Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein   Paperback 357 pages (April 11, 2000) Shambhala ISBN: 1570625557 Bookshelf Categories Yoga & Hinduism

Synopsis:

Book Description

Here is an authentic portrayal of a rich and complex spiritual tradition of India. The over two thousand entries cover Yoga's history, its many approaches, schools, teachers, scriptures, as well as its technical terminology. The book is arranged and written in a manner that will inform rather than overwhelm the lay reader, while at the same time offering valuable references for the professional researcher and the historian of religion.

The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga offers the following features:

Each entry has cross-references providing pertinent conceptual links.

Entries are in English alphabetical order, unlike comparable reference works that follow Sanskrit alphabetical order, which is difficult for the lay reader to follow.

Orientational entries provide an overview of central aspects of the Yoga tradition, such as history, psychology, and major branches.

Many entries cite or even quote original sources, shedding light on how a given term is used by traditional Yoga authorities.

Reviews:

Indispensable, lively and a pleasure to read	5/3/2002
Reviewer: Dennis from SoCal
This book stands alone in English. There is simply nothing else like it. Feuerstein is the leading academic expert on yoga in the United States while Shambhala is the leading publisher of books on yoga, so it is not surprising that this is clearly a superior work that fills a void. As such it is a boon to scholars and practitioners alike. It is also very well cross-referenced so that a reader may, by following the starred words, begin or expand his own study of yoga. There is a guide to pronunciation of the Sanskrit words, numerous bits of black and white artwork and photos, and an engaging and informative introduction by Feuerstein. This handsome book has all those words that you won't find in even an unabridged English dictionary, defined and given their expression in an historical and spiritual context. Anyone with more than a passing interest in yoga will find this book invaluable. I should add that this is a revised and greatly expanded edition of Dr. Feuerstein's Encyclopedic Dictionary of Yoga (1990), and that it dwarfs both Ernest Wood's Yoga Wisdom (1970) and Harvey Day's Yoga Illustrated Dictionary (1971), which I have enjoyed, but which are also very much out of date. For Dr. Feuerstein's revision (due circa 2010, I would imagine) perhaps some entries on Westerners (and contemporaries) who have contributed to the study and practice of yoga would be appropriate, including, e.g., Theos Bernard (I was pleased to see eleven photos herein of Bernard demonstrating asana), Richard Hittleman, B.K.S. Iyengar, Swami Vishnudevananda, and others. Bottom line: this is an up to date, thorough, and lively work of reference without peer.

Must Resource Book for Yoga Teachers/Students	1/25/2000
Reviewer: Robert from Philadelphia, PA USA
As a yoga writer, teacher and PhD, I still use this Dr. Feuerstein's Encyclopedia of Yoga daily as I study yoga. The precise explanations help me understand the subtle points of yoga. The references to other Sanskrit terms is invaluable. This book is worth it, especially to help when reading other texts. I write this as a thanks for this great book!

A magnificent book of reference and daily use	7/30/1998
Reviewer: A reader
An invaluable resource book for all lovers of yoga, meditation, spirituality, and human potential. Dispels many common misconceptions about yoga and reveals its true message. A great buy!

A resource for every serious Yoga student.	6/29/1998
Reviewer: An Amazon.com Customer
If you are serious about Yoga, this is the one book you should have on your shelves. It will give you a sense of the vastness of the yogic tradition and will answer most of your questions about it. I wrote this book after 30 years of research and practice, and I am very much aware of all the things the encyclopedia doesn't cover. So, you might also want to acquire my life's work THE YOGA TRADITION, which will be available toward the end of 1998.