Yoga The Indian Tradition [Hardcover]

The popular perception of yoga in the West remains for the most part that of a physical fitness program, largely divorced from its historical and spiritual roots. The essays collected here provide a sense of the historical emergence of the classical system presented by Pata?jali, a careful examination of the key elements, overall character and contemporary relevance of that system (as found in the Yoga Sutra) and a glimpse of some of the tradition's many important ramifications in later Indian religious history.'What is distinctive about this volume is its attention to careful historical analysis, a focus on the practice of yoga, and critical philosophical reflection.' - Gerald James Larson, University of California, Santa Barbara, Journal of American Oriental Society 128.1 (2008)