Spirituality in Yoga

Spirituality has become a rare element in modern Yoga therapy as it is often mistakenly associated with religiosity. In trying to be secular, we have taken the soul out of the body. This book brings about a greater understanding of this most important part of a wholesome approach to wellness. Every pioneer chronicled here shares life transforming lessons they have experienced in their spiritual quest. This will motivate generations to come, as they learn to holistically bridge modern science and spirituality for the betterment of humanity. Healing is only possible when we become whole once again. Be wholesome, be one. – Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, DSc (Yoga) Ashram Acharya ICYER Ananda Ashram; Director, Institute of Salutogenesis & Complementary Medicine, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry, IndiaWhile there are certainly upsides to the widespread dissemination of Yoga into Western cultures, the significant downside is that to increase its appeal, Yoga was shorn of much of its deep spiritual heritage. It became understood more simply as physical exercise. As a result, Spirituality is a rare element in modern Yoga and Yoga therapy. Spirituality in Yoga: Bridging the Sacred and the Human does us a great service by reminding us of and teaching us that Yoga is actually a truly holistic integrative practice. It is a bridge to developing our own wholeness and higher consciousness, and a pathway to creating a life of purpose and wellbeing. – Paul J. Mills, Ph.D. Professor of Public Health and Family Medicine, Author of Becoming: The Spiritual Lives of ScientistsSpirituality, defined as a secular characteristic based on experience of contemplative states, is at the core of the historical practice of yoga. Scientific biomedical research on spirituality arising from yoga practice is growing and providing credible evidence that yoga practices can and do precipitate contemplative experiences and related increases in spirituality. This research is part of a large body of continuing research in medicine emphasizing the importance of spirituality in health, well-being, and quality of life. This excellent book is a comprehensive and scholarly review and analysis covering the history, philosophy, sociology, science, and experience of yoga and spirituality, and is a must read for anyone interested in this important topic. – Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, Ph.D., Corresponding Member of the Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Chief Editor of The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care

In a world where the sacred and the secular often seem at odds, Lee Majewski’s Spirituality in Yoga emerges as a luminous guide for those seeking meaning beyond the constraints of dogma. This is not merely a book-it is a profound invitation to journey inward, to rediscover the boundless depths of human consciousness through the transformative lens of yoga. With remarkable clarity, Majewski weaves together ancient wisdom, contemporary research, and deeply personal narratives, illuminating how spirituality is not a distant ideal but a lived experience, rooted in the breath, the body, and the quiet unfolding of awareness. At a time when traditional structures of faith are waning, this book reminds us that spirituality is not lost but evolving. Majewski masterfully bridges the chasm between science and spirit, presenting yoga not as mere physical practice but as a path to wholeness-one that integrates the mind, body, and soul in pursuit of higher consciousness. From the depths of existential crisis to the heights of personal transcendence, the stories within these pages serve as both compass and lantern, guiding us toward resilience, healing, and a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner, a seeker yearning for wisdom, or someone simply curious about the intersection of spirituality and modern life, this book offers a sanctuary of insight and inspiration. Lee Majewski has gifted us a work of immense depth and relevance-one that speaks to the heart of our collective longing for purpose, peace, and profound inner awakening.

Lee Majewski, MA, C-IAYT, Yoga Chikitsa Acharya, is an author, researcher, educator and yoga therapist, and a founding director of Yoga For Health Institute. As a cancer survivor since 2006, she works with cancer and psychosomatic chronic disease patients, including running intensive yogic retreats. She is based in Toronto, Canada.