Shankaranarayana Jois - The Sacred Tradition of Yoga: Philosophy, Ethics, and Practices for a Modern Spiritual Life

A wealth of information and advice for practitioners wishing to go deeper into the lived study of Yoga.

Mark Singleton, PhD, author of Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice and Gurus of Modern Yoga

This book is a treasury of timeless wisdom, presented in a profoundly generous and intimate way.

Noelle Oxenhandler, contributing editor for Tricycle and coauthor, with Jack Kornfield, of The Buddha Is Still Teaching

Dr. Jois makes these teachings accessible and appealing.

Edwin Bryant, Professor of Hindu Religion and Philosophy, Rutgers University, and author of The Yoga Stras of Pataji

ABOUT THE BOOK

In todays complex world, how is it possible to truly live as a yogi? Traditional yoga theory offers fresh, insightful solutions to todays practical lifestyle concerns, ranging from environmentalism to personal health and wellness. Tuning in to classic yoga philosophy and teachings can bring to light our greatest strengths while showing us how to maintain a healthy body and clear mind while attaining inner happiness. Drawing from his personal experiences of yoga and insight into ancient Sanskrit texts, Dr. Shankaranarayana Jois connects yogic philosophy to how we approach food, work, education, relationships, and other conscious lifestyle choices to support our deepest longings for happiness, peace, and balance. Practical and insightful, The Sacred Tradition of Yoga begins with a clear and deep inquiry into the human condition, reminding us of the true purpose of Yoga. The second half of the book focuses on the yamas and niyamas, the personal disciplines and social ethics of yoga. Throughout, Dr. Joiss teachings honor ancient traditions and underscore the benefits we can gain from adopting a yogic way of life in the modern world.

DR. SHANKARANARAYANA JOIS is a Sanskrit scholar and Vedic astrologer who teaches yogic philosophy in Mysore, India. He is known by most longtime students of K. Pattabhi Jois (no relation) in Ashtanga Yoga circles around the world. He travels annually to the United States to teach workshops and tour many large studios, including Jivamukti Yoga School in New York City and Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago.

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2015 BY DR. SHANKARANARAYANA JOIS

All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Jois, Shankaranarayana, author.

The sacred tradition of yoga: philosophy, ethics, and practices for a modern spiritual life / Dr. Shankaranarayana Jois.

pages cm

eISBN 978-0-8348-0002-1 (ebook)

ISBN 978-1-61180-172-9 (paperback)

1. Yoga. I. Title

B132.Y6J624 2015

181.45dc23

2014017616

In memory of Sri Lakshminarayana Jois and Smt. Honnamma

This book is dedicated to the Divine Mother,
r r Vijayalakm r Mt,
of Aga Yoga Vijna Mandiram
Whose blessings have enabled me to proceed on the Yogic path.

Contents

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TODAY, yoga is increasingly being accepted all over the world. Because of its comprehensive nature and the many practical benefits it has to offer, vast numbers of people are beginning to practice various yogic disciplines. Even in India, where yoga first originated, there is renewed interest. However, for many Indians, yoga is still part of daily life.

Yogic techniques have undergone an evolution since ancient times. Many people have tried to adapt these teachings to the modern lifestyle. As a result, new techniques and styles of yoga have emerged everywhere. Teachers today are using their own interpretation of yogic concepts to develop their own teaching methodologies. This has certainly resulted in some good. Many people have benefited by living a healthier physical life. At the same time, many of the original teachings and techniques have been lost. Practices like sana, pryma, and other essential teachings have lost their original significance and purpose. Moreover, these deviations propagate the wrong impression about the real purpose of yoga.

In this context, Dr. K. L. Shankaranarayana Jois, an experienced and knowledgeable expert in yoga, has made a bold attempt to give the serious student of yoga a clear explanation of the fundamental concepts of yoga in this valuable work. Dr. Joiss work does not represent yoga from a particular school or philosophy. Rather, Jois introduces both basic and advanced elements of yoga, interweaving in-depth descriptions of practices, states of mind, ancient legends, anticipated questions, and meaningful experiences of the author himself.

According to the ancient seers and yogis, bliss is the ultimate goal of life. This is yoga. Dr. Jois teaches that our life is meant to experience this eternal bliss. He explains that this is the original nature of humankind, which has been completely forgotten. Becoming reacquainted with our true nature requires effort and practice. Specific techniques that will help us most depend on our individual constitution. To fully understand the complexity of all this requires an in-depth explanation of yoga. This unique work offers that explanation, ultimately focusing on the path of Aga Yoga. The first two limbsthe ancient organizational format for these teachingsof the eight-limbed Aga path are dealt with here in great detail. The magnanimity of these concepts is presented effectively in the context of developing an ideal yogic lifestyle. For genuine aspirants of yoga, a close study of The Sacred Tradition of Yoga will provide a strong foundation.

I hope Dr. Jois will follow this book with equally thorough and insightful writings on the remaining six limbs of Aga Yoga.

DR. GANAPATHI JOIS, HMSC,
PGDip in Yoga Therapy, PhD
Kasturba Medical College, Karnataka, India

IT IS WITH great honor that I write an introduction to a book such as this. To read this book is to be in the company of someone who knows whereof he speaks, someone who has devoted his life, without reservation, to the quest for understanding and toward the goal of Realization. Although I can only comment from a Western perspective, I believe this book will be a valuable resource for those practitionersboth from the West and the Eastwho have set out on a yogic journey.

Over nearly twenty years, I have had the privilege to be among a small, but now growing, number of students who study periodically with Dr. Jois. Since my very first meeting with him, in 1997, I have been greatly awed by the depth of his knowledge and experience. Dr. Jois is a unique teacher and writer in todays marketplace of yoga. He is a humble man who takes on his responsibility as a teacher with the utmost seriousness and dedication. He does not seek new students but sees it as his duty to offer what he knows to those who wish to learn. The Sacred Tradition of Yoga now offers the world an opportunity to experience the treasured knowledge and insights he has to share.