See also our yoga book review page .

Haṭhapradīpikā (Svami Svātmārāma, ~1350 CE)

The Haṭhapradīpikā is the most important text on the "physical" practices and describes kriya, asana, Prāṇāyāma, mudra techniques that are meant to support the inner Yoga practices as described in the Yoga sutra.

It must be considered as the immediate source of almost all popular Yoga systems/traditions today.

You'll be surprised how little of it is practiced in these today.

Yoga Sutra (Patanjali, between 200 BCE - 400 CE)

One of the most central scriptures on Yoga was composed by a legendary sage named Patanjali most likely about 2000-2200 years ago. The "philosophical psychology" which is expounded in the "Yoga Sutra" is the key for understanding what was originally meant by "Yoga".

Although Yoga techniques must have existed long time before Patanjali, It is the oldest text known summarizing the various aspects and practices of Yoga in a systematic yet extremely abstract way.

It is written in an extremely condensed form and requires intense studies and the guidance of a teachers to untangle the links hidden in the original Sanskrit text.

In this course we will give an overview of the key aspects of this text.

Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is another extremely important scripture dealing with the various aspects - or forms - of Yoga.

It is a wonderful lyrical composition that places our daily worries in relation to a truly mind blowing struggle of the famous hero Arjuna on a battle field. And even his struggle is neglectable to the complexity of Krishna's duty as the maintainer of the laws that govern the universe.

The Bhagavad Gita serves as a powerful reminder that one is not a true yogi if they flee in times of crisis. Yoga is no excuse to prioritize only one’s own well-being. We bear direct responsibility for actions that harm other living beings, whether directly or indirectly (e.g., CO2 emissions from air travel). Additionally, we are responsible when we fail to protect the vulnerable or to stand against environmental destruction and social injustice within our own communities.

Veda, Upanishads...

Yoga Sutra and Bhagavad Gita is just the - relatively accessible - tip of the iceberg.

Ask our teachers and/or check out our library for more highly interesting text leading to an understand of the actual meaning of Yoga.

Ignorance of the Texts and Its Catastrophic Consequences

The above-mentioned texts describe the true meaning of Yoga. However, in the West, Yoga is almost exclusively reduced to physical exercises, without understanding the deeper significance of its mental and spiritual dimensions. The result is practices that no longer have any connection to Yoga.
Even seemingly "spiritual" meditation techniques are rarely based on traditional foundations and therefore fail to deliver the results described in the texts. Knowledge is essential.

The reluctance of almost all teachers to engage deeply with the true tradition of Yoga has led to the point where the term "Yoga" itself is hardly understood in its true meaning. Students are misled in many ways, as what is labeled "Yoga" nowadays hardly contains anything of the original practice.

Esotericism in Yoga: A Dangerous Trend

On the other hand, there is an increasing tendency in Western Yoga to place spiritual aspects within an esoteric framework, filled with superficial mysticism and "magical" practices. Ancient terms from the texts are sometimes used, but often twisted beyond recognition. This esoteric perspective is yet another obstacle to the authentic understanding of Yoga, as it distracts from the actual teachings of the ancient texts. The original philosophy of Yoga is based on clear, structured principles, not on the creation of myths or supernatural explanations. Knowledge is only useful when it is subjected to critical questioning, rather than blind faith.