A very dense read, this book (tome, rather) is not for the faint of heart. However, as a practicing yogi, I wanted to take a deeper dive into the practice and philosophy of yoga itself and this book has proved invaluable. I will be returning to it again and again for reference and guidance as I continue my practice.
Yoga is so much more than physical asana and this book helps the reader understand that through yoga’s foundational text: the Sutras of Pantajali. But, the Sutras themselves are super short and super condensed and difficult to understand by simply reading them as-is. Enter in The Science of Yoga. This book takes a deep dive into each sutra and connects the concepts together. Interestingly, this is not a linear book: that is to say, reading it “cover to cover” is almost not possible. That is probably what makes it most difficult for a western reader (like myself!) to follow. The reader should expect to do a lot of flipping around from section to section!
If you are looking to understand what yoga is, how to practice it, and what is possible from the practice beyond body flexibility, and are willing to wade through some pretty mind-bending content, this is the book for you. There is so much potential in and through the realms of our own (and collective) consciousness!