Table of Contents
List of Illustrations xv
Foreword xxi
Preface xxiii
Introduction xxv
Chapter 1 Hari and the Yoga Masters 1
Paramhansa Yogananda 6
Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Rishikesh 13
Sri Ramana Maharshi 21
Chapter 2 The Eight Limbs of Yoga 27
Ahimsa 33
Understanding Brahmacharya 37
Hari and Brahmacharya 40
Chapter 3 Asana 47
Asana on the Beach in Latvia 48
Chandra Namaskar 52
Chapter 4 Pranayama 55
Exhale from the Lower Lungs 55
Controlled Lower Abdomen 57
Kumbhak Pranayama with Bhavana 68
Sahita Kumbhaka 70
The Bandhas 71
Pranayama Techniques 74
Kapalabhati 74
Sukha Purvak Pranayama 75
Nadi Shodhana 77
Anuloma Viloma 78
Ujjayi 81
Surya Bheda 82
Bhastrika 84
Shall and Sitkari 87
Bhramari 88
Murccha 92
Plavini Pranayama 95
Madhya Rechaka Pranayama 97
Dakshina and Vamana Rechaka Pranayamas 98
Agni Pradipta Pranayama 100
Chaturmukh Pranayama 101
Hridaya Stambha Pranayama 102
Nadi Avarodha Pranayama 106
Pranava Dhvanyatmaka Pranayama 107
Vibhaga Pranayama 109
Sarva Dvara Baddha Pranayama 113
Sapta Vyahriti Pranayama 114
Kevala Pranayama 116
Chapter 5 Mudras and Bandhas 119
Maha Mudra 120
Maha Bandha 121
Maha Vedha 122
Khechari Mudra 123
Amritpan Khechari 124
Viparitakarani Mudra 125
Vajroli Mudra 126
Shaktichalani Mudra 127
Order of Practice: Abhyasa Krama 129
Yoni or Shanmukhi Mudra 129
Shambhavi Mudra 132
Mudras in Pranatasana 137
Chapter 6 Pratyahara and Dharana 139
The Chakras as Transmitters of Energy 140
Pratyahara 142
Dharana 147
Chapter 7 Dhyana 161
Bandha Traya with Siddhasana for Meditation 162
Sivoham Meditation 164
Upanishad Mantra Meditation 165
Meditation for Healing the Sick 168
Chakra Meditation 169
Heart Meditation 175
Guhya Chakra Meditation 177
Shunya Dhyana 178
Shambhavi Mudra Meditation 180
Meditation on the Mantra Hrim 185
Meditation on Nad 188
Vedic Trinity Meditation 191
Meditation Using Drishtis 193
Japa and Ajapa Meditation 194
Meditation on the Guru or the Ishta Devata 197
Samyama 201
Atma Vichara Meditation 203
Paramhansa Yogananda on Meditation 209
Chapter 8 Kundalini Awakening and Samadhi 211
Chapter 9 Delicious Stories 227
Jesus As a Yogi 227
Spiritual Beginnings 236
Ashram Life 241
About a Guru 247
Astral Beings for the Good of All 249
The Lady and Lord Krishna 250
Ambubachi 251
Swara Yoga 252
The Seven Lokas-Life after Death 260
Epilogue 267
Appendix I 271
Appendix II 279
Glossary 281
Endnotes 299
Permissions 315
Index 317
About the Author 327