Layayoga: The Definitive Guide to the Chakras and Kundalini

There are dozens of forms of yoga, but Laya Yoga (Layayoga) is one of the most accessible for Westerners. It is one of the four great systems of yoga, and deals with the supersensible functions, forces and centers of the inner world of the body. The other three are Hatha Yoga, the most familiar, which deals with the physical body, its power and functions. Hatha Yoga seeks to affect the subtle systems through control of the gross physical body. Mantra Yoga is concerned with the forces and powers outside the body, but which affect it nonetheless. Raja Yoga is the system for disciplining and stilling the mind so that we can unite with and know what lies beyond. The four together comprise Maha Yoga. Laya Yoga forms the core of Kundalini Yoga, which in turn lies at the heart of Tantra. Why it is one of the most accessible, is that in contrast to systems that teach that the body is an obstacle on the Path to Enlightenment, it teaches that the body is a manifestation of the ultimate Reality and must therefore be fully integrated into our spiritual development. This book focuses on the process by which the human body can be transmuted into a divine one, in which every organ and every cell is suffused with consciousness and develops capacities far beyond the "normal." These processes underlie some of the documented feats of yogic adepts. The word "Laya" means "dissolution," in the sense of melting away the limitations and karma that have accrued over time. The word can also be used to refer to the absorption and transmutation of the elements that constitute the body. This process occurs when kundalini is awakened and rises from the base of the spine and ascends toward the top of the head. This book is technical, academic and comprehensive. It truly is a "definitive guide." It draws on over 280 Sanskrit texts and is based not just on words on books, but many years of precise yogic experimentation and ever more subtle realizations. This is a book for the serious student. It is not a quick guide to raising kundalini or achieving powers. The book also corrects some of the common misconceptions that litter some of the New Age books on chakras and kundalini. As an example, in most people only some of the chakras are active. It would not be a good idea for someone to learn how to open them all up without having done the necessary preparatory work first. Many health care practitioners have seen the consequences of people doing too much chakra or kundalini work too quickly and without guidance. If you are interested in spirituality, yoga or the subtle anatomy of the body, this is a superb book that will repay a few hours of study. I have bought extra copies for students who have already covered the basics about yoga, spiritual development and subtle energies, and each has found it to be a treasure trove. Highly recommended.

I spent many hours reviewing as well as studying this book. Its content is extensive and illuminating. The problem with authoritative and even ancient sources is that these "road maps" to Power are best understood for those who have already traveled "these roads". The map is helpful but far from sufficient. The author does a fine job of giving the reader tools as well as a complete overview of the roots of this important and real discipline. The only criticism I have is that the philosophy extolled at the beginning and end of the book fails to drive home one important point, that is, that mind and body are of the same essence. Also, the explanation of the philosophical impetus and practical results lack clarity, noting that it is not always possible to make what is alogical lucid to limited human capacity. To complicate what is in essence simple, the words on the written pages of the sources are not what is always meant, for these words are simply there to "shine light on meaning". Therefore, relax and take your time reading this wonderful book. In any case this book is highly recommended for all serious students of yoga, meditation and the martial arts as well.

As it says in the title this is the definitive guide on the yogic science of Kundalini and the chakras. This science which is most often referred to as Laya yoga, although Laya Yoga is not really recognized as a form of yoga in the sense that it combines information taken from Hatha and Tantric texts. This presents a problem for anyone wishing to focus their yogic studies on Kundalini and the Chakras because Hatha Yoga and Tantra Yoga or very large schools of yoga and also somewhat different. This book is the best answer to that problem that has been published to date. Although as you may have read in other reviews it is very dry and dense, you also sometime get the feeling of disorganization but this is only because the material is so relentlessly complete. Although the first time you read this book you may not get alot out of it, it is invaluable as a resource tool for the study of Layayoga there simply isn't enough good information out there that is presented in the "old ways" or eastern yogi's. Bottom line if your interested in this line study this book is a must buy.

This is an excellent book of reference. The author has done extensive research of the Hindu scriptures for this book and presents the teachings in a very easily understandable language.This book may disappoint readers who want some nuts and bolts advice about awakening Kundalini as this book, though very detailed, does not really decribe the techniques for kundalini from a user point of view.

I also highly recommend this book as an excellent and detailed guide to the chakras and to some extent the nadis (of which there is no complete guide in publication). It is of great practical assistance to those interested in kundalini yoga and will particularly assist those who follow unreliable New Age methods.However, as an experienced librarian, I wish to warn all those interested in this subject that this is not a new title but in fact a reprint of the 1980 publication entitled "Layayoga : an advanced method of concentration". I condemn the publisher Inner Traditions for not clearly indicating this fact prominently on the item as well as including a false "Foreword to the Second Edition" (the writer of which clearly asserts this is simply a reprint) and so deceiving those scanning booklists that they may be unnecessarily purchasing a duplicate.