The Essential Yoga Sutra: Ancient Wisdom for Your Yoga

by Michael Roach, Patañjali (Based On Work by), Christie McNally

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is a classic Sanskrit treatise consisting of 195 “threads,” or aphorisms, describing the process of liberation through yoga. Although little is known about Patanjali (most scholars estimate that he lived in India circa 200–300 B.C.), his writings have long been recognized as a vital contribution to the philosophy and practice of yoga. This new, expert translation of the original Sanskrit text of Patanjali’s best-known work presents his seminal ideas and methods in accessible, plain-language English.

Patanjali organized the sutra into four Samadhi (absorption), Sadhana (practice), Vibhuti (supernatural powers), and Kaivalya (liberation). Each represents a step in breaking free of our limited definition of consciousness and training the mind to achieve oneness with the universe. Geshe Michael Roach, one of the most respected teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in America and a renowned scholar of Sanskrit, provides authoritative commentary on each of the sutras. His notes and clarification are straightforward and highly readable, untainted by obscure, academic terminology or New Age jargon. The first edition of the Yoga Sutra to present a Buddhist perspective, this paperback original will be welcomed by students and spiritual seekers alike.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Reference

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 2005

About the author

Geshe Michael Roach was born in California and graduated from Princeton University with honors. He has also received the Presidential Scholar Medallion from the President of the United States, at the White House.

He was the first American to complete and receive the “Geshe” degree after 25 years of study with Sera Mey Buddhist Monastery of India. At the same time, he helped to found Andin International Diamond Corporation in New York City, which grew from a small investment to $250 million USD in annual sales, and was purchased in 2009 by super-investor Warren Buffet. Geshe Michael’s profits from Andin International were used almost entirely to create and support several charitable organizations.

Reviews

[Nico · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a TERRIBLE translation of the Yoga Sutras. Roach mistranslates and distorts the aphorisms of Patanjali to advance a wierd hybrid form of yoga mixed with Tibetan buddhism. As an example he translates "isvara pranidhanava" as the Master and that you must ask "her for her blessing." In his commentary, he writes that "isvara" is a living person that we must ask blessing from. "Isvara" translates, normally, to supreme god, or brahma and the entire phrase works out, according to the Monier Williams Sanskrit Dictionary as devotion to God. This wouldn't be such a bad thing until you realize that Roach's Mater is himself and he is gathering people around him in ways becoming of a sect leader. Roach has been admonished by HH the Dalai Lama and asked not to return to Dharamsala. Instead he is living out in the deserts of Arizona with a bunch of female consorts. This YS translation is a dangerous and distorted work, and should be avoided.

[Madi · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was put asside by the fact that it is a fictional book, and not a more philosophical one. But as pages went down, the message of the yoga sustras was more clear to me.

In the story of a yogi girl, trapped in a remote prison in India, I've found inspiration for my own yoga practice, understanding of the underlying energies that go along with yoga and wisdom to carry on in my normal life. A highly recommended read for both yoga lovers and spiritual seekers.

Namaste!

[V K · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit New Age-y. Gets the point across, but I think it is the Yoga Sutra book for folks who put tiny braids in their hair, smell of patchouli, and talk about the other dimension. Doesn't get into the subtle meaning of the sutras in any profound way.

[Gea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not recommend this translation. It was very hippy/dippy/new agey. It didn't feel accurate although I do not know sanskrit. But, I have read portions of other translations which felt much more authentic. I plan to read another translation in the future.

[Jami · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want to know about Pantajali's sutras, don't buy this book. Some of the explanations are pretty far out there and will leave you much more confused than you were to begin with. It's a very poorly written book.

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is a translation of ancient sanskrit text, which is interesting to see how we’ve evolved, but isn’t very practical. there could have been a blip in translation, or maybe this is really how it’s written, but with modernity i don’t find it to be true. i personally felt a lot of this was too far fetched, too embellished, lacking grounding. this book was all about treating others kindly and you will be treated with respect in return, grow wealthy, grow healthy and happy. i don’t believe that to be true. people can be as kind as they want all day long, that doesn’t mean they’re entitled to any of those things mentioned. i believe in being kind to others but i do it knowing that not everything is going to work out for me. i’m not going to receive good karma for the rest of my life. this book talks a lot about seeds, growing the good and weeding the bad, and i feel like it’s that simple. there’s always going to be duality, and i feel it tried so hard to tell me one thing, it forgot to mention the other. my yoga and meditation practices are to sustain clarity, reduce anxiety, and feel at peace in my body—which it does—so none of this was pertinent to my practice. my practice is defined by my rules and i think i’ve achieved enlightenment by my own standards without adhering to the 108 “rules” of meditation and yoga.

[faith adams-michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to rate a translation with so little knowledge of the original, so I am rounding up. The book has some really interesting concepts- emptiness, for example, basically that we ascribe meaning to the things around us, they don't inherently contain that meaning. But my problem with books like this is always that everything is said with absolute certainty, as if you couldn't possibly consider otherwise, and are foolish if you do. I guess that's part of true belief in this content, but it's tiring. I like the information but not the self-righteousness.

[Allen Herring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it. The philosophical implications of what yoga means physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Not a fan of the use of the word "angel" as it evoked Catholicism and really pulled me out every time the word appeared. If another word was used i might have given it a five.

[Tamara Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried so hard to enjoy this book, but it just doesn't work for me. I think it was poorly written.

[Ana-maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

a book that all people that are practicing yoga should read :)

[Charles McGrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several other translations; I like this one the best. Very direct, uncomplicated easy to follow

[Carrie Bays · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice intro to the yoga sutras, especially if you don't have a teacher to help you understand it. Each sutra has commentary that puts the idea into modern day vernacular.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I agree with the principles expressed, and it is quite likely the translation is literally correct, it feels as though the heart of the concept is missing.

[Fatou · Rating 2 out of 5]

While there are some useful ideas in this book, this is really not the book one should read to get acquainted with Yoga sutra. The translation and interpretation leave much to desire.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A somewhat difficult read but it is a classic for the spiritual practice of Yoga. It is much more than a western method of exercise.

[Kevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was crap.

Makes a lot of assumptions about what people want and our destinies (spoiler, it's for each of us to save the world). The translator claims we dream about it all the time and we *need* to save the world. And this led into a discussion about simplifying your life. Something I'm all for, but a non-sequitur the way it is presented. Lots of other dumb stuff that I don't feel like repeating cause it's too mind-numbing.

I've heard that the sutras are very dependent on the translation. This translation discussed the reality of socks being by the bed but under a shirt, and breakfast being ready because ma said so. Also used examples that were a bit extreme, like a child attacking a tv screen because the actors are being bad.

I'm thinking this book's failure is entirely centered around the translation.

[Amy Boogie King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm half way through so far. It has read as very Buddhist to me. Buddhism and Yoga definitely intersect in many of its views. Having read and working on vows from the book by Geshe Michael, the part I'm reading now (8 limbs), reads very much like his "the book". Its a little weird to read in that way if you're expecting something else...but then there is something about expectations.....

I wouldn't dismiss this book entirely as many of the reviewers seem to do here. It's not like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali or like Yoga Mala by Jois. It does read more like a Buddhist text but that just means it's different not worse.

There is something to be learned from it.
Read all the books.
Open hearts and open minds.....

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels a bit awkward rating a several thousand year old spiritual text, but I guess the rating is more for the translation and explanations than the text itself. I don't know if it was because of the explanations, but there were parts that got a bit too fruity for me. Call me a cynic, but I really couldn't rap my mind around some of the concepts. Perhaps I should read another translation, or perhaps I need a teacher to actually work with me on the text. Either way, it was certainly eye-opening and worth reading for any serious yoga student.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a copy of this signed by Geshe Roach and Lama Christie. I have several books by Geshe Roach (The Garden is my favorite) and my good friends studied yoga under them. They sent a signed book back to me when they heard that I lost my copy.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the translations seem either confusing or a little off to me. Obviously the Yoga Sutras can be translated in a lot of ways, but comparing it to other translations, some of these were more confusing than other translations to me. It's not bad, but it's not my favorite translation either.

[Christine Chew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book gets more and more difficult to understand as it progress. Not sure if it’s suitable for beginners who just learned about yoga and meditation. However if you see it as poetry, everything seems more digestible.

[Denise Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great explanation of the sutras.

[Kellyann]

http://www.43things.com/entries/view/...

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently on Sutra 93.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally far out and mystical. If you think yoga is just about toning your abs, you're not even close!

[Melinda McLaughlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not terribly impressed so far. Anyone have a better recommendation for the Yoga Sutras?

[Lauren Daddis]

This will be a constant re-read for me. Always studying the sutras.

[Michele Dulas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is an excellent way to learn about the 8 limbs of yoga. This is great information on how to take your Yoga practice to a whole new level. Short, sweet and to the point.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Dan Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It definitely outlines the whole Yoga Sutra. Definitely hard to take in and understand at points, but worth it. I'd recommend reading hte whole thing for a general idea, then studying it.