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The Truth of Yoga: A Comprehensive Guide to Yoga’s History, Texts, Philosophy, and Practices
Original price was: $19.00.$13.34Current price is: $13.34.
A succinct, approachable guide to the origins, development, key texts, concepts, and practices of yoga.
Yoga is practiced by many millions of people worldwide and is celebrated for its mental, physical, and spiritual benefits. And yet, as Daniel Simpson reveals in The Truth of Yoga, much of what is said about yoga is misleading. For example, the word “yoga” does not always mean union. In fact, in perhaps the discipline’s most famous text―the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali―its aim is described as separation: isolating consciousness from everything else. And yoga is not five thousand years old, as is commonly claimed; the earliest evidence of practice dates back about twenty-five hundred years. (Yoga may well be older, but no one can prove it.)
The Truth of Yoga is a clear, concise, and accessible handbook for the lay reader that draws upon abundant recent scholarship. It outlines these new findings with practitioners in mind, highlighting ways to keep traditions alive in the twenty-first century.
Publisher : North Point Press (January 5, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 256 pages
ISBN-10 : 0865477817
ISBN-13 : 978-0865477810
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 5.4 x 0.65 x 8.2 inches
13 reviews for The Truth of Yoga: A Comprehensive Guide to Yoga’s History, Texts, Philosophy, and Practices
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Matthew Hahn –
Non-academic, faithful to the tradition, & approachable
As someone who has lectured on the histories and philosophies of yoga for yoga teacher trainings for years, I am always asked by students what non-academic books they could read in order to dip their feet into the subject (beyond the teacher training). For too long, most of the accurate, unbiased histories of yoga were available as academic texts or books only. I am comfortable reading them, but most students are not.I listened to Daniel Simpson’s interview on the Yogic Studies podcast and heard that this book was meant to fill the gap between yoga practitioners’ desire to dig deeper and the sometimes overwhelmingly verbose language of academic yogic papers. I had high hopes for the book and it did not disappoint. I will be recommending it to students and will likely be using it as part of the teacher trainings in the near future.
O –
Exquisite, Concise, fun guide to what is yoga
Much gratitude to Daniel Simpson for this book, which is a breath of fresh air – super enjoyable and easy to read. A great mix of scholarly knowledge and grounded practical views about what yoga is, based on yogic texts. This is the book any aspiring yogi should get. In just 242 pages, itâs a condensed guide to yogaâs history, philosophy and practices – and it leaves you thirsty to explore the extensive bibliography. Highly recommended to practitioners and non practitioners of yoga alike.
Willy –
Should be required reading for YTT courses
Ive been waiting (and wishing I had time and resources to write myself) for a book that addressed the same topics as Feurstein and Gordon-White but in a more accessible prose style. Honestly, every yoga teacher should be familiar with this material in my opinion. Indispensable.
Jeremiah Elliott, Jr. –
A great primer for those looking to study yoga!
This book is what I would consider a primer regarding the study of the history (and story) of yoga. The book is dense with information and the author frequently cites the texts he mentions. The authorâs intent is to make the traditional philosophies accessible to modern practitioners, which I think he has accomplished. This is not a book you read to become an expert. It is a book you read to spark more interest to seek out the texts he cites throughout the book. One thing I do commend in this book is that it creates a timeline of a more linear view of the yoga traditions. I had initially feared this book would be full of opinion of what yoga is and isnât. In fact, the author makes no assertions or claims of what yoga is and isnât. I appreciate the objective tone of the book and how it contains a wealth of knowledge and research. The hefty notes section clearly shows the amount of research that went into creating this book.
Greg Ray –
Outstanding and Highly Readable
What’s remarkable about this book is its scholarly depth and highly accessible, breezy style. Simpson clearly knows his stuff and has the talent to synthesize hundreds of years of history, philosophy, and the practices behind what we know as “yoga.” If you are a casual or serious practitioner of yoga or simply interested in its historical and philosophical underpinnings, you will walk away from this book wiser. Strongly recommended!
1Ralph –
Glad this was written!
This is a remarkably comprehensive yet very accessible overview of yogic philosophy & history. I believe this is the first book Iâve seen that has accomplished such a complete discussion of yoga. Itâs organized in short chapters by concept – as opposed to chronology – which is a novel and effective approach. Simpson clearly values a scholarly & accurate presentation of yoga. He only steps in with some of his own personal wise reflections and insights in the final pages. It feels good to see a yoga book for the general public that does not water down the tradition. Bravo.
SJ –
Helpful But Problematic
This book provides a detailed history of yoga ideas, tying them to ancient texts. The history is thorough and useful. However, the text quickly divulged into dismissive views of modern yoga exercise practices. It also spends time discussing how attempts to make yoga safer (implied safer for women) given recent sex scandals are merely a hinderence to practice. It is very dismissive of the use of yoga to handle trauma, while at the same time ignoring the fact that yoga has a tainted history in modern times of abuse. This section of the book was disturbing and frustrating.
John Callahan –
Surprising Origins of Yoga in Context
Written in straightforward style, Daniel Simpson examines Indian philosophy and ancient texts for the roots of yoga in context of original meaning. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali may have had very different significance to original readers with familiarity with samkya than the way they are typically interpreted today. Yet the ancient texts are still useful not only for historical understanding of origins, but also in current yoga teaching. A thoughtful and interesting read.
Rie Frilund Skaarhoj –
This is a book you wanna buy if you are into yoga history. Or want to figure out what we currently know and what are ‘rumors’ or new age influence on yoga as we know it today. Daniel writes with knowledge and wisdom! Thank you for creating this book!
MISS T. –
Gorgeous book explaining the context and lineage of yoga traditions. Love the references to ancient text that adds so much credibility, and excellently written as it remains very accessible. I found it an easy read and keep dipping into sections to support my own yoga and pranayama teaching. Wish I had this book when doing my first yoga teacher trainings!
Es –
If you want only one book on ancient yoga texts, choose this one. Has short pieces (1-3 pages) clustered in parts on the most important texts of yoga. Introduces concepts and ideas, what they meant in a specific time and text, how this changed, how this could be placed in what India was like in varous time periods etc. This sounds difficult perhaps, but it really is interesting and not a difficult read, the author is a scientist but has been a jouralist before. He writes well and very accessible. Check out an interview with the author on Yogic Studies podcast.
Claudia –
The book is new and in perfect condition despite the long jurney to Italy.Great!
JOANNA BENN –
The Truth of Yoga is an entertaining journey through the earliest ideas of yoga, how it evolved and ways we might interpret it or interact with the tradition today. As a yoga teacher and having wrestled with multiple texts and commentaries to get a better grasp on the history and philosophy, this book does it all. A one-stop shop to read cover to cover, or as I am enjoying it, dipping in and out of individual short essays. Itâs still not a âlightâ read, I might add! Each page is packed with ideas and concepts to further unpack, the lightness and fluidity of writing belies the depth of knowledge contained within. This is a book to go back to again and again.