In this stressful world, Yoga transcends religious differences and helps millions of people worldwide to reconnect with their inner life, to find peace of mind in a world of conflict and distractions, and to recognize their inner joy, power and health. Encompassing more than just physical postures, Yoga is a spiritual science, a way of life which grants peace, balance, and freedom from suffering. This book contains the essential Yoga practice for body, mind and spirit, summarizing Classical Yoga for a modern audience, brief yet complete in scope. Seeing the larger picture of Yoga and examining its different paths, you can find the practice that suits your temperament and condition, helping you to build a lasting personal practice.

Swami Sivananda, renowned sage and yogi of Rishikesh, Himalayas, foresaw the need for Yoga in the modern world and sent his disciple Swami Vishnudevananda to the West in 1957. Swami Vishnudevananda took the core of yogic teachings and broke it down for the Western mind, eventually creating the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres to educate and train yogis in both the East and West. He is author of the classics, The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga (1960) and Meditation and Mantras (1978).This book gives a rich and accessible grounding in the ancient, classical teachings of Yoga—the breadth of theory and practice to give holistic support for body, mind and soul.

"A concise guide to Yoga in all of its aspects, healing, mantra, pranayama, asana and meditation as taught by one of the most important Yoga lineages of the modern world, Essentials of Yoga Practice and Philosophy is a helpful resource that all serious Yoga students should keep close by for regular study.” (David Frawley, author, Yoga and Ayurveda)