Exploring the Yoga Sutras

Dr. Nicholas Sutton provides accessible translation and lucid commentary into the text, philosophy, and significance of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the ancient foundational text of yoga that remains one of the most venerated wisdom books of India.The popular practice of yoga finds its origin in one of the most venerated wisdom books of India: the Yoga Sutras. Comprised of 196 short statements on the essential teachings of yoga, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is almost universally accepted as the foundational text for Yoga. The Sutras highlight a yoga practice beyond the physical body, prescribing a means by which the mind can be transformed into a tool of enlightenment and liberation. In Exploring the Yoga Sutras, Dr. Nicholas Sutton, a course facilitator at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, offers an accessible translation and commentary without sacrificing any of the original text's profound wisdom. With guided questions for each chapter and resources for additional study, this edition allows the reader to dive into the meaning and philosophy behind this ancient text, the doctrine of classical yoga, and its contemporary relevance. Yoga students, practitioners, and scholars alike will find knowledge and wisdom to apply to their own understanding and practice of yoga. OXFORD CENTRE SERIES: Exploring the Yoga Sutras joins The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Mandala Publishing Series. This book joins other accessible texts on Hinduism authored by expert scholars, including The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation and Study Guide; The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape; and Women in the Hindu World. EXPERT AUTHOR: Nicholas Sutton is the Director of the Continuing Education Department of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, an academy for the study of Hindu cultures, societies, philosophies, religions, and languages. He received his PhD from Lancaster University, writing his doctoral dissertation on the Mahabharata, and currently writes and tutors online courses on Hindu religious traditions. EDUCATION AID: This book serves as a comprehensive resource for both classwork and independent study of Hinduism. With the integration of discussion questions, suggested further reading, and images throughout, Exploring the Yoga Sutras offers an accessible introduction to the ancient roots of modern yoga.