Learn how to incorporate traditional yoga into your modern practice - and feel the benefits. Yoga in its traditional form is a practice focused on inclusivity, inner work and peace. But the yoga that is practised today in the West has got a little lost along the way. In this accessible beginner''s guide, Indian yoga teacher Nikita Desai brings us back to the authentic roots of this ancient practice. In A Beginner''s Guide to the Roots of Yoga , Desai unpicks the complexities of the modern yoga space. Moving away from the focus on physical poses, she delves into traditional resources to show how yoga can help your mental and spiritual wellbeing. With a range of enlightening essays, she explores why change in the industry is vital, before centring key yogic texts, philosophy and history in a digestible manner to give you a basic understanding of the origins of yoga. Desai then guides you through integrating these foundations into your current practice both on and off the mat, so you can enjoy the benefits of the tradition while helping to make yoga today a more inclusive and diverse space. A Beginner''s Guide to the Roots of Yoga is the perfect companion for anyone wanting to make their practice more authentic.>

Vorwort
A practical and accessible guide to incorporating traditional yoga into a modern practice, by an Indian yoga teacher and educator.

Autorentext

Nikita Desai

Inhalt

Introduction
How to use this book
A note on Sanskrit

Part 1: Why we should aim for an authentic yoga practice

1 - Problem 1: The emphasis of physicality in modern yoga
2 - Problem 2: Cultural appropriation in modern yoga
3 - Problem 3: Commercialisation in modern yoga
4 - Problem 4: The lack of diversity in modern yoga
Summary

Part 2: The foundations of yoga and a (very brief) history

1 - A brief timeline to the history of yoga
2 - The roots of yoga
3 - Significant literature in yoga
4 - Significant gurus of yoga
5 - The colonial history of India and the British ban on yoga
Summary

Part 3: Integrating authenticity into your practice

1 - Three key yogic teachings
2 - Types or styles of Yoga
3 - Traditional yoga: The four key margas
4 - Traditional yoga: Hatha yoga
5 - A note on chakras
6 - Traditional yoga: Ashtanga yoga
7 - Limb 1 - Yamas - Our nehaviours
8 - Limb 2 - Niyamas - Self Ooservations
9 - Limb 3 - Asana - Physical postures
10 - Limb 4 - Pra?ayama - Regulation of breath
11 - Limb 5 - Pratyahara - The influence of our senses
12 - Limb 6 - Dharana - Concentration of the mind
13 - Limb 7 - Dhyana - Meditation
14 - Limb 8 - Samadhi - Pure awareness
15 - Yoga Nidra - A practice for deep relaxation
16 - Studying yogic texts/scriptures

Part 4: Continuing your journey

1 - 10 next steps
2 - My hope for the future
3 - Resources

References
Acknowledgements
Index