Yoga- Theory and Practice (An Old and Rare Book)

About the Book Yoga: Theory and Practice is a sterling contribution of Dr. H. Kumar Kaul, a noted academician and writer to the study of Yoga. This work represents original research and breaks new ground in the field of Yoga practices in Punjab. This is the first scientific and authentic analysis and exposition of practice of Yoga in this State.

This doctoral thesis, accepted by Punjabi University, Patiala, goes into theory and practice in a highly critical and scholarly manner. It is difficult if not impossible, to present all the essential aspects of Yoga, its practice by Nathas, Siddhas, Yogis and Sufis of Punjab, Sikh Gurus and in Akharas and Yogashrams in such a volume. But the learned author deserves the attention of luminaries of Yoga and felicitations of curious readers of the discipline for accomplishing this difficult task in a facile manner.

About the Author Born in Srinagar (Kashmir) in 1932, H. Kumar Kaul received his school education in Biscoe Convent Public School, Srinagar. As a college student he dietinguished himself as the best actor, beat debater, best swimmer, best aportaman. His enviable performance in these diverse fields, brought in ita wake the highest honour All Round Best. Passed his M.A. (English Literature) and B.Ed. (Kashmir University), Diploma in Journalism (Delhi University) and Ph.D. from Punjabi University, Patiala.

In 1963, he joined D.A.V. College, Abohar (Punjab) and remained Head of the Department of English for ten years. In 1975, he became the Principal of S.D. College, Barnala (Punjab). He has been practising Yoga for the last 30 years. He is a Member of the All India Yoga Association, Sagar; Member of the Yoga Academy, Banaras; Chairman, (Yoga) Mission International, Faridabad; Trustee of the International Centre for the Study of Tantra Yoga, New Delhi. He has won many distinctions and awards in the National Yogasana Competitions. Dr. Kaul is a prolific writer. His 16 books on Yoga have been widely acclaimed in and outside India. He has published more than 220 Research Papers on Yoga in National and International magazines and newspapers. His talks on Yoga Therapy have been broadcast from All India Radio, Jalandhar. Due to his extraordinary contribution in the field of Yoga the title of Yogacharya was conferred upon him in the World Yoga Conference (1986), Yoga Ratna in 1987 and the title of Yoga Shiromani was conferred upon him by the Mission International, Faridabad. In 1990, he was selected Senior Vice President of the Indian Council for Research in Yoga and a Member of the Governing Council of the World Yoga Parishad. He is founder President of Swami Virjanand Yoga Sadhna Kendra, Barnala. Dr. Kaul is a broad-reservoir of ideas and experience a dynamic personality.

Preface Much has been said and written about yoga and yogic para xis. Today Yoga is deemed as a very potent method of relaxing the physical as well as mental tensions all the world over. We find its postures and practices, somehow or the other in almost all the prominent world religions. In India, many sects and religions originated but yoga practices are known to be the oldest ones. Since the time immemorial, many varieties of yoga came in vogue accor ding to the needs of the different cultural and ethnic groups. At few places, the external aspect was taken into consideration whereas at few other, yoga was considered a great vehicle for the control as well as means for internal spiritual flights. Owing to such understanding many bifurcations came into existence though their cen tral theme of controlling the supernatural as well as mundane remained the same. We know that Patanjali codified these scattered thoughts in the standard form which came to us known as Patanjal Yoga Sutras. These sutras consist of four cantos wherein different stages of samadhi have been discussed.

The Punjab which has remained since long the North-West gateway of India, was always flooded with a sort of composite culture and was always supposed to be held as pioneer in different walks of life. The great exponents of yoga, namely, Gorakh, Jaland har, Chaurangi etc. belonged to this area and after their names many maths, deras and ashrama are still extant in the different parts of the Punjab. Very less is found written on the Yoga practices with reference to Punjab, and very less source material also is available pertaining to this topic in the Punjab.

**Contents and Sample Pages**