Yoga and Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization

by David Frawley

Yoga & Ayurveda together form a complete approach for optimal health, vitality and higher awareness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Spirituality, Self Help, India, Reference, Meditation

350 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

David Frawley (or Vāmadeva Śāstrī वामदेव शास्त्री), b. 1950, is an American Hindu teacher (acharya) and author, who has written more than thirty books on topics such as the Vedas, Hinduism, Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology, published both in India and in the United States. He is the founder and director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which offers educational information on Yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and Vedic astrology. He works closely with the magazine Hinduism Today, where he is a frequent contributor.[1] He is associated with a number of Vedic organizations in several countries. He is a Vedic teacher (Vedacharya), Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor), and a Jyotishi (Vedic astrologer).

Reviews

[Sarah Thomas Gulden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book for people unfamiliar with or new to the subject matter, but for people with a little background already, David Frawley provides an extraordinary treasure-trove of information. And beyond just acquiring knowledge through his books, if you read this carefully, it can help open up your own deep intuitive knowledge.

[Nancy McQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book

[Dedrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book probably accurately conveys the intricacies of the philosophies. However, I had a hard time with the content. It was a lot of description of systems that felt like it was meaningless to me. Lots of details but very little identification with any of the information. Maybe this view just isn't for me, but I feel like something that has applications should be able to describe the experiences of a practice in more detail and reveal the system details in that context of application.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too esoteric for me. The concepts aren't that difficult, but Frawley made them more confusing and elaborate than they need to be.

I'll use this for reference, but if you're looking for a basic overview of ayurveda, this is not a great choice.

[Gideon]

Heel interessant en handig om een goed begrip en overzicht te krijgen van de ideeën achter Ayurveda, maar het is niet zo geschikt als een introductie op het onderwerp. Het boek veronderstelt al wel wat kennis en ervaring.

[Tom]

Lots of good information (if you're into this sort of thing), and I'd be inclined to rate it highly, except for a nagging doubt about underlying "scholarship".

Namely, the chapter on yoga asanas contains a numbers of asana descriptions, many with accompanying drawings. Unfortunately, the drawings are clearly cribbed from the corresponding photographs in the book Yoga the Iyengar Way by Mehta, Mehta and Mehta. Moreover, the illustrations' source book is not included in the bibliography. This is exceptionally sloppy and borders on plagiarism IMO.

[carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was helpful, but a bit abstract in some ways. I think a better editor would have made this book's language more approachable for the average person. I'm looking for more by this author because he's an expert but I'm not sure if I should.

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 3rd or 4th book on Ayurveda. It is thorough; discussions of mind, body are indepth. Also, discussions of diet, exercise, yoga poses, meditation as appropriate to each body type.

[Adithi Mathews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by my teacher a very wise Yogi. And this will be one book I can surely recommend to every yoga practitioner or anyone interested in Ayurveda and holistic living. I've had the good blessing to meet Frawley in person last year and having listened to him speak and share his deep passion for ancient healing science - Ayurveda, one can only be motivated to rush straight and buy all his books. This book I would say is compact and precise touching upon the most essential themes of Ayurveda. Great read and surely a book I will keep going back to refer to timeless wisdom that he has shared.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed from a friend, read while recovering from 'flu, so not one of my deeper investigations of philosophy.

Interesting, but very prescriptive, and as I don't adhere to faith in 'invisible friends', a lot of the insistence that physical health must be aided in Ayurveda by worshipful practice just annoyed me.

Some very useful ideas about diet and yoga practice, which I may follow up in further reading.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book leaves the reader with a clear understanding of the relationship between yoga and ayurveda. The more I read about gunas, doshas, tejas, ojas, nadis, etc, the more I begin to understand. Yoga and ayurveda are very complex which is what one would expect of sciences that are thousands of years old. My favorite chapter was that on asanas because that is what I understand the most. It all makes so much sense!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about the compliments of the health science of ayurveda and the consciousness science of yoga. I was re-aligned towards higher consciousness at Bhakti Fest OMmersion especially from the classes of Mas Vidal. This book is packed with information I'm using in my yoga classes, pranayama, mantra, meditation and asana suited for the different doshas.

[Bryon Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ayurvedic principles I learned from this book improved my yoga practice and overall well being emmediatey.
This book is packed with information that leaves you wanting to learn more about this deep and useful practice rooted in the Vedic tradition of India.

[Saya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for my book report for YTT 200. This book introduced me to the world of Ayurveda, which I did not have much knowledge before. It also helped me to understand how the knowledge of Ayurveda can help in practice of yoga as well as teaching yoga.

[Fizzahrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

a deeper knowledge on integrated yoga and ayurveda

[Candace Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first it seemed completely inaccessible, however this is officially now one of my "go-to" books on my yoga shelf. The sections on the doshas, the gunas and mantra were particularly enlightening.

[Shawn]

really enjoyed

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

First few chapters were hard to read. I'm glad I stuck with it. There is a lot if useful information here that I'm sure I will refer back to sometimes.

[Karen Fournier-foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book, easy to digest and covers an incredible amount of information in a tight package.

[Sarah P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good introduction to Ayurveda and how it can support a daily yoga practice. I don't often read books like this, but was very impressed.

[Federica Verga · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interessante ma troppo tecnico per me

[Julian Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers exceptional and comprehensive coverage. "Yoga & Ayurveda" is a highly linear and organized presentation of Ayurveda's chief concepts, theoretical basis (Yoga as a philosophical system), applicable Sanskrit terminology and its/their application. This book is filled with helpful charts, in-depth lists and systematic, erudite discussions of key concepts, with approachable definitions.

Because of the sheer number of Sanskrit terms and yogic concepts, both introduced and covered, this book may not be the optimal choice for beginners or those relatively new to the sister "sciences" of Yoga and Ayurveda. If, however, a reader desires an immersion program, reliable reference, extensive exploration of the subject or simply wishes to delve deeply into an alternate method of self-care and well-being, this book is a perfect treasure.

[Ashwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remained a fan of Dr.Frawley right from the time I read his first book - Hinduism and Clash of Civilizations few years back.
Have started Yoga and Ayurveda today. I have all the due respects for the knowledge this person has. Finished reading the Preface and first chapter. Can clearly see that this book has lot to teach. Can see lot of scope to learn.
Will sit as an obedient student and let the Guru - Vamadev Shastri- impart the knowledge to me - Very eager to continue reading.

[rhiannonrising · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a lot of great information, but it reads like stereo instructions. And it's not even that useful, since the book isn't actually telling you how to do anything. It's simply giving information. "This does this, that does that," over and over again. There's barely even any diversity in the language.

A really poor showing.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an excellent book, with lots of good information about yoga and Ayurveda, it took me some time to finish it. This is not a book for people unfamiliar with or new to the subject matter, but for people with a little background already.

[Terra Wolski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of info in this one! excellent reference! It WILL be part of my "OWN" collection in the future! :)

[Monika Caparelli-Hippert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Als Yogalehrerin bin ich natürlich immer an Sachbüchern zum Thema Yoga interessiert, und auch die Schwesternwissenschaft Ayurveda finde ich spannend. Der Autor ist ein bekannter Experte auf beiden Gebieten; er leitet das »American Institute of Vedic Studies« und ist Redakteur von »Yoga International«, von daher dachte ich mir, das Buch hier sollte ich mal lesen.

Bevor ich jetzt inhaltlich auf das Buch eingehe, muss ich aber mal kurz was festhalten, was mir gleich zu Anfang etwas negativ aufgestoßen ist, und das sind so die Vorschusslorbeeren, die Frawley sich selbst gibt. Gleich in der Einleitung sein Magazin als „vorzüglich“ selbst zu rühmen, und sein Institut zu loben – naja, hat so ein Geschmäckle. Beim allerersten Durchblättern bin ich beim Thema Meditation hängengeblieben, und einem Anfänger / Einsteiger gleich damit zu kommen, 2 x täglich 45minütige Meditationssessions zu verordnen, weil alles andere relativ wirkungsfrei wäre, finde ich auch ein wenig weltfremd. Aber okay. Hier ist jemand von sich und seinem Wirken mal sehr überzeugt.

Jetzt aber zum Inhalt; der ist logisch und stringent aufgebaut. Teil 1 beschäftigt sich mit „Die Wurzeln des Yoga und Ayurveda“ und hat 5 Unterkapitel, die dann schon ziemlich ins philosophische D
Detail gehen; Darma, Tattva, die Gunas und die Doshas werden definiert und erklärt – und man merkt es sofort, hier geht es ans Eingemachte, hier werden gewisse Vorkenntnisse des Lesers vorausgesetzt, bzw. es wird vorausgesetzt, daß man sich tiefer mit der Materie befassen will. Was für mich okay ist, aber auch anstrengend, denn auch wenn ich die Sanskritbegriffe kenne, so komme ich mir doch teils vor wie in einer wissenschaftlichen Vorlesung und muss sehr konzentriert immer wieder innehalten und für mich die Sätze mit 5 Fremdwörtern noch mal neu sortieren.
Teil 2 befasst sich mit den Energien im Yoga und Ayurveda, auch wieder in 6 Unterkapiteln, die u.a. Prana, Tejas, Ojas, Agni-Yoga, die Chakrenlehre und die Nadis beleuchtet (man merkt; same here: ohne gewisse Vorkenntnisse kommt der geneigte Leser auch nicht weiter), und dann haben wir noch Teil 3, „Yoga und Ayurveda in der Praxis“. Wobei diese Praxis auch nicht ein Ratgeber für Neulinge ist, sondern ich würde sagen, ein Nachschlagewerk für Routiniers, die noch ein wenig mehr Infos haben wollen.

Für mich ist das Buch ein Nachschlagewerk, wenn man ein paar tiefergehende Informationen zu Spezialthemen sucht. Keinesfalls ein Buch für jemand, der keine Ahnung von Yogaphilosophie oder Ayurveda hat und sich einfach mal informieren will.

Ich habe das Buch jetzt dementsprechend auch nicht komplett von Seite 1 bis zum Ende des Anhangs auf Seite 305 durchgelesen, sondern mir „meine“ Spezialthemen rausgepickt und durchgelesen; und muss sagen, ja, Dr. Frawley hat definitiv Ahnung von der Materie, aber ich tue mich schwer mit diesem Werk. Entweder es ist super wissenschaftlich verfasst – und das sind die wertneutralen Parts - , oder aber dozierend-gurumässig, wenn Frawley die Wege zur Erleuchtung weist. Beispielsweise wenn es um Visualisierungen geht, die man genauso einfach praktizieren sollte, weil man ansonsten es nicht hinkriegt mit Meditation, Samadhi & Co. Ich bin da immer skeptisch; vielleicht tue ich ihm Unrecht, aber ich habe da so meine Vorbehalte, wenn mir ein „spiritueller Meister“ sagt, nur dies hier sei der wahre Weg.

Also, man merkt es, ich bin zwiegespalten. Den wissenschaftlichen Teilen des Buches verteile ich ein „sehr gut“, aber man darf die Untertöne des Autors nicht unterschlagen, und die kommen bei mir nicht gut an.
Um meine Besprechung auf den gängigen online Portalen hochzuladen, muss ich mich auf eine Sternebewertung festlegen, ich gebe mal 3 aufgrund meiner Vorbehalte. Sorry Dr. Frawley.

[Francesca D'Agostini · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Frawley è un esperto di Ayurveda e di sapere vedici, direttore dell' istituto Americano per gli Studi Vedici. In questo libro approfondisce la relazione fra Yoga e Ayurveda, entrambe discipline olistiche l'una finalizzata all' autorealizzazione e l'altra all' autoguarigione; entrambe basate sul Samkhya, la visione cosmologica e filosofica vedica. Vengono illustrati i 24 principi cosmici (Tattva), i 3 Guna o qualità della Prakriti (sattva, rajas, tamas), e le loro leggi (dell' alternanza e della continuità), i tre Dosha (vata, pitta, kapha) o qualità delle creature biologiche permeate dal prana o energia vitale. Vengono illustarate le otto parti del Raja Yoga codificato da Patanjali: yama (ahimsa, satya, bramacharya, asteya, anabhinivesha), niyama (santosha, saucha, svardhyaya, tapas, ishvara pranidhana), asana, pranajama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana e samadhi. Vengono descritti i principali tipi di yoga basati su diversi approcci: jnana yoga (conoscenza), bhakti yoga (devozione), kriya yiga (tecniche: mantra, tantra, hatha), karma yoga (azione), raja yoga (integrale). Vengono spiegati i tre corpi (fisico, sottile o astrale e causale). Vengono introdotti principi di alchimia yogica cioè gli strumenti per sviluppare ed equilibrare le tre energie sottili: Prana (energia vitale, entusiasmo, nascita e rinnovamento), Tejas ( forza di volontà, coraggio, iniziativa) e Ojas (pazienza, stabilità, resistenza allo sforzo). Vengono presentati i sette agni, i cinque prana o movimenti di energia (Prana, Udana, Vyana, Samana, Apana); Kundalini e i sette chakra; le tre nadi (canali del corpo sottile) sushumna, ida e pingala. Vengono date indicazioni sulla dieta ayurvedica e su quella yogica, con riferimento alle proprietà delle principali erbe; sulle principali tecniche di pranayama e pratihara e sull'importanza dei mantra.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book and found the narration clear and easy to follow. I enjoyed how the explanation of the different types of yoga and the spiritual beliefs that go with them. Though I won't lie I did get a little lost from time to time.

One aspect which I disliked can be summarised as such, "true followers should be careful to avoid to much or bad sex.' Then we moved on to another topic.  Ok, so what is too much once a day? Once a week? Once a year? And what is 'bad' sex? Do they mean unpleasurable sex? Non-consenting? Sex in certain positions or locations? Or are they referring to certain types of relationships? Eg LGBT+ or interracial? If your going to mention something so decisive and complicated you need to be clear on what you mean.  If you don't your work will given meanings, you don't mean by those who don't understand you. And if your scaried of upsetting people then don't mention it at all. What's happened here is (in my opinion) the worse of both worlds.

Moving on, I find it concerning that they state as fact that chronic diseases and other health conditions are caused by problem with your spiritual flow/system. They don't mention going to actual doctor or pharmacist for these problem. The way this section is written leaves you with the impression that these things can only be caused by a spiritual means and can therefore only be helped with spiritual treatment. There isn't even a disclaimer given.

[Avnish Kanwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been practicing Yoga for some time now. All the practices got more meaning after reading this. This book strengthened my practice. I developed a new interest in Aasanas. I have started the process of moving beyond my cravings, especially sexual activity and Rajsic food. I know the importance of ayurveda and herbs better and now the intention is to use the ayurveda more in my life, with the aim of making the Yoga possible. I am more aware of the 6 levels of existence other than the self and realise that they too are very much part of the maya itself and I am enjoying their play now. I can see the two forces of maya and shakti acting against each other. It's fun to take a dive in maya some time or abother or to surf over its waves, but getting sunk in it, it is what causes misery. Such a beautifully written book, in simplest of words possible, understandable to anyone who has just the intention to explore their selves.
Thanks for this such a beautiful gem Acharya.