Original Yoga: Rediscovering Traditional Practices of Hatha Yoga

by Richard Rosen

Part history, part philosophy, part yoga instruction manual, this book clears up some of the confusion and misconceptions about the development of yoga, both traditional and modern. Richard Rosen draws from ancient yoga manuals, which combine philosophy with postures and meditations, to show how traditional practice compares with what we do today. He is an engaging, experienced guide who reveals the development of modern yoga through the centuries and shows how the ancient yogis did it.

Each section offers a guided practice session of ancient poses and breathing techniques to enable readers to connect to the roots of their yoga and to provide a framework for understanding the sequences they use in their regular sessions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is that rare gem in the yoga literature, one that appreciates it's possible to be serious and humorous at the same time. Rosen takes us on a journey back into the Middle Ages of yoga in search of original Hatha (physical) yoga practices, which with the Hatha Yoga Project is now becoming something of a sport. His remix of the Goraksha Samhita gives us a delightful glimpse of the sort of postural practices that may have predated the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

[Mark Beeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I had a very hard time getting used to the author's rather glib writing style. At times it is condescending, sarcastic and dismissive of the core of his subject matter. The heart of the subject matter is a commentary on Gheranda Samhita but it also wanders off on other common themes in yoga and the author frequently states that if you are interested in a particular subject in the book you should read one of his other books or one of the other source materials. In addition there is unique terminology introduced for common terms that everyone already understands like mudras and bhandas and for no apparent reason. Ultimately I would recommend to take the author's recommendation seriously just skip this book and read the source materials, there are so many other great books on the same topics and much less insulting to both the reader and to the the spirit of yoga itself.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and concise

The only improvement would be more illustrations. Using another book as the reference for photos isn't very helpful. Lowers the rating from 5 stars to 4.5 stars.

[Cindy Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a hard read. More like a text book than story explanations. And now believe that all western Hatha classes are taught completely wrong. HA!

[Sesh Hamm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very strange exposition. The strongest part of the book is the introduction plus chapter one and then it's like the author loses his way.
Mr. Rosen uses primary sources to show that today's yoga is not the practice of ancient yogis being at best 1-2 centuries old. Back then, yoga was really preparation for meditation. Then, he catalogs the "ancient" asanas with somewhat dense descriptions and too few illustrations.
My general feeling was that the author had spent too much time in his own ivory tower and there was a tinge of condescension throughout.

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too long and too difficult for a beginner like me; even if I liked to read something about the history and the evolution of Yoga practice, in the end it was too much.

Troppo lungo e specialistico per una principiante come me; anche se mi p interessato leggere le origini dello yoga e parte della sua evoluzione, alla fine era un libro un po' troppo noioso.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND SHAMBALA FOR THE PREVIEW

[Dani Scher]

Amazing As expected

This book was Amazing As expected. It is richard Rosen...of course it completely changed my life as a yoga Practioner and a full time Yoga instructor.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good analysis from an honest perspective

[Stephanie Spence]

One of the best yoga authors I know. I sought Richard Rosen out when I was in San Francisco and his classes are exceptional. I will buy any book he writes. He is an exceptional writer and all of his books are so well written I think they should be included in college yoga classes. Perhaps they are.