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Classical texts
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra
One of the fundamental texts in the philosophy of yoga and considered to be one of the most influential. Based on one of the six Darshanas (schools) in Indian philosophy, the Samakhiya school.
Consists of about 196 short and concise sutras (threads or verses), which describe the practical ways to reach a state of unity and liberation.
The Yogasutra has many interpretations and due to the fact that sutras are so concise, many have found different qualities and meanings for them.
It is a very important text, giving dedicated practitioners tools to get to know and examine the world, which begins on the practice mat and continues beyond it - into everyday life.
Link to read and download Danny Rave's translation
Link to purchase a translation by Orit Sen Gupta
Link to purchase Swami Venkatesananda's translation
The Bhagavadgita
One of the most famous Hindu texts, part of the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. written as a conversation between Krishna and the legendary warrior Arjuna. It is a founding philosophical and theological text and is one of the direct sources in the philosophy of yoga.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
A Text from the 15th century, written by Swami Swatmarama. This is one of the three most important texts dealing with Hatha Yoga, along with the Shiva Samhita and the Geranda Samhita.
The text details a variety of practice and cleansing techniques (Kriya) and deals extensively with asanas, breathing techniques (pranayama), Mudras and Bandhas, all of which are practices that prepare the practitioner for the enlightenment phase.
Yoga Rahasia
A text attributed to the great yogi Natamoni, which was rewritten by T. Krishnamacharya.
In this book, Krishnamacharya describes in detail ideas that were considered groundbreaking in the world of yoga and brings with it a great deal of information about the different ways in which the many tools offered by yoga can be adapted - To be applied in different situations and to different people.
The text refers to the way in which yoga can be adapted for women in general and the period of pregnancy in detail, how the practice of yoga can be adapted to the different stages of life and how yoga can be used as a therapeutic tool.
This text was one of the direct sources for Krishnamacharya's teaching and the way he saw the practice.
