The Mirror of Yoga: Awakening the Intelligence of Body and Mind

by Richard Freeman

Overview

The world of yoga is astonishingly rich in its array of schools and practices. Yet, as diverse as they seem, they share a common aim: the discovery of the essence of existence that can be found at the core of our being, and the liberation that comes from that discovery. With this worthy goal in mind, Richard Freeman presents an enlightening overview of the many teachings, practices, and scriptures that serve as the basis for all the schools of yoga—hatha, bhakti, jnana, karma, tantra, and others. He shows how the myriad forms are ultimately related, and can even be perceived to make up a vast, interpenetrating matrix, symbolizing the unity, profundity, and beauty of the ancient tradition.

Richard's wide-ranging discussion includes the Upanisads and Samkhya philosophies, the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, the eight limbs of astanga yoga, the process and purpose of hatha yoga, and much more. He also explores the role of the guru, chanting, meditation, and the yogic imperative of offering service to others. All of this is applied to the actual practice, giving the reader the tools to digest and apply the wealth of information to daily life. The Mirror of Yoga will be a welcome resource to all yogis who wish to better practice the profound philosophy underlying their practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780834824874
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	09/14/2010
Series:	Shambhala Publications
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Richard Freeman has been a student of yoga since 1968. His background includes studying Ashtanga, Iyengar, bhakti, and traditional hatha yoga; Western and Eastern philosophy; and Sanskrit; all of which he incorporates into the Ashtanga yoga practice as taught by his principal teacher, K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Richard teaches at his studio, the Yoga Workshop, in Boulder, Colorado, as well as at studios and conferences throughout the world. He also has a video series, Yoga with Richard Freeman, which has inspired many people to take up yoga. He is also a frequent contributor to Yoga Journal.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

1 Phases of the Practice and Classical Forms of Yoga 1

2 The Body and Mind as Fields of Experience 19

3 The Process of Hatha Yoga: Union of Sun and Moon 37

4 The Roots of the Practice 63

5 Buddhi and Context 85

6 The Bhagavad Gita and the Unfolding of Love 105

7 Tantra and the Radiant Earth 133

8 The Yoga Sutra 149

9 Cutting Through Fundamentalism 183

Acknowledgments 215

Sanskrit Pronunciation Guide 217

Chanting 221

Glossary 227

Index 235

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“[This book contains] everything that I have wanted to say and everything that I wish I knew that I had wanted to say. Richard Freeman once again proves that he is superhuman and yet knows everything about being human and knows how to teach us to draw out the nectar of life with this evolving art of yoga.”—Rodney Yee

“At last, here is an exposé on the most vital and dynamic themes relevant to the yoga practice. Richard has the unique and entirely delightful ability to speak to the intricacies, the paradoxes, the depths and surfaces that belong to the yoga experience. What a great boon that Richard should hold up such a clear mirror for all of us on the yoga path today.”—Tias Little

“Collectively, these essays form an insightful and oftentimes humorous introduction to the deeper aspects of yoga philosophy, suitable for both the neophyte and the seasoned practitioner. In addition to being quite original, imaginative, and at times almost whimsical, The Mirror of Yoga is also firmly grounded in references to, and excerpts from, those yogic texts most respected by all schools of practice.”—Namarupa Magazine Online

“This thoughtful and beautifully written book . . . will take the average yogi to the next level.”—New Age Retailer

Editorial Reviews

[This book contains] everything that I have wanted to say and everything that I wish I knew that I had wanted to say. Richard Freeman once again proves that he is superhuman and yet knows everything about being human and knows how to teach us to draw out the nectar of life with this evolving art of yoga.”—Rodney Yee

“At last, here is an exposé on the most vital and dynamic themes relevant to the yoga practice. Richard has the unique and entirely delightful ability to speak to the intricacies, the paradoxes, the depths and surfaces that belong to the yoga experience. What a great boon that Richard should hold up such a clear mirror for all of us on the yoga path today.”—Tias Little

“Collectively, these essays form an insightful and oftentimes humorous introduction to the deeper aspects of yoga philosophy, suitable for both the neophyte and the seasoned practitioner. In addition to being quite original, imaginative, and at times almost whimsical, The Mirror of Yoga is also firmly grounded in references to, and excerpts from, those yogic texts most respected by all schools of practice.”—Namarupa Magazine Online

“This thoughtful and beautifully written book . . . will take the average yogi to the next level.”—New Age Retailer

From the Publisher