The Mirror of Yoga

by FREEMAN, RICHARD

• ISBN13: 9781590309445
• ISBN10: 1590309448
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2012-03-13
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

The world of yoga is astonishingly rich in its array of schools and practices. Yet, as diverse as they seem, they share a common aim: the discovery of the essence of existence that can be found at the core of our being, and the liberation that comes from that discovery. With this worthy goal in mind, Richard Freeman presents an enlightening overview of the many teachings, practices, and scriptures that serve as the basis for all the schools of yoga-hatha, bhakti, jnana, karma, tantra, and others. He shows how the myriad forms are ultimately related, and can even be perceived to make up a vast, interpenetrating matrix, symbolizing the unity, profundity, and beauty of the ancient tradition. Richard's wide-ranging discussion includes the Upanisads and Samkhya philosophies, theYoga Sutraof Patanjali, the eight limbs of astanga yoga, the process and purpose of hatha yoga, and much more. He also explores the role of the guru, chanting, meditation, and the yogic imperative of offering service to others. All of this is applied to the actual practice, giving the reader the tools to digest and apply the wealth of information to daily life.The Mirror of Yogawill be a welcome resource to all yogis who wish to better practice the profound philosophy underlying their practice.

Author Biography

Richard Freeman has been a student of yoga since of 1968. His background includes studying Ashtanga, Iyengar, bhakti, and traditional hatha yoga; Western and Eastern philosophy; and Sanskrit; all of which he incorporates into the Ashtanga yoga practice as taught by his principle teacher, K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Richard teaches at his studio, the Yoga Workshop, in Boulder, Colorado, as well as at studios and conferences throughout the world. His video series, Yoga with Richard Freeman, has inspired many people to take up yoga.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. ix
Phases of the Practice and Classical Forms of Yoga	p. 1
The Body and Mind as Fields of Experience	p. 19
The Process of Hatha Yoga: Union of Sun and Moon	p. 37
The Roots of the Practice	p. 63
Buddhi and Context	p. 85
The Bhagavad Gita and the Unfolding of Love	p. 105
Tantra and the Radiant Earth	p. 133
The Yoga Sutra	p. 149
Cutting Through Fundamentalism	p. 183
Acknowledgments	p. 215
Sanskrit Pronunciation Guide	p. 217
Chanting	p. 221
Glossary	p. 227
Index	p. 235
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