Embodying the Yoga Sūtra

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is the key text of yoga. Yet for many contemporary practitioners, its deeper treasures remain either unknown or mired in obscurity. Ranju Roy and David Charlton focus on 18 of the most important sutras and show how each one illuminates the relationship between the body, the breath and the mind in a practical, clear and contemporary manner. The sutras are carefully deconstructed, put into context and then developed into ideas for practice.

They examine the interplay of three key terms: support, direction and space. They suggest that only by taking support on something can you establish a clear direction; and only then can a space open up to grow into. This formula can be applied as successfully to the body (in asana) as to the breath (in pranayama) and the mind (through meditation).

With illustrated asana sequences and suggested practices, Embodying the Yoga Sutra is both a practical as well as a deeply philosophical book. Roy and Charlton give readers a whole new vocabulary with which to understand yoga as a living, vibrant and dynamic tradition.

Ranju and Dave are among the most experienced, insightful and dedicated yoga teaching duos you are ever likely to meet. Their depth of practical knowledge and natural genius for teaching make them perfect people to write a book like this. The fruit of a lifetime of inquiry and practice, this is a book that the world needs.

-- Mark Singleton, author of Yoga Body (OUP) and Roots of Yoga (Penguin Classics)

Unassuming, generous and brilliant, Dave and Ranju have been a steady source of inspiration for me for over twenty years. In this book, you are getting the no-nonsense, deep-reaching, honest, real-life yoga lived and breathed by these two wonderful teachers. Their delightful attitude and intelligent approach radiates in all their work. They teach from the heart with wit and wisdom: these are not the showmen of modern yoga, they are the real thing.

-- Tara Fraser, Director Yoga Junction, author Total Yoga, Easy Yoga Workbook, Yoga Bliss, Astanga Yogafor You, and others

Ranju Roy and David Charlton are two of the most respected and well-loved yoga teachers in the UK today. In 2004 they founded Sadhana Mala, an organisation that specialises in teacher training, study courses and retreats.

Together Ranju and David have produced and sold 13 booklets under the Funky Guru imprint; Learning to Chant the Yoga Sutra, a set of 4 CDS; and have produced over 150 short video films for their bespoke online yoga training course. Embodying the Yoga Sutra is their first traditionally published book, part-funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Patanjalis Yoga Sutras is the key text of yoga. Yet for many contemporary practitioners, its deeper treasures remain either unknown or mired in obscurity. Ranju Roy and David Charlton focus on 18 of the most important sutras and show how each one illuminates the relationship between the body, the breath and the mind in a practical, clear and contemporary manner. The sutras are carefully deconstructed, put into context and then developed into ideas for practice. They examine the interplay of three key terms: support, direction and space. They suggest that only by taking support on something can you establish a clear direction; and only then can a space open up to grow into. This formula can be applied as successfully to the body (in asana) as to the breath (in pranayama) and the mind (through meditation). With illustrated asana sequences and suggested practices, Embodying the Yoga Sutra is both a practical as well as a deeply philosophical book. Roy and Charlton give readers a whole new vocabulary with which to understand yoga as a living, vibrant and dynamic tradition.

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