Hatha Yoga Integration

There are many helpful Yoga books. It is important you choose one that resonates with you, at the various levels of your Yoga practice. One of my favorites is Dynamic Yoga by Godfrey Devereux. This book is a practical one. It describes an adaptation of the traditional method of Hatha Yoga. An adaptation developed, and refined, in hundreds of classes with thousands of students, over many years.

It presents a safe, and effective integration of the techniques of Hatha Yoga, too often diminished by being separated. It has taken the form that it has on the basis of one criterion only: That it works! Whether or not it conformed to current practice, theory, or dogma was not a concern. Whether people of all ages, and potential could do it, and benefit from it was.

Those of you who already practice will no doubt find in it, points of familiarity. You may also find things unfamiliar, that might appear strange, or irrelevant. However, if you try them you will find out, as many have before, that they all have their place.

For Hatha Yoga to work it must respect the laws of body, movement, mind, and consciousness that define the human being. So too, Dynamic Yoga. But it does not present itself within the context of any belief system, dogma, or religious perspective. In fact Hatha Yoga, like all forms of Yoga, does not require any beliefs, nor the expectations, and limitations that they impose.

Yoga is not a religion. You are not required to believe in any God or Gods, nor in reincarnation or karma. Yoga is a process that precludes the need for religion. It is a way of being: a means to clarify, and reveal the nature of reality, and human existence. Once this is underway, the need for religious guidance is unnecessary. All one needs is the practical advice of someone who knows the way. This book can provide you with some of that advice.

The specific methodology of Dynamic Yoga has developed through a process of interaction between Godfrey's teachers, and his students. With himself as its medium. It was the feedback from students, who did not necessarily have the same motivations or capacity as himself or his teachers, that brought about the modifications to the traditional format that Dynamic Yoga represents.

Many of his students made it clear that without such modification the practice, and benefits of Hatha Yoga would be beyond them. It seemed to him churlish, and unreasonable to adhere strictly to tradition if this puts yoga beyond the reach of all but the physically fit, and deeply motivated.

Yoga can benefit everyone, in more or less profound ways. This book makes it possible for those whose time, opportunity, motivation, or capacity is restricted to enjoy at least some of the benefits of Hatha Yoga. The book helps to clarify the confusion that exists with regard to the different 'styles ' of Hatha Yoga. It shows how each of the different emphasis of the different styles fits into the single whole that is Hatha Yoga. It is not intended to be a different style, set aside from others.