This overview of the essentials of yoga -- understood not merely as a system of exercises but as a full-fledged spiritual tradition -- is meant to both broaden and deepen the understanding of beginning students. It covers all the basic elements of this ancient discipline and philosophy of India and includes newly translated excerpts from the scriptures. Special attention is given to branches, such as Tantra, that are of great interest to Western students but often badly misunderstood. Topics covered include: moral principles meditation and concentration control of the breath the physical exercises of Hatha Yoga diet mantras: sacred sounds of prayer the powerful psychospiritual energy known as Kundalini the transmutation of sexual energy the teacher-student relationship suggestions for further reading and other resources Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., is the leading writer on yoga in America today. In addition to being director of the Yoga Research Center and editor of Yoga World newsletter, he is a contributing editor of Yoga Journal, Inner Traditions, and Intuition. He is the author of more than twenty books. He holds degrees in Indology and the history of religion and is the author of more than twenty books on yoga and related topics.