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The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice |
Author: Georg Feuerstein
Published: 2001-10-31 |
List price: $29.95
Our price: $19.77
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As of: January 07th, 2009 08:46:33 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Dry, academic, boring
If you are looking for an encyclopedia of yoga this book is a reasonable consideration. It is, however, very dry, fact-filled, clinical, and boring. I have practiced yoga daily for over 36 years. I also teach yoga. I appreciate the scholarship contained in this book. But it is too academic for most readers. Most readers will want something more engaging from the text. Perhaps this book will serve the needs of those who want a reference book for their bookshelf. Namaste.
 A fine academic textbook Introduction to yoga
While doing my undergraduate and graduate work I referred to this text quite often. It was the only comprehensive, modern, accessible text on yoga that I could find as a suitable basis to my research. Unlike most other texts that I've come across, this one addresses the current state of yoga in the West. This text intellectual, yet Feuerstein has been a practitioner of yoga for some time therefore his writing reflects a bit of experiential insight. The text is well organized and covers all the fundamentals. As I continue to go deeper into this vast subject, it is clear to me that a single thorough rendering of the history of yoga would be an impossible task for one person.
The text begins with a definition of yoga, then moves into the six schools of yoga, then a brief history of yoga, and then on to all of the various yoga traditions, including Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, and Sikh traditions as well as many of the sectarian movements. Many Americans seem particularly fond of Patanjali's yoga. So, these readers may be pleased to find that chapter nine is devoted entirely to Patanjali.
When I began working with this text, I had already been involved in a yoga tradition for sometime and was learning about the philosophy and practice via this tradition alone. While my teacher is Indian and my practices are rooted in the ancient traditions of India, the yoga tradition I am connected to is Westernized in some ways and my practices are a Westernized version of yoga. What this text did for me was introduce me to a broader intellectual viewpoint of traditional yoga history and philosophy. Since then I've explored the works of other authors, both yoga adepts and yoga scholars alike. Rare is it to see a combination of both. Feurestein reveals himself as both a scholar and a practitioner though more so a scholar. For those like me who tend to lean toward the first person experiential approach toward yoga, reading the works of Feuerstein and other scholars will provide greater understanding of their modern, perhaps Western, version of yoga practice.
A great book
It is not easy to understand the origins and structure and background of something. Here you have a helpful tool
Incredible book and incredible value. Fills in a lot of missing pieces for people.
When this book came in the mail and I started looking through it I was absolutely thrilled. It provides a great overview of the yoga tradition by a scholar-practioner with over 30 years experience studying and practicing. I have similar books that cost much more than this and they are good, but not necessarily as readable as this volume.
In brief, this book covers the scope of yoga and lays a foundation for an overview of the various branches of yoga. In talks about the history of the yoga tradition and does so in an engaging way, even if you aren't a big history buff. In my opinion, it provides just the right amount of detail.
This title also looks at the yoga tradition within Buddhism and the relationship between Buddhism and Hinduism. It also helps the reader to sort out all the various sacred texts, how they are related to each other and even provides sample readings.
The treatment of the classic yoga, the post-classical period and the flowering of the tradition is interesting and informative. It also talks about tantric traditions and modern movements and scholars such as Sri Aurobindo. The author also provides a great framework and organizes all of this information in an easy and enjoyable read.
If you have ever been confused over the historical details of the various yoga traditions, the overlap or relationships between them, this text will set you on the right path. It also has an excellent glossary, comprehensive index and an above average bibilography. For about $20.00 this book delivers a lot of value. I recommend it without reservation to anyone interested in the evolution of yoga at any level of practice.
 Reads like a college textbook
This book reads like a college textbook. It is full of essay-like information, but it is not so engaging. The author, writer of Yoga for Dummies, is a yoga adept in a buddhist tradition, has a phd in Indian theology and sanskrit, he even translates some ancient texts into English for the first time in his books including this one. The book is seperated into a dozen chapters, each focusing on an aspect of ancient yoga culture, from the teacher-student relationship or one of the last chapter focusing on the rise of tantric yoga from which hatha is spawned. What you won't find here is instruction for yoga practice. I would say the information book is indispensable for persons with professional reasons.. yoga teacher, or other pedagogic purposes. But it is mostly dry... It is not an inspiring book.. Those just getting started in the history of yoga might benefit from lighter reading elsewhere.
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