Swami Muktibodhananda Livres

The physical act of breathing is said to have a very subtle influence on the level of consciousness, and therefore the effects of Swara Yoga are also very subtle. It aims at directly awakening the highest human potential. In other systems a similar understanding of the swara, the breath is also expressed. For example, in Taoism it states that, "if one meditates upon the breath, the cosmic deities or forces can be seen operating the physical body. By sustaining oneself purely on the breath, rather than on coarse food, one's entire being will be purified and strengthened. Then the consciousness is able to ascend to the heavens where eternal life is experienced by the body and soul." Swara Yoga not only helps those who believe in a supreme reality, but also those who do not have faith and who will also be surprised to discover many truths pertaining to this reality. Swara Yoga is a path which leads to total experience and awakening of the entire being.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika (Light on Hatha Yoga) includes the original Sanskrit text compiled by Maharshi Swatmarama with a translation and thorough commentary in English by Swami Satyananda and Swami Muktibodhananda. This text elucidates the entire science of hatha yoga (asana, pranayama, shatkarma, mudra and bandha) as it was conceived and practised not only for health and fitness but for awakening the vital energies: pranas, chakras and kundalini shakti.It points out that hatha yoga is not just a physical practice but a process of cellular transmutation from gross to subtle to divine. Thus hatha yoga was considered to be the foundation of all higher yogas. Line drawings and diagrams illustrate the text.