Three Essential Classic Yoga Books for International Yoga Day
Yoga is the ancient art of connecting your mind, heart and body, and is traditionally believed to bring the soul closer to enlightenment. The physical and spiritual activity originated in India over 5,000 years ago, aiming to still your thoughts and bring balance to your life.
What Is International Yoga Day?
International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21st. The worldwide event encourages new people to begin practising yoga and adopt the lifestyle, falling annually on the Summer Solstice, due to the global spiritual significance of Midsummer and its connection to the origin of yoga.
The Summer Solstice has great significance in relation to yoga due to the Saptarishi story. A tale of the seven sages, or seven rishis, it chronicles a journey of enlightenment following the first people to learn the art of yoga in ancient India.
The Saptarishi Story
Shiva, the Hindu God of Destruction and Patron of Yoga and Meditation, sat in a peaceful meditation for many years. As he meditated, crowds of people came to him, but he ignored them all. Gradually they left until only seven remained. These seven sat with Shiva for 84 years. On the Summer Solstice, the god could ignore them no longer and 28 days later, on the following full moon, Shiva became the first guru, Adiguru, and transferred his knowledge of yoga to the seven sages.
Collectively known as the Saptarishi, the seven sages can be seen in the Ursa Major constellation. According to ancient Indian astronomy, the Big Dipper asterism comprises seven stars representing the Saptarishi: Vashistha, Marichi, Pulastya, Pulaha, Atri, Angiras, and Kratu.
Essential Classic Yoga Books
To celebrate this International Yoga Day, we’ve collated our top three essential classic books to further you yoga knowledge and practice.
By reading these classic texts, you’ll can gain a deep understanding of the philosophical foundations, spiritual principles, and practical techniques of Yoga. This knowledge will guide and enrich your yoga journey and spiritual growth.
This 1901 work by Rajaram Tookaram contains a detailed guide to Rāja yoga. Also known as “royal yoga”, “royal union”, “sahaj marg”, “classical yoga”, and “aṣṭāṅga yoga”, Rāja yoga refers to both the ultimate aim of yoga and way of reaching it. This vintage book comprises the most important treatises of Shrimat Shankaracharya, together with other writings by renowned scholars.
This classic yoga book will provide you deep knowledge into the philosophy, principles, and practices of Raja Yoga, offering valuable insights and guidance for spiritual seekers.
This classic yoga book, co-authored by Charles F. Haanel and Victor Simon Perera, The Amazing Secrets of the Yogi was first published in 1937. The yoga guide is an ideal book for anyone wanting to learning how to master yoga and maintain their mental and physical health.
Various yoga techniques are explained from breath control to thought control. Ideas of philosophy are incorporated into the text due to Haanel’s interest in philosophical study and his famous work in the New Thought movement. The spiritual movement allied different religions and beliefs into one coexisting group, including the Law of Attraction, which Haanel explores in this volume. Accessible and easy to follow, this self-help book will assist you in understanding and mastering the practice of yoga.
This concise volume explores the history of yoga and its links to Hindu philosophy. It draws parallels between the yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism, exploring their shared principles. This comparative study can provide a broader perspective and deeper understanding of the practice of yoga and mystical traditions.
Sir Monier Monier-Williams’ Mystical Buddhism was originally published in 1888. Monier-Williams gave a lecture on the subject to the Victoria Institute, and it was this lecture that later became a book for a wider audience to enjoy.
If you are looking for more well-being and spirituality guidance, be sure to check out our wealth of Health and Lifestyle titles. You can also discover a myriad of self-help books in our gifting guide, and you can explore our many eBooks, which will support your personal development, in this blog post. Have a wonderful #InternationalYogaDay.
