoted to a few lines of the text. An index of important ideas in the sutra is helpful. Like any classic sacred text, this one is deceptively simple, inviting study, as Roach notes (“Now that you’ve read this book, you need to use it”). The text is dense and the commentary short, so this is not a book for beginners. The subtitle is misleading: as how-to books go, this is fairly abstract (“Everything we see around us is either at work or at rest”), lacking real anecdotes or examples to illustrate ideas. But for more experienced students and those interested in the intersection between yoga and Buddhism, this is a stimulating presentation of an influential text. (Aug. 16) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Book: The Essential Yoga Sutra by Geshe Michael Roach
View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you)

Best-selling author Darrin Zeer knows it takes two to tango—and two to yoga! His latest winner, Lovers’ Yoga, shows how easy it is for couples to indulge in nurturing, soothing partner exercises to relax, rejuvenate, and create deep, lasting bonds.

Delightfully illustrated, this little handbook outlines 60 surprisingly simple stretches organized into five chapters-Playful, Powerful, Peaceful, Patient, and Passionate. The exercises build on one another, so couples can indulge in one stretch, a chapter sequence, or the entire book from beginning to end. Whether time allows for a few minutes or a few hours, Lovers’ Yoga aims to renew the connection and reignite the passion. Darrin Zeer is the author of several popular books. He traveled in Asia for seven years, studying the Eastern arts of healing. He has appeared widely in the media and currently teaches Lovers’ Yoga workshops at luxurious resorts worldwide. Thorina Rose is a San Francisco-based illustrator. Her whimsical drawings have appeared in Office Kama Sutra and numerous publications.

Darrin Zeer is the author of several popular books, including Office Yoga (0-8118-2685-6), Office Spa (0-8118-3345-3), Office Feng Shui (0-8118-4215-0), and, most recently, Travel Yoga (0-8118-4503-6). He traveled in Asia for seven years, studying the Eastern arts of healing. He has appeared widely in the media and currently teaches Lovers’ Yoga workshops at luxurious resorts worldwide.
Thorina Rose is a San Francisco based illustrator. Her whimsical drawings have appeared in Office Kama Sutra (0-8118-3138-8) and numerous publications.

Book: Lovers’ Yoga by Darrin Zeer
View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you)

Yoga takes our ordinary capacities and extends them exponentially to help us develop an awareness that goes beyond our ordinary personal and human limitations Yoga uses the foundation of the body – its secret energies and natural intelligence – to reach the summits of the spirit.

Yoga is much more than a great exercise system. Yoga has an extraordinary healing potential for both body and mind. Yoga addresses not only structural imbalances in the body, like bone and joint problems, but also organic dysfunctions, including hormonal and immune system disorders. In addition – particularly through its meditation methods – yoga treats nervous system disorders, emotional tension and psychological difficulties of all types from stress to psychosis.

For its healing purposes, yoga is closely aligned with ayurveda, ‘the science of life,’ which can also be called ‘yogic medicine.’ Ayurveda uses diet, herbs, bodywork, pranayama and meditation as part of a holistic system of healing that parallels the practices of yoga relative to the body, mind and spirit. Yoga and ayurveda are sister sciences that grew up from the same root in ancient India. They both reflect a dharmic approach to life, a seeking to keep all beings in harmony with the benefic laws of the universe. As yogic healing becomes emphasized we must naturally turn our gaze to ayurveda as well.

Book: Yoga for Your Type by Dr. David Frawley
View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you)

In Heart Yoga renowned spiritual writer and Sacred Activist Andrew Harvey and longtime yoga teacher Karuna Erickson present a vision of hatha yoga practice that links ancient spiritual traditions to contemporary life. Including excerpts of poetic sacred writing from mystical sages through the ages the book reminds readers that the purpose of yoga is not to improve one’s physical health or even to achieve peace of mind (although these results may be achieved along the way) but to reach a state of unity with the divine the goal of mystics from all traditions. With detailed descriptions and photographs of fifty yoga poses and their alchemical effects on the body and consciousness Heart Yoga presents yoga as a simple meditative practice that enables the practitioner to dwell in the heart and experience the bliss of union with the sacred power underlying all of life. The book explains how to prepare for Heart Yoga and describes the “Five Great Joys” that are part of the path. Included are the authors’ own compelling stories of their individual journeys along the path of yoga: stories of suffering transcendence and joy that both inspire and enlighten. From the Trade Paperback edition.

Book: Heart Yoga by Andrew Harvey
View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you)

This comprehensive, user-friendly guide shows how to apply Yogic principles to the management of multiple sclerosis. Written by a medical doctor and a Yoga teacher who has MS, the book includes photographs and descriptions of each pose; explains effects, advantages, and contraindications; and contains “starter poses” for the novice or the physically challenged.

“For decades, yoga teachers all over the United States have acknowledged the work of Eric Small as the ultimate in helping them work with their own students with MS. No doubt they are now celebrating because Small and long-time yoga student and back expert, Loren Fishman, MD, have produced the definitive book on the topic. Not only does this book offer insight into yoga practice and self-transformation for those living with MS, it also offers something even more important: hope. To say this book will become a classic is an understatement.”–Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD, PT, yoga teacher since 1971, and author of six books on yoga

Book: Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis by Loren Fishman
View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you)