The Holistic Yoga/Swami Shantidharmananda Saraswati. New Delhi, Srikunj Sadbhavana Manch, 2004, xix, 314 p., tables, photographs, (pbk). ISBN 81-8265-000-3.
Contents: Preface. Acknowledgements. Key to transliteration. Astanga yoga - an introduction. I. Purification of physical body (saririka suddhi vijnana): 1. Science of physical body (saririka vijnana). 2. Science of body cleansing (satkarma vijnana). 3. Science of postures (asana vijnana). 4. Science of breathing (pranayama vijnana). 5. Science of gestures and locks (mudra and bandha vijnana). II. Purification of mind (cittasuddhi vijnana): 6. Science of desireless actions (niskama karma yoga vijnana). 7. Science of balanced diet (yuktahara vijnana). 8. Science of yogic trance (yoga nidra vijnana). 9. Science of introversion (pratyahara vijnana). 10. Science of concentration (trataka vijnana). 11. Science of fixation (dharana vijnana). 12. Science of meditation (dhyana vijnana). III. Science of subtle elements (tattva vijnana): 13. Science of psychic channels (nadi vijnana). 14. Science of psychic centres (cakra vijnana). 15. Science of dormant energy (kundalini vijnana). IV. Yoga therapy: 16. Cures through yoga (yogic cikitsa vijnana). V. Epilogue : Index.
"The book presents a study of different types of yoga as all of them are considered essential at different stages in the path of spiritual evolution: hatha yoga, raja yoga, kriya yoga, japa yoga, laya yoga, kundalini yoga, nada yoga, svara yoga among others. It starts with a background on the meaning and concept of yoga and its benefits. It examines the theory and practice of yoga under two broad groups - pertaining to purification of the body and purification of the mind, presenting yoga as taught in the upanisadic texts as well as young as scientifically researched and practiced in the modern day by yogic masters. Under these groups are covered the science of the human body and its cleansing, postures, breathing and gestures and the different techniques meant for achieving spiritual and mental excellence through desireless actions, concentration fixation, meditation and yogic trance. Written in an easy-to-understand language, the work abounds in quotations and other references to the sacred scriptures and famous ancient works on yoga to provide a broad base and comprehensive treatment of the subject.
"The book will prove extremely relevant to all those simply interested in yoga or involved in studies on yoga, whether they are beginners, scholars, spirituals aspirants."