Yoga Beyond the Mat: How to Make Yoga Your Spiritual Practice

238 Pages·2016·1.47 MB·English

by  Alanna Kaivalya

About the Author
Alanna believes yoga is for everyone and each student can develop the self-
empowerment needed to embark on a personal journey to meaningful
transformation. On this principle, she founded the Kaivalya Yoga Method, a
fresh take on yoga emphasizing the individual path while honoring tradition.
Teaching students since 2001 and teachers since 2003, Alanna has written and
developed teacher trainings worldwide for top studios. In 2016, she debuted a
comprehensive 200-hour online teacher training with YogaDownload. She holds
a PhD in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from
Pacifica Graduate Institute and has authored numerous articles and two other
books: Myths of the Asanas, an accessible practitioner’s guide to stories behind
beloved poses, and Sacred Sound, a yoga “hymnal” illustrating the role of chant
and mantra in modern practice. She lives in New York City with her husband
and Roxy the Wonderdog.
Llewellyn Publications
Woodbury, Minnesota
Copyright Information
Yoga Beyond the Mat: How to Make Yoga Your Spiritual Practice ©
2016 by Alanna Kaivalya.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in
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First e-book edition © 2016
E-book ISBN: 9780738749716
Cover art: iStockphoto.com/60837998/©Sonya_illustration
iStockphoto.com/19157502/©mediaphotos
iStockphoto.com/15000955/©Jeja
iStockphoto.com/12564643/©krishnapriya
iStockphoto.com/79016965/©anyaberkut Cover design: Ellen Lawson
Interior chakra images: Llewellyn Art Department Interior
illustrations: Mary Ann Zapalac Llewellyn Publications is an imprint
of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Kaivalya,
Alanna, author.
Title: Yoga beyond the mat : how to make yoga your spiritual practice
/ by Alanna Kaivalya.
Description: First edition. | Woodbury, Minnesota : Llewellyn
Publications, [2016] | Includes bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016025309 (print) | LCCN 2016032584 (ebook) |
ISBN
9780738747644 | ISBN 9780738749716 () Subjects: LCSH: Yoga.
Classification: LCC BL1238.52 .K35 2016 (print) | LCC BL1238.52
(ebook) | DDC
204/.36--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016025309
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Disclaimer
This book contains information that is intended to help the readers be better-
informed yoga practitioners. It is presented as general advice. This book is not
intended to be a substitute for the advice of a physician or a
psychologist/psychiatrist. Before beginning any new exercise program, it is
recommended that you seek medical advice from your healthcare provider. The
reader should consult with his or her respective provider in any matters relating
to physical or mental health. The information in this book is meant to
supplement, not replace, proper yoga asana training. Like any physical activity,
yoga can pose some risk of physical injury if done improperly. The author and
publisher advise readers that they have full responsibility for their safety and
should know their limits. Before practicing asana poses as described in this
book, be sure that you are well informed of proper practice and do not take risks
beyond your experience and comfort levels. The publisher and the author assume
no liability for any injuries caused to the reader that may result from the reader’s
use of the content contained herein and recommend common sense when
contemplating the practices described in the work.
[contents]
Acknowledgments
A project of this scope and magnitude takes a lifetime and many helping hands
to complete. It is a dream come true to present this work to you, and it would not
have been possible without the help of a great many dedicated, loving,
persistent, and intrepid folks. First, I must thank the man who carefully watched
over every word of this work, wiped every bead of sweat from my brow, and
was the first to help me celebrate its completion; my wonderful husband, Peter.
Without his support and love, my sleepless nights and marathon writing days
would not have been impossible. I would also like to thank my mother, Pola,
who has always been my biggest fan and has never ceased her championship of
this endeavor. Her belief in me lifts me up and keeps me going.
The dream of this book became reality with the faith and tirelessness of my
incredible agents at MDM Management, Steve Harris and Michele Martin, for
whom I am so grateful. During the writing and editing process, I was incredibly
humbled and blessed to work with two dedicated, brilliant yoga colleagues:
Avery Westlund and Elizabeth Rowan. They fact-checked, spell-checked, and
cliché-checked everything … and made sure I was saying exactly what I meant
to say. The lovely “Chakra Queen,” Shira Engel, was instrumental in putting
together the chakra practices, and I honor her attention to detail and graciousness
in the process. Every writer dreams of a haven in which to write, and Tom and
Marilouise Ruane provided me with the perfect retreat at the time it was most
needed.
This book is one part of my dissertation work, completed at Pacifica Graduate
Institute, and so I cannot thank the faculty there enough for their scholarship and
influence, namely: Dr. Dennis Slattery, who lit the fire for personal mythology;
Dr. Carol Horton for her honest advice and diligent contributions; Dr. Steven
Aizenstat, who shepherded this project with wisdom and encouragement; and
finally, Dr. Patrick Mahaffey, my dissertation chair, who went to the ends of the
earth to see this project through in record time with great poise, faith, and
kindness.
The team at Llewellyn Worldwide is exceptional to work with, and I must call
attention to the great efforts of the acquisitions editor, Angela Wix, and the
production editor, Stephanie Finne. They both worked hard to produce the final
work you hold in your hands. The book’s beauty is owed to cover designer,
Ellen Lawson, and interior designer, Donna Burch-Brown. Publicist Vanessa
Wright is owed many thanks for helping spread the word about this work to the
world.
Finally, and I know it sounds silly, but I need to give a shout-out to my dog,
Roxy. She was there every step of the way: through grad school (she attended
every class), during the writing process, and even as I teach the work, she is by
my side. For those of you with furry friends, you know how much their
unconditional love teaches us to keep our heart open at all times.
It is my sincere hope that you experience this book not as my work, but as my
way of honoring all those who have generously contributed their time, teachings,
and love. May their spirit work through me as I share this work with you.

Contents
Guide to Practices
Note About the Use of Sanskrit in This Book
Introduction
PART ONE: The Outer World
1: Yoga, Modern and Historical— A 5,000-Year Journey 2: Overcoming
Obstacles to Your Spiritual Journey 3: The Spiritual Practice of Yoga: Planting
Fertile Ground 4: Setting Off on the Path to Practice PART TWO: The Inner
Journey 5: The Alchemy of Yoga
6: The Active Ritual of Yoga 7: Yoga As Transformation
8: Yoga: Entering the Blissful State PART THREE: The Reemergence 9:
Embodying Your Bliss
10: Living Your Yoga
Conclusion: The End Is the Beginning Resources
Bibliography