A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya

This Guide is all you will need to gain an in depth understanding of Yoga. In is essential for beginners and can be used as a reference for advanced practitioners. The guide is structured in 3 parts consisting of 12 Lessons in each part. Part 1 lays out the basics of Asana, Pranayama, Bandha, Mudra and Meditation. Part 2 expands on the basic techniques to provide a full understanding of yoga. If you follow the Lesson plan, by the end of Part2 - you will have built a daily 2hr yoga practice that can guide you for a lifetime. Part 3 explains the Kriya practices that will lead to the awakening of Kundalini. This involves deep explanations of Chakra stimulation. The 3 parts include 12 months each of structured practice, totaling a full 3 year training program to reach the pinnacle of Tantra yoga. The guide is written in a very straightforward language and is not dogmatic. It provides warnings and guidance for anyone that has health issues and provides alternative practices. I would also recommend the accompanying Bihar published book on Kundalini Tantra which supports the Kriya practices in Part3 if you have advanced to this stage in your practice. As many have pointed out, this book is a Practical guide to be followed, not to be placed on a shelf. I recommend it without reservation.

I am a graduate student doing my Phd in Electrical Engineering but yoga and meditation are my hobbies (along with hiking and biking). As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, this book is one of the most comprehensive, articulate and informative book I have found so far on meditation and yoga. The book emphasizes that, 'There is no need to believe before hand that the techniques will work. Practice and you will know it to be true'. The book starts with Hatha yoga, basic asanas and progresses through basic breathing techniques. Along the way it gives an in-depth analysis of various forms of yoga - Karma yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti yoga, etc. It emphasizes that these different yogas complement each other and do not go against each other. Some people might ask, well isn't there 'one god'. Shouldn't there be one path? This is a narrow way of looking at things. Sure there is one 'Mount Everest' but there are probably many different ways to get to the base-camp! And each has its own scenic views and obstacles. Same with the different yogas. Pick one that best suits your personality or better integrate a few of them - E.g. Karma yoga (This is easy to begin - If you work everyday!), Bhakti yoga (Prayer, devotion,etc) and Raja yoga (Breathing, Meditations,etc). The book gives precise instructions especially in the breathing techniques and gives it to you in steps, so that you can measure your progress and move onto the next level. The book moves onto advanced kriya techniques towards the end of the book (these require some level of mastery over postures and breathing techniques). This is a book to keep for a lifetime and go through again and again to understand and integrate more knowledge as one progresses on the path.

One of the unique aspects of this wonderful book is that it calls yoga what it essentially is: a tantric spiritual path. Moreover, in a section on tantra, Swami Satyananda explains how tantra developed separately from the Vedas and gave birth to what we know as yoga today. Most of the hatha yoga trends practiced in the West today can be traced back to Krisnamacharya and his disciple B.K.S. Iyengar, who often blended the original hatha yoga (which also originated within the tantric system) with Western style gymnastics, props, etc. In this book, we get a practical course in the ancient techniques of yoga before being Westernized and modernized by teachers focusing mostly on the physical side of yoga. In tantra, hatha yoga is used as preparation or as an integral part of spiritual practice; in other words, as an integral part of meditation. The program in this book is very systematic and hands on, but also quite demanding and only for those who are serious students on the path of yoga. The only limitation with this book is simply that it is a text and not a living teacher. Ideally one need to study tantra with a competent teacher or guru. A book, no matter how comprehensive, cannot be a substitute for a personal student teacher relationship. Apart from that, I highly recommend this book.

I have begun the practices outlined in this book, having added them to my existing but somewhat beginner asana practice. Even after one week, it is profound. I can't imagine that there are many books better suited for guiding a yoga practice. Also of note is that this book assumes NO prior experience with yoga. It is structured in such a way that it systematically takes you through an advancing practice. I read a review here before purchasing the book that said if the person was stranded on an island and could only have one book with them, this would be it. I would have to agree with that sentiment!

This has to be the best book I have every seen written on any style of yoga. It is clear, concise and so easy to follow, even though it has very few drawings. It starts from the beginning and assumes that you know nothing about yoga. It explains asanas, pranayama, meditation, chakras, mudras and bandhas in detail and gives alot of history and philosophy. It discusses diet and health and gives yoga related information for some health problems. It gives daily practice programs at the end of each of the 36 lessons. It also breaks each long lesson up into shorter ones in case you just don't have the time to spend that day on a long session. The asanas go from very very easy to very hard by lesson 36. I am so glad I bought this book. Very highly recommended.

Clear instructions and explanations.

Great book but came damaged

El libro de consulta, un excelente compendio de las ensñanzas de Yoga que sugiere como incorporarlas a tu vida. Dividido en tres secciones o libros. El 1 y 2 lecciones mismas que hablan de filosofía, ritos de limpieza, y postura. El libro3 introduce a las práctica de Kriyas - los retos del Yoga.

All good, Font is small…

Ein weiteres wundervolles Buch der Bihar Yoga School. Nicht sektiererisch. Es ist einfach und verständlich geschrieben, systematisch aufgebaut und bietet dem westlichen, intellektuell orientierten Geist genügend Erklärungen. Es bietet Erklärungen und Lösungsstrategien, wo der Durchschnittspraktizierende mit anderen Techniken nicht weiter kommt und schliesslich frustriert aufgibt. Inhaltlich gibt es nichts zu meckern. Vom Äusserlichen: die Schrift ist wirklich sehr klein. Das Papier hat einen unangenehmen Geruch, der sich leider nicht so leicht verflüchtigt. Auf dem Versandweg hat das Buch leider auch etwas gelitten.

Important read for those who wish to understand and advance their knowledge about the existence of higher consciousness and how to arrive there. To know about the human anatomy through the lens of nadis and the Kundalini.

シヴァーナンダヨガ のATTCを卒業していますが、 ビハールの教える内容は親切であり、勉強になります。