Hatha Yoga by Yogi Ramacharaka is blowing my mind. I first read his prequel, Science of Breath, which taught me numerous astonishingly invaluable lessons in the breath, how proper breathing provides us with incredible health, energy, and prosperity, and how we have neglected proper breathing techniques for over a millenia, leading to various illnesses and diseases. 12 chapters into Hatha Yoga, and not a single mention (yet) of stretching/physical exercise, which most of western civilization has been led to believe is all what yoga is about. It is so much more! There are many types of yoga, each with a different purpose (some physical, some mental, some spiritual, some astral, etc). Hatha in specific is about developing, controlling, and strengthening the physical body so as to render it a fit instrument of the higher self. This includes teachings about the air we breathe, to the food we eat; how we breathe, and how we eat; how it impacts our organs, our muscles, our nervous system, which also impacts our mind - and of course, physical exercise having a detrimental impact as well. To any readers out there who are interested/curious about yoga, before hopping into any yoga program you see out on the streets, take a moment of your own time to learn its ancient, traditional eastern teachings to fully understand the wonderful capabilities yoga offers, and compare differences from eastern teachings to that of western teachings. This author gracefully puts everything together for you, from a completely unbiased standpoint, put in terms anyone from western civilization can understand (no confusing sanskrit terms). The best part is that if you so chose to take action of any of the teachings, you do so internally in your psyche, subconsciously, again, at your own choice, which makes it completely effortless - little desire remains as to whether or not you should go back to old, dirty, unhealthy habits. The pros and cons are clearly weighed, along with westernized scientific backing, allowing any new lifestyle changes you make to be a no brainer. This book is the jam!
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 21:26:27 +0000