Great Yoga Books - Bihar School of Yoga

I often Love to share yogic quotes or readings in class. Many of which come from one source in particular, the book I often refer to as the Big Orange Book (proper title to be revealed shortly). This book is a Gem! Of course it is, as all of the Bihar School of Yoga (BSY) books are rich in ancient yogic wisdom, yet written and readable for everyone. Bihar School of Yoga states (The BSY) "was founded in 1964 by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati to impart yogic training to householders and sannyasins alike." Essentially, wherever you are on the yogic path, the Bihar Yoga books are written for you. An integral aspect of the BSY books is they are backed by medical research and the applicable research is incorporated into the relevant books. If you have not already discovered these books, then know when you come across a book with '3 white stripes with a red dot' header that you have found a Bihar School of Yoga book. However, remember that the wisdom within all of these 70+ books are just road maps guiding each of us back to what we already know within..."The inner potential of the individual always exists - yoga merely cuts away the dross to allow it to show itself."

My Favorites books from Bihar School of Yoga:

* A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya

(Big Orange Book)

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/a_and_p.htm#Yoga_Kriya

* Four Chapters on Freedom

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/comm.htm

* Yoga Nidra

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/med.htm

* Kundalini Tantra

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/phil.htm

* Meditation from the Tantras

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/med.htm

* Hatha Yoga Pradipika

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/a_and_p.htm#hyp

* ALL of the Health Management Books

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/health.htm

Below was read in class, which sparked this blog, taken from the Big Orange Book, "A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya":

Lesson 17

There was once a famous sculptor. One day he was visited by some people who wanted to see his work. He took them to his studio and showed them a number of pieces of stone that had been partly chipped away. None of the stone blocks resembled anything tangible and were far from being beautiful. The visitors were a little disappointed, for they came expecting to see aesthetic pieces of sculpture. Then the sculptor said: "This is where I start work on my creations; now let us go to the next room." His visitors went to the next room and were confronted with objects that were beginning to look more shapely. They were more impressed. Then the sculptor led them to another room and he showed them exquisite works of art. The visitors were delighted and exclaimed that they had never seen such delicate pieces of sculpture. But the sculptor explained that he had not finished work on them; they had yet to be polished before they reached the stage of perfection.

The gradual transformation that the visitors saw in the sculptures is analogous to the transformation that takes place in an individual when he practices yoga. At first his character is gross and unrefined. Something is lacking. Then in time, his attitude towards life, himself and others changes. His sensitivity increases. He starts to radiate that which is already within him. Yoga unfolds the inner being of the individual, in the same way that the sculptor slowly exposes the shape of his works. The shape is already inherent within the stone - the sculptor only cuts away the extraneous material that hides it. In the same way, the inner potential of the individual always exists - yoga merely cuts away the dross to allow it to show itself.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Christy.

Live Fully.

Love Fiercely.

Lila/Play Freely.

www.livelovelila.com

GiveLove.Org

Why I support GiveLove (NGO) :)

Our first chakra right states, everyone has the right to be here, feel safe and secure. When our basic needs are not met or are compromised, our foundation for growth is weakened. When we trust our foundation, roots, family, origin, we feel the necessary support to grow and flourish. Like a tree, the deeper the roots the stronger the branches. When the earth shifts, we may feel a sense of imbalance and possibly fear in that which is ungrounded. Fortunately, we live in a community based society with an abundance of resources to recover quickly from earth-moving events, which may bring a sense of security and safety to our first chakra. The sense of community in Haiti before the devastating earthquake was not well established. Therefore, the first chakra issues that were already present were magnified when the 7.0 earthquake shook Haiti’s foundation on January 12, 2010.

The 2011 non-profit organization I choose to support by offering loving intentions and financial donations is GiveLove. GiveLove is a non-profit organization that provides housing, eco-sanitation, composting, green schools, and love in earthquake-torn Haiti. As love holds the highest vibration, this organization gives back to Haiti through offerings of the heart, tangible resources as well as tools and knowledge for a sustaining future. GiveLove allows Haitians to regain and reclaim their basic right for survival through shelter, sanitation and a sense of community. It is my vision that through GiveLove and our personal offerings that we can raise the vibration as well as establish a sense of first chakra stability in Haiti. GiveLove not only gives to Haiti, it also uplifts my own heart, knowing that their commitment is creating deep roots for a solid future for many living in Haiti at this time. May the silver lining continue to grow and may this love continue to spread.

In 2010, I worked with a GiveLove charity team, L.A. Gives Love, to raise donations for Haiti. The community based event was successful in offering love and raising $3,000 in donations to support GivesLove’s efforts to Haiti. May this video share the feeling of the event. With Love, Christy Evans.

http://youtu.be/fS8l6oKsjmw

Christy.

Live Fully.

Love Fiercely.

Lila/Play Freely.

www.livelovelila.com