Yoga for All (Discovering The True Essence of Yoga)

Written by the India’s foremost yoga gurus, Hansaji J. Yogendra Yoga for All is the most comprehensive book on the subject, Hansaji helms The Yoga Institute , a 100 –years – old organization that has been at the forefront of the modern yoga renaissance.

Often, Yoga is equated with the physical practices such as asanas, panamas and Kriyas, but in Yoga for All, Hansaji revisits the idea of Yoga for All, Hansahi revisits the idea of yoga and presents it in an all-inclusive role where the person is considered in totality. The book brings forth the joy freshness and wholesomeness of yoga, and repositions the traditional techniques of yoga in a new and unique dimension. This approach and techniques are taught at the Institute and has benefitted its disciples, including renowned celebrities.

The book makes yoga easy for all irrespective of gender, body type, ability or age. Many traditional practices are enriched with variations specially designed by the author to address the needs of a since seeker. This book is useful for both beginners and advanced yoga practitioners. The pictorial representations of different yoga postures are supplemented with easy-to-follow instructions to suit the modern yoga practitioner.

This book depicts the integration of ethical and spiritual values within the physical practices of yoga, which is the exceptional contribution of yoga guru Dr. Jayadeva yogendra. It also integrates a timeless, value-based philosophy into techniques into techniques of yoga making it a unique contribution to the treasures of yoga treatises. These techniques seek to inculcate a deep transformation within the psyche. This book is an enriching journey of wellness of the body, mind and spirit.

Hansaji J. Yogendra, a charismatic personality, is the director of The Yoga Institute, the world's oldest organized yoga centre. She is the leading face of householder yoga and has transformed the lives of millions by conducting free counselling sessions as well as over one lakh theoretical and practical sessions of yoga till date. Being at the forefront of the yoga fraternity for over five decades, her significant contributions in areas like yoga education, research, experiential learning, standardization of yoga practices, upliftment of society, communication via television/digital medium as well as numerous books authored by her have been widely recognized. She has headed significant research projects, reports of which have been published in various forms. She also serves as a yoga expert to many prestigious organizations and government committees and has bagged numerous awards and accolades. She has brought about key revolutionary changes in the field of yoga by spreading yoga education especially for women. An inspiring teacher, she remains a beacon of hope and a messenger of goodwill to millions from all over the world who flock to the institute to learn yoga under her guidance. Hansaji is the only lady yoga guru conferred with the privilege of sharing the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the first International Yoga Day on 21 June 2015.

Our bodies are our temple. We should always endeavour to keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in. Most of us have absolutely no idea how good our bodies are designed to feel. I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. When one listens to oneself, everything comes naturally-from inside, like an addition of energy, strength and beauty to body, mind and soul-which is yoga. Anyone who practices can obtain success in yoga. Constant practice alone is the secret to success. This classic book Yoga for All is a humble recognition of the need in modern society for guidance towards a way of living that is in greater harmony with our natural surroundings and more synergistic with our fellow beings. I extend my admiration, gratitude and best wishes to all who have contributed so painstakingly through this book, in carving out a path that is for the betterment of mankind.

The world over, health is discussed under several dimensions: physical, emotional, sensual, intellectual, ethical and spiritual. Yoga plays an all-inclusive role where the person is considered in totality and not in isolation of any particular characteristics. Today, the terms yoga and asana have become synonymous and a whole physical culture has arisen devoid of the beautiful facets of its founding philosophy. To re-envision and transform the trend, this book brings back the freshness and wholesomeness to the traditional techniques of yoga and views them in their myriad dimensions. Within the pages of this book, Hansaji J. Yogendra, has brought forth her immense experience over decades of practice and teaching yoga into a concise and systematic format, integrating the ancient wisdom into the traditional practices. She has introduced multiple variations to the postures to include all levels of yoga enthusiasts. These variations are useful to both the beginner as well as the advanced practitioner of yoga.

Practices designed by her called Sahaj Bhavasanas have been discussed in detail in the book. The practices of The Yoga Institute are described in the chapter The Unique Practices of The Yoga Institute. Different asanas, pranayamas and kriyas are discussed in separate chapters. There is a special chapter on facial yoga called 'Forever Young: The book introduces foundational philosophical ideas from the ancient Samkhya philosophy of Ishvara Krishna. The integration of ethical and spiritual values within the physical practices of yoga is the exceptional contribution of Dr Jayadeva Yogendra, former president of The Yoga Institute. These concepts known as the bhavas are interwoven in a manner such that each yoga technique when practised induces a corresponding psychological and spiritual effect.

Prior to commencing the practices, it is desirable that the reader reads and reflects upon the glorious traditions of yoga briefly explained in the first chapter. This will bring about a new perspective and experience, way beyond any physical practice alone. This book integrates a timeless, value-based philosophy into the techniques of yoga, making it a unique contribution to the treasures of yoga treatises. Wishing you a successful journey on the path of yoga!