Re: What is Yoga? (you may be surprised at the answer)

Thanks for this post - it's very true. Yoga as a complete self realization Science (as opposed to religion) is exactly what we need in this day and age. By now any existing religious dogma has been so corrupted by the ruling elite over the ages as to be massively confusing, unempowering, and largely at odds with true religious objectives.

You're also right about Hatha Yoga not really existing in the times of Patanjali. The lotus position and pranayama existed then, but both were part of meditation practice not as a general health/fitness system. In fact most research points to Hatha Yoga basic postures as being an adaptation of English calisthenics.

Obviously adding in pranayama (deep breathing techniques) along with a more slow, deliberate and structurally correct approach is where much of the fantastic benefit comes from.

Do you have any books to recommend that present a somewhat in-depth overview of the integration of all yoga practices? Raja, Bhakti, Hatha, Jnana, etc? Tweet