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Wisdom (1970) and Harvey Day's Yoga Illustrated Dictionary (1971), which I have enjoyed, but which are also very much out of date.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.

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!

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!

When looking for books on Yoga, I had no idea where to start and I didn't want to read some...American trying to cash in book. I saw this book and it seemed real. Wow, I'm glad this is the first book I read on Yoga. Georg Feurstein fully knows and understands the essence of Yoga. The book touches on everything from the history of Yoga to a Yogi's diet. I like how Feurstein always refers back to the old Sanskrit texts of Yogi practices. However, if you are looking for a book where you actually do the postures then look for another book because this book doesn't satisfy that. You should read all you can about Yoga before attempting it, I know my presumptions on Yoga have been changed from reading this book.

This book gave me a clearer understanding of Yoga. My greatest compliment is that it sustained my interest enough to read the book to the end. I enjoyed the humanistic tone of the book, and the simple ordering and structure of topics which brought clarity to a potentially overwhelming subject. I look forward very much to reading more of Georg Feuerstein's books.

Another wonderful introductions to yoga. I recommend it very highly. This is a book that you will read and reread.

This is a book that lifts you to a higher frequency of light on the first page and never lets you down. What wonderful blessings it brings to the world! As Larry Dossey succinctly states in his foreword, "There are rare moments in our life when the discovery of a particular book, teaching, or piece of wisdom, simly stuns us and leaves us breathlessly filled with awe, gratitude, and joy. We recognize immediately that we have come upon a great treasure.As we stand in its presence and yield to its brilliance, we can sense immediately that it has begun to change us. That has been my response to encountering the work of the remarkable Bulgarian spiritual teacher Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov."

Feuerstein has captured the spirit of Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov's life of loving compassion and his practical yet profound teaching. For example, Feuerstein says: "To realize the Spirit, we must vibrate at its unsurpassed rate. Spiritual life can be understood as the discipline of voluntarily stepping up our rate of vibration."

He follows this remark with Aivanhov's comment about being alive.

"You are only alive if you emanate love. It's so easy to practice! For instance, when no one is looking, lift your right hand high and project all your love to the whole universe, to the stars, to the angels and archangels, saying: 'I love you, I love you, I want to be in harmony with you!' And in this way you form the habit of always emanating something vibrant and intense, you become a living source, a source of love."

The Mystery of Light brings the ageless wisdom into the practical realities of our physical lives. I wholeheartedly recommend it to all those who are open to great spiritual teachings.

Mr. Feuerstein has brilliantly captured the essence of Master Omraam. His book introduces us to both the history of this great man and his teachings and is a must read for anyone interested in higher spirituality and Omraam's work.

The Encyclopedic Dictionary of Yoga is an invaluable and absolutely indispensable guide for students of Yoga, Samkhya, and Vedanta. Comprehensive in both scope and depth, it lucidly explains the terminology used in these Eastern religions, covering the most basic concepts to the most esoteric. This dictionary is a remarkable achievement and is a reflection of Georg Feuerstein's standing as a scholar of the highest order. I have referred to this book often. I shall refer to it again and again.

If you are a fan of Georg Feuerstein's writings, this book resembles the Philosophy of Classical Yoga in that it is written for the more intermediate, advanced or scholarly yoga student as it reviews yoga's early roots in the Vedic tradition, while relating the study to the Christian mystic, Meister Eckhart. From her expertise in the Vedas, co-author Jeanine Miller offers her insights that help the Vedas come alive for the reader and realize how the yoga of today springs forth from a 5,000 year old tradition.

This is an extensive and innovative review of the traditional teachings of Yoga, well delivered in an engaging, conversational manner. The key Yoga teachings from the Hindu, Buddhist and Jainism traditions are systematically developed, well-woven with references to both the classic literature and an astounding range of references to other world wisdom traditions and history. Among my favorites is his linking of the four traditional goals of life from the Vedas with the Declaration of Independence of the United States and the preamble to the Constitution.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are, of course, discussed in depth. I appreciate his emphasis on the central role of the Kriya Yoga model of transformation - a model still quite relevant today - even though there are some differences from the Krishnamacharya teachings I have heard from Desikachar and Kraftsow. All of the more well known eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are discussed in depth, with much deserved emphasis on the Yamas and Niyamas, the traditional moral foundations of Yoga. Each of the seven traditional paths of Yoga are well explained in some especially educational ways, not just listing the different paths. Georg's command and experience with of the spectrum of Yoga teachings allows him to present some of the teachings in new ways, such as his 12 steps to spiritual recovery and his tests for authentic yoga.

The lecture style is easy to listen to. He peppers his discussions with questions that a modern student would logically ask, and then weaves personal experience into his answers. Feuerstein is not afraid to focus on contemporary issues with the lens of the classical teachings. For example, free market capitalism. As an economist I have a few different interpretations than his, but I appreciate the importance of examining modern situations and making personal choices from a considered moral foundation as opposed to simply self-interest.

I see these tapes as an important resource in three key ways. First, as a delightful educational and thought-provoking experience for the Yoga student in all of us - perhaps on long cross-country drives as I do. Second, for Yoga teachers brushing up on selected topics for their own teaching. The tapes have already helped me prepare for a couple of lectures I am giving later this month. Third, I see these tapes as recommended or required "reading" in the many new Yoga teacher-training courses springing up around the country to help meet their philosophy requirement.

My only regret is that these lectures on tape are not available in written form so one can easily go back to review and highlight key sections. Feuerstein is a prolific writer and these teaching are well discussed in a wide variety of his books elsewhere. In my view, however, the lectures on this tape set are especially well put together. They are an intellectual tour de force distilling many decades of study and writing. I very much enjoy hearing them in his own voice.

This book is for the intermediate to advanced student or teacher of yoga who wishes to understand the definitions and inter-relationships between the concepts of classical yoga. For those interested in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, this text will help you access the ideas that lead to liberation. A clear understanding helps one's spiritual practice. This is a short book that is read slowly and digested. It serves as a reference to review from time to time as well. Enjoy! It would be a good gift for someone who is really into yoga, but not the choice for the novice.

This is my favorite of the many books by this well respected yoga scholar. It's a series of original essays on many different facets of Yoga. Extremely informative and simply a joy to read. For example, anyone who has struggled to gain a perspective on the many Indians who have so influenced Yoga in the West will love Chapter 3, "East Meets West: A Historical Perspective." It places many famous yogis in context: Vivekananda, Ramakrishna, Theo Bernard's unknown teacher-Yogendra, Yogananada, Ramana Maharshi-the sage Paul Bruton made famous in the West, Krishnamacharya-the scholar,practitioner and healer who launched the modern revival of hatha yoga via his students, and many more. See Chapter 5, "Science Studies Yoga", for a review of early and modern efforts to measure what yogis are doing and quantify what the benefits of practice are. Chapters 12 and 13, "The History of Hatha Yoga" and "The Evolution of Posture",discuss the relatively short history of what many normally think of as Yoga today. There is even a delightful "interview" with Patanjali, where a modern scholar asks the sage many of the questions students throughout the ages have wondered about. This book is out of print, but well worth the effort to solicit via Amazon or, better yet, petition Georg for another printing.

Extremely well-written, organized, and informative. A rare, intelligent book on human sexuality and gender relations. A must-read for couples!

Teachings of Yoga always sells on our yoga center's bookstore. Often, people choose this book as a gift because of the short sayings translated by Dr. Feuerstein. The sayings are inspiring and easy reading. By reading these teachings, you will be lead further to study some of the great yoga practitioners.