“True Yoga: Practicing With the Yoga Sutras for Happiness & Spiritual Fulfillment”
Jennie Lee
Llewelyn Publications, $16.99
Through the lens of yoga, Kailua author and psychologist Jennie Lee takes a comprehensive look that offers depth and breadth to this ancient philosophy. “True Yoga” stands in clear contrast to the sort of trendy, boutique yoga offerings that strictly focus on physical benefits.
Lee has done considerable research in order to interpret the early writings of yoga — specifically the Yoga Sutras, in which Patanjali codifies the Eight Limbs of Yoga, circa 400 B.C. Lee expands our understanding of these Eight Limbs by extrapolating meaning from five separate interpretations of Patanjali’s translated Sanskrit writing.
She pays special attention to the yamas and niyamas that constitute the first two of the Eight Limbs, which have similarities with Judaism’s Ten Commandments and Buddhism’s Eightfold Path.
Following one of the interpreters in particular, Nischala Joy Devi, she defines the five yamas from an expanded positive perspective rather than literal definitions with negative overtones.
For example, the first and foremost yama is ahimsa, which translates to nonviolence, but Devi interprets it as peace. Asteya, or noncoveting, becomes generosity, and aparigraha, or nonstealing, is defined as gratitude.
The five niyamas, or personal moral practices, are Purity, Contentment, Right Action, Self-Reflection and Devotion. The rest of the book explains the six remaining limbs, the third of which is the practice of asanas, or postures, which most people erroneously assume yoga is all about. Each chapter concludes with suggestions for daily practice, journal reflection questions and affirmations.
Throughout her book, Lee exhorts us to choose happiness. “When we live and breathe our yoga, not just as pretty postures in class but also as real-time practices in every moment with family, friends and colleagues, we will be happy,” she writes. “True Yoga” is a gift for yoga practitioners of all levels and for those who are considering taking it up. This insightful, accessible book will inspire or refresh commitment in all who take the time to read it.
