Goswami - Advanced hatha yoga: classic methods of physical education and concentration

To the Lord iva

iva
Posed by Dinabandhu Pramanick

Acknowledgments

I wish to thank Professor Elis Berven, Stockholm, for his kindness in writing a foreword to this book.

The exercises are illustrated by photographs of my Indian and Swedish pupils:

Dinabandhu Pramanick

Figs. 12.1, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.9, 12.15, 12.16, 12.17, 12.19, 12.21a, 12.22, 12.26, 12.31, 12.32, 13.1, 13.2, 14.1, 14.2, 14.4, 14.10, 14.11, 14.12, 14.13, 14.14, 14.15, 14.17, 14.18, 14.21, 14.25, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 16.1, 16.4, 16.5, 16.6, 16.7, 16.9, 17.1, 17.2, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 18.8, 18.9, 19.1, 19.2, and 19.3

Kamalaksha Goswami (Kolkata)

Fig. 12.4

Brajendra Sundar Goswami (Kolkata)

Figs. 12.8, 12.14, 12.30, and 18.15

Renu Ghosh (Kolkata)

Figs. 12.10, 12.12, 12.23, 15.9, 15.11, 18.1, 18.5, 19.4, and 20.2

Leela Ghosh (Kolkata)

Figs. 12.29 and 20.4

Parvati Devi (Karin Schalander, Stockholm)

Figs. 12.24, 12.25, 12.27, 12.28, 14.3, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.9, 14.16, 14.23, 14.24, 14.26, 17.3, 17.4, 17.5, 18.2, 20.1, and 20.3

Kerstin Aldin (Stockholm)

Fig. 12.11

Olle Sderblom (Stockholm)

Figs. 12.2, 12.3, 12.13, 12.18, 12.20, 14.20, 14.22, 15.10, 18.3, 18.4, 18.7, and 18.16

Vishuddhananda Giri (Basile Catomris, France)

Figs. 14.8, 16.2, 16.3, 18.10, 18.11, and 18.12

Arne Lundgren (Stockholm)

Figs. 12.21b, 14.19, 15.5, 15.6, 15.7, 15.8, and 18.6

Bertil Johansson (Stockholm)

Fig. 16.8

Henrik Levkowetz (Oslo)

Figs. 18.13 and 18.14

I wish to thank them all.

Foreword to the Third Edition

Basile P. Catomris

The author of this classic book is widely recognized by his peers as one of the major pioneers of contemporary Yoga.

[Sri S. S. Goswami is] the foremost exponent of Yoga in modern time.

ACHARYA KARUNAMOYA SARASWATI

The scientific and creative exposition of Haha Yoga in our time is due mostly to the work of two distinguished yogis, Yogi Madhavdas and Shyam Sundar Goswami....

[Sri Goswamis book] is modern, cogent and the most comprehensive, definitive treatment of Haha Yoga to be found in the Western world today. It is also the most completely illustrated book.

SACHINDRA KUMAR MAJUMDAR, AUTHOR OF
INTRODUCTION TO YOGA PRINCIPLES
AND PRACTICES (PELHAM BOOKS)

It is with feelings of immense gratitude, honor, and responsibility that I write this foreword to the third edition of Sri Shyam Sundar Goswamis book, Haha Yoga. In this new edition, now titled Advanced Hatha Yoga, special thanks are extended to Professor Gran Hedenstierna, Head of the Research Department of Clinical Physiology at the Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.

I am very thankful for Inner Traditions editorial teams constructive intiatives, in particular those of Laura Schlivek and Nancy Yeilding, whose meticulous editorial work has allowed most valuable improvements.

This long-overdue revision of Haha Yoga is set apart by the addition of a more comprehensive index and a revised chapter on pryma (chapter 21), with elaborations taken from material originally intended to be part of Sri Shyam Sundar Goswamis ambitious, five-volume Haha Yogaa project that only an enlightened Yoga master could undertake. It has not been deemed necessary to update the original chapter on diet (chapter 7) in the light of the many, often contradictory, theories and recommendations on nutrition.

Please note that for safetys sake certain exercises included in this manual require a competent instructors supervision, while other advanced exercises, which are actually intended for spiritually oriented people, need a different level of supervisionthat of a guru, or spiritual guide. When the personal instruction of a teacher is necessary, it has been noted in the exercise directions.

Sri S. S. Goswami was remarkable for his outstanding personal achievements and for having presented astounding demonstrations of yogic bodily control in many locations throughout the world. He also shared with thousands of pupils the timeless experiences and values inherited from his own spiritual achievements in both Haha Yoga and Laya Yogatwo rather different yogic disciplines. The Lion of Bengal, as an admiring maharaja once liked to call him, was also an exceptional man of action, a yogi who dedicated about seventy years of his life exclusively to the regular practice, study, and investigation of the vast field of Yoga.

Dedicated to the Lord of Yoga, scientifically presented as a valuable bridge between Indias ancestral spiritual legacy and searching Western civilization, Sri S. S. Goswamis methodically elaborated Advanced Hatha Yoga has been for many years, and will surely continue to be, an exclusive reference for future generations, and as such replace the old manual Haha Yoga Pradipik, whichlike two other major references, the Gheraa Samhit and the iva Samhitis derived from very ancient texts. Sri S. S. Goswamis holistic teachings on the vast subject of Yoga, and in particular of the pragmatic philosophy of Haha Yoga, are actually a manifestation of the Bhagavad Gts triptych: knowledge, action, and love.

To all those who aspire to seriously undertake Haha Yoga, Sri S. S. Goswami recalls the necessity to first adopt the tenfold vitalizing and cleaning processes known as yama and niyama. This admonition is in harmony with the Yoga Bhshya Vivarana 2.29, whose tenet is that shantipoise or peace of mindis needed to qualify for Haha Yogas six further steps (angas). The ageless Haha Yoga is the most adapted to modern lifestyles among existing Ashtnga Yoga paths.

As a practical philosophy, Haha Yoga is particularly designed to fit typical representatives of the so-called Middle Way. It thus addresses those who stand with one foot in the frantic, centrifugal rhythm of social life and at the same time harbor genuine spiritual aspirations with the wish to enter into the evolutionary sphere of spiritual quest. Sri S. S. Goswamis classic Advanced Hatha Yoga is a precious cognitive tool for harmoniously combining these two lifestyles.

As a personal message, I should say that for many years Ive personally enjoyed, and still enjoy, in the fall of my life, the most appreciable and durable benefits from the regular practice of Sri Goswamis efficient philosophy of Haha Yoga. How? Mostly by improved immunity and vitality, strength and endurance, determination, peace of mind, mental power, andstill more importantthe privilege of a spiritual teachers lasting inspiration.

The author has commented, in an unpublished manuscript, upon lesser-known principles of Haha Yoga. A substantial part of these and other valuable original teachings will be published in my forthcoming book titled