Book: Practice of Yoga

Introduction and Purpose
The Practice of Yoga sets out a clear, accessible map of yogic living aimed at spiritual seekers and practical aspirants alike. Swami Sivananda frames yoga as a comprehensive science for transforming body, mind, and consciousness, offering step-by-step guidance that bridges traditional wisdom and everyday application. The tone is devotional yet pragmatic, encouraging steady effort and ethical living as the foundation for higher practices.

Foundations of Yoga
Sivananda emphasizes the ethical and philosophical roots that underlie all yogic disciplines, highlighting the importance of moral virtues, self-control, and devotion. Concentration on core principles such as nonviolence, truthfulness, purity, and self-discipline prepares the aspirant for more demanding techniques. A balanced life, regulated senses, and an attitude of surrender and discrimination are presented as prerequisites for genuine progress.

Hatha Yoga: Postures and Cleansing
Practical instruction on asanas appears with attention to alignment, steadiness, and relaxation rather than athletic achievement. Postures are portrayed as tools to prepare the body for prolonged meditation and to remove physical impediments to energy flow. The book also introduces basic cleansing techniques and simple therapeutic practices that support vitality and counteract common ailments, always stressing gradual practice and respect for individual limitations.

Pranayama and Breath
Breath-control practices are given central importance as the bridge between body and mind. Sivananda describes various pranayama methods with their effects on energy, concentration, and emotional balance, recommending a cautious, progressive approach. Emphasis is placed on correct breath awareness, regulated timing, and the purification of subtle channels as essential steps toward higher states of awareness.

Meditation and Mental Discipline
Meditation methods range from concentration on a single point or mantra to guided practices for cultivating peace and inner vision. The text provides techniques to still the mind, develop one-pointedness, and expand awareness beyond habitual thought patterns. Regular practice, persistence, and the cultivation of sattvic qualities are underscored as the true measures of success in meditation, with practical remedies for common obstacles such as restlessness and doubt.

Paths of Yoga and Practical Guidance
The book surveys diverse yogic paths, Raja, Bhakti, Karma, and Jnana, showing how they interrelate and can be integrated according to temperament and life circumstances. Sivananda offers pragmatic advice on building a daily routine, choosing a teacher, and balancing spiritual practice with worldly duties. He encourages adaptation without dilution of core disciplines, suggesting that sincere, persistent effort in any authentic path leads to inner transformation.

Benefits and Lifestyle
Sivananda paints yoga as a holistic system that yields physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual upliftment when practiced with sincerity. He links dietary and lifestyle choices to spiritual progress, recommending simplicity, moderation, and purity in eating and living. The promise is gradual but tangible change: increased vitality, emotional equilibrium, clearer perception, and a growing capacity for compassion and self-realization.