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The Path of Yoga: An Essential Guide to Its Principles and Practices
The best-selling beginner’s guide to the history, schools, practices, and philosophy of the ancient Yoga tradition —from a renowned Yoga scholar
This overview of the essentials of Yoga is meant to both broaden and deepen the understanding of beginning students. It covers all the basic elements of this ancient discipline and philosophy of India—including Yoga poses, diet, breath control, meditation, mantras, Kundalini energy, and more. It also includes newly translated excerpts from the scriptures and pays special attention to branches of Yoga, such as Tantra, that are of great interest to Western students but are frequently misunderstood.
This overview of the essentials of Yoga is meant to both broaden and deepen the understanding of beginning students. It covers all the basic elements of this ancient discipline and philosophy of India—including Yoga poses, diet, breath control, meditation, mantras, Kundalini energy, and more. It also includes newly translated excerpts from the scriptures and pays special attention to branches of Yoga, such as Tantra, that are of great interest to Western students but are frequently misunderstood.
180 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 1996
35 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Georg Feuerstein
127 books101 followersGeorg A. Feuerstein was an Indologist and, according to his associate Ken Wilber, among the foremost Westerns scholar-practitioners of yoga. After doing his postgraduate research at Durham University in England, he moved to the United States, eventually settling in Canada with his wife and sometime co-author Brenda.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 6, 2015
Though it comes off as dry and academic to some readers, I felt that the author spoke very clearly and in a straightforward manner about some yoga concepts that are difficult to understand. Though I've read about them elsewhere they made more sense to me in the context and language of this book.
December 13, 2010
I have read a number of books on Yoga and a few by Georg Feuerstein and I wish I had started with this one as it would have made some of the others easier to follow. This is a good introduction to what Yoga really is; a spiritual path to self-enlightenment. It is neither too long nor too complicated but it does give a good introduction to the many diverse aspects of yoga life.
"...in the West, Yoga is frequently reduced to fitness training bereft of any reference to its original spiritual purpose. While such reductionistic Yoga practice may prove helpful to some people in maintianing or restoring their physical health, it must not be mistaken for authentic Yoga. It would be best to give it a different name so as not to mislead anyone, but this is unlikely to happen."
"There is no doubt that our world is in dire need of the nectar of wisdom flowing from those who have transcended the ego-personality and realized the Self and whose only concern is the enlightenment of others. The drone of our technological civilization has largely deafened us to their voices. But they continue to gift us with their wisdom and their spiritual presence. All we need to do to benefit from their incessant transmission of light is to become quiet and listen to our own hearts. This is where Yoga begins, unfolds, and fulfills itslef."
"...in the West, Yoga is frequently reduced to fitness training bereft of any reference to its original spiritual purpose. While such reductionistic Yoga practice may prove helpful to some people in maintianing or restoring their physical health, it must not be mistaken for authentic Yoga. It would be best to give it a different name so as not to mislead anyone, but this is unlikely to happen."
"There is no doubt that our world is in dire need of the nectar of wisdom flowing from those who have transcended the ego-personality and realized the Self and whose only concern is the enlightenment of others. The drone of our technological civilization has largely deafened us to their voices. But they continue to gift us with their wisdom and their spiritual presence. All we need to do to benefit from their incessant transmission of light is to become quiet and listen to our own hearts. This is where Yoga begins, unfolds, and fulfills itslef."
August 3, 2011
A great primer for those who wish to explore the real breadth of Yoga. Chapter by chapter unfolds each petal of Yoga practice, stretching far past explanations of asana. While Feuerstein does a great job of explaining these facets in summarization, each vast topic requires much further exploration. Overall, he pulls from a wide variety of respected sources and writes from a genuine place of passion for the subject.
January 12, 2015
Good historical overview of yoga
October 3, 2008
A good well-rounded guide to many aspects of yoga. The book places yoga in its historical and cultural context helping to define the discipline in modern times.
March 5, 2013
Feuerstein gives a great introduction into the different lineages, meanings and practices of yoga. His chapters allow the reader to focus on specific aspects of yoga ( Breathing, Meditation, Mantra) and gives a very clear understanding of how yoga practice has developed and evolved overtime. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Yoga and wants to know the different aspects of this spiritual practice.
April 1, 2012
Absolutely beautiful. My only regret is that I was on a time schedule to finish it and read it rather quickly. I would like to read it again and be able to take notes. It is a good introduction and overview of the 'philosophy of yoga'.
November 4, 2012
great deep but accessible intro to the philosophy behind yoga. highly recommended.
June 22, 2021
This is an excellent overview of Yoga being put forward by someone truly intimate with his topic. Easy to read, clear and precise. If you're just beginning to explore Yoga and eastern philosophy this is an excellent place to start. This is not an exercise book! It's about Yoga and the true aim of yogic practice. A "goodread" to be sure with plenty of resources listed for additional reading. Highly recommended.
April 7, 2023
An excellent synthesis of available information on yoga without diluting any of the ideas. It is the best comprehensive book for the first step into the subject. The rich notes and references are sufficient to embark on a higher-level trajectory of learning and practice. A good book worth keeping in all libraries.
November 7, 2019
A very decent overview of key concepts of what Yoga is. lmportant, short, and comprehensive summary read for those that are, as I feel I am, growing out of perception of yoga as physical practice only and feeling they want to understand broader and deeper aspects
May 19, 2018
Strips away the mainstream misconceptions of yoga and tells you whats really going on.
April 29, 2020
Una bella base spirituale.
May 31, 2023
Good read and easy to understand
January 8, 2017
Good overview but some parts could have given more detail.
April 29, 2012
This is a good introductory survey of the field of yoga by the man who is probably the most popular yoga scholar around. I emphasize the word popular because I’m not actually sure how much cutting edge research (new translations, scholarly publications, etc) he’s actually doing these days. Probably not much, since Feuerstein is now retired, but his books are generally so approachable that for people who want coverage of yoga’s intellectual heritage, he is often the go-to man.
This particular offering is definitely for those just getting themselves wet in this area. It covers the basic branches of yoga (raja, karma, bhakti, jnana etc), the guru relationship, ethical precepts, purification practices, diet, breath, mantras and, of course, all the more esoteric stuff about kundalini and left-handed sexual practices everyone loves. Libraries could be filled by the tomes on such fare, so for a book under 200 pages this can’t be anything more than cursory, an almost bullet-point like survey.
And that’s okay, provided it’s what you’re looking for. Anyone who wants to do asanas will need to look elsewhere. The same goes if you’re interested in some particular facet of yogic practice or theory, say concerning the chakras, or specs on hatha yoga, the yamas, or how to eat according to your dosha, etc. It is what it is–a survey for new entrants–and that’s all it is. If you’re new and just finding your way around the world of yoga, it’s a great book. If you’re already pretty well-informed and want to start fleshing out some of yoga’s more rarefied nooks and crannies, look elsewhere–e.g. the author’s The Deeper Dimension of Yoga: Theory and Practice.
This particular offering is definitely for those just getting themselves wet in this area. It covers the basic branches of yoga (raja, karma, bhakti, jnana etc), the guru relationship, ethical precepts, purification practices, diet, breath, mantras and, of course, all the more esoteric stuff about kundalini and left-handed sexual practices everyone loves. Libraries could be filled by the tomes on such fare, so for a book under 200 pages this can’t be anything more than cursory, an almost bullet-point like survey.
And that’s okay, provided it’s what you’re looking for. Anyone who wants to do asanas will need to look elsewhere. The same goes if you’re interested in some particular facet of yogic practice or theory, say concerning the chakras, or specs on hatha yoga, the yamas, or how to eat according to your dosha, etc. It is what it is–a survey for new entrants–and that’s all it is. If you’re new and just finding your way around the world of yoga, it’s a great book. If you’re already pretty well-informed and want to start fleshing out some of yoga’s more rarefied nooks and crannies, look elsewhere–e.g. the author’s The Deeper Dimension of Yoga: Theory and Practice.
October 31, 2018
I really loved this book, full of great advice, philosophical Yoga advice and some really good yogi ideas and views on a yoga life, practice and just life in general. Easy to read, but I recommend reading slower, in order to mull over the ideas and instructions give. Also has some history of Yoga and good ideas on being both a yogi doer and instructor.
April 7, 2012
Overview of yoga. This is definitely not Lululemon - book is Intense and its paradigm-shifting ideas will have one questioning one's Western worldviews and one's relationships to others, to oneself, to the present, and to eternity.
January 28, 2013
Very, very informative but a bit dry at times. I may have to re-read a few chapters as I wasn't familiar with all of the concepts and terminology and sort of just scanned through them. The author also co-wrote Yoga for Dummies which was a much easier read for a beginner like myself.
February 20, 2013
Good intro to some basic ideas but fairly narrow scope in discussion of what we call 'yoga'
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October 23, 2014Shambhala Guide to Yoga By Georg Feuerstein Seems to have changed names.
ZThe Shambhala Guide to Yoga 1/10/2014 Georg Feuerstein
ok
but too tec
ZThe Shambhala Guide to Yoga 1/10/2014 Georg Feuerstein
ok
but too tec
February 28, 2015
Awesome book...! It's the best path of yoga to understand its essence.
August 12, 2012
CONCISE BUT THOROUGH ON THE REAL MEANING OF YOGA
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews