Patanjali's Yoga Sutras based on the teaching of Srivatsa Ramaswami

Author:

Pam Hoxsey

Synopsis:

Word for word translation of the Yoga Sutras plus some commentary on each sutra from Ramaswami's teachings. Also there is a short introduction, a copy of Ramaswami's hand written version of the text in devnagari script, a version for chanting and a CD of Pam chanting.

Review:

I was excited to see this book, having already read Ramaswami's other books ("The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga", "Yoga for the Three Stages of Life" and "Yoga Beneath the Surface"). Ramaswami was a student of Krishnamacharya and one of the original trustees of the KYM in Chennai. Outside the immediate family, he was also Krishnamacharya's longest serving student, studying with his guru from 1955 to 1988.
Different editions of the Yoga Sutras offer different things - some are more accademic, some more poetic or inspirational. Some, I have to confess are muddled or confusing. This edition has clear word for word translations and Pam Hoxsey's notes - sometimes asking questions, sometimes expanding on a theme or imparting stories or little gems from the oral teachings of Ramaswami, which in turn are based on his studies with Krishnamacharya. Thus for example, we get sidenotes on Krishnamacharya's pranayama practice, on Buddhism and Vedanta and their relationship to Patanjali and many other fascinating topics.
I don't think this is necessarily a beginner's version - the notes are fairly brief (but to the point, rather like the sutras themselves). However, anyone who has some experience of studying the sutras - especially from this tradition, will find much of interest here.

Ramaswami on Patanjali

Sounds like an excellent book, Ranju. I will be forced to add it to my collection of editions of the Sutras (about 8 I think when I last counted them!)

Margo

Pam Hoxseys book

This book is self published in the USA. I have arranged with Pam Hoxsey to make the book available in the UK.
If you would like a copy contact me at Harmony Yoga.
01749 677470
steve@harmonyyoga.co.uk

Pam Hoxseys book

Steve has just sent me a copy of this book.

I'd like to expand on Ranju's comments above (which I fully endorse), by saying that the book includes a CD of Pam chanting the entire text (clear, meticulous, and great to chant along with), as well as a chanting text, which uses colour coding instead of the usual notation marks, which I found very helpful, and less confusing than the traditional notation (which I sometimes find confusing if you aren't careful to distinguish between chant notation and diacritical proninciation marks).

If you like clarity, precision and simplicity, this is for you.