Classical Hatha Yoga
Classical Hatha Yoga A WONDERFUL RESOURCE for the sincere yoga practitioner January 26, 2008 By J Cb John (UK)   This book is very nicely produced .... Gets two thumbs up, being well worth the asking price. I am most impressed by this book. .... the section discussing the 'Khechari Mudra', is downright ASTONISHING. NEVER before have I encountered a text that is so incredibly incisive and authoritative about this practice .... the anatomical details provided in this discussion, in specific relation to this yogic practice, have NEVER been put into generally-available print, at ANY point in time. EVER.   Swami Rajarshi Muni cuts through the nonsense and provides exact details of the structures involved and the means by which they are engaged during the mudra .... the comparison between 'spontaneous' and 'artificial' means of approaching Khechari Mudra is thoroughly illuminating and the precise anatomical explanation has FINALLY enabled me to understand how amrit (nectar) from the pituitary gland can flow as a consequence of influence by the tongue. .... now that I know it can occur spontaneously, this raises PROFOUND philosophical questions. Personally, I am now acutely conscious of Swami Rajarshi's firm assertion that khechari mudra can (and, he claims, should) occur spontaneously. I say acutely conscious because now that I know it can occur spontaneously, this raises PROFOUND philosophical questions. If one considers the negative side effects as justification for arguing that khechari mudra must be unnatural and, in effect, a perversion of normal human anatomical processes, then WHY can it occur spontaneously? Furthermore, if you read the truly mind-blowing explanation of the neuro-anatomical basis for the flow of amrit, you will find it is so utterly astonishing that it seems, to me at least, that there was DEFINITELY some kind of deliberate implementation of this potential in the design of human anatomy, by whatever intelligent power lies behind the existence of the world as we know it. The implications of khechari mudra, from a physiological and neuro-anatomical standpoint, are just too far-reaching and profound for the spontaneity and complexity of the process to be a simple coincidence.   I feel that Swami Rajarshi's discussion of khechari mudra alone - these few pages - justify the purchase price of the book, in themselves - they have potentially averted me from decades of misapprehension regarding khechari mudra - what price can one put on that?  (The book) it is extremely well laid out and offers the reader rare clarity on the complexities of hatha yoga.  I have read yoga books by many authors .... but the manner in which Swami Rajarshi Muni has written this book - SO frankly, SO lucidly, SO powerfully and authentically...just leaves me daydreaming, wishing the impossible - that, in this lifetime, I could, through some divine intervention, somehow come to be a disciple of his. It's in the top 5% of the books I've encountered on the subject. --amazon.com January 26, 2008 By J Cb John (UK)First of all, there is already a HUGE review for this book & I agree with all of that. But here's where I add my opinion: This is a no-nonsense book written almost like a text / reference book. So if you are looking for a easy reading book, this is not it. On the other hand, if you are looking for a book that guides you as a serious Yoga student, then you are on right track. Go ahead and get it - You won't find another book like this.  The book is divided into many sections and the Asanas are grouped into various stages. This is done to allow each student to master each individual group separately and then progress to the next level. The yoga institute (in India) that he (the author) has reshaped follows the same approach. They teach you a set of asanas and theory behind those asana and let you master those. Once you pass the test on the asanas, you are allowed to go to the next level. This book follows similar structure however, it does not talk about mastering each stage before moving onto the next one. Along with each asana, the book describes the benefits of each asana as well as pitfalls. (Note that the Lotus position, very well known for meditation, should not be practiced for a long time without a guru's guidance. i.e. Don't use it for meditation if your sessions are beyond 5-minute range.)  The preliminary chapters talk about the 8 parts of yoga (Ashtanga Yoga) and what is necessary to get one out of the Maya of this world, out of the business of building bad karma. The author states that this is important for one's progress through yoga. One of the important aspects that Swami Rajarshi Muni has stressed on is Mitahar - or eat sufficient and only as much as is needed for the body - no more.  All the talk about Khechari Mudra with that Huge Review is well described in the book. The Khechari Mudra is the ultimate mudra for a Yogi through which the Divine Body can be achieved. The author's other book: Divine body through Yoga, talks about what the Divine body is and reasons why it must be possible. It is the ultimate goal for a Yogi. The author is the first one to talk about Divine Body with the intent of making it known to everyone outside of India and outside of those few reading sanskrit scriptures. It is another companion book you want to read to understand the Divine Body and why it should be an ultimate goal.  Another book also from the same author is Infinite Grace, a must read if you want to know the path the author's Guru took and how the guru initiates Swami Rajarshi Muni into the next stage of yoga. This book would tell you what it takes to be a disciple in this lineage and what it means to be one. --Classical Hatha Yoga G. Man Yogi, Amazon.com, October 20, 2008.