A new, crisp, no nonsense translation of this great 14th century classic on the practice of Hatha Yoga. Unlike most other English translations, it includes the original Sanskrit, but no commentaries. The original text in its entirety, and 'nothing but' seems to have been the translator's motto for this work. This means that this translation also includes the controversial verses 84-103 of chapter 3, which, because they refer explicitly to Tantric sexual practices, are often left out by prudish - or less conscientious - translators.
If one, like me, holds that the work of the translator is to be as discreet as possible, then this very faithful translation is probably the best available. This is the kind of small book that I like to take with me in my travels, although unfortunately, while it is thin, it is too large a format to slip in one's pocket.

The publisher, YogaVidya.com also produces a version of the Gheranda Samhita, and, I am told, are working on the Siva Sahimta. Serious yoga students watch out, these are serious translations of serious classics.

Footsteps to Freedom
Four spiritual masters of Kriya Yoga and a beginner,
Heidi Wyder, Kriya Source Publishing, 2003

In the Western world where yoga is now mostly seen as a fitness craze, one could be forgiven for forgetting that yoga is a technique for controlling the mind with the ultimate aim of self-realisation in the super-conscious state of Samadhi. The various techniques of Hatha yoga are no more than tools to this end, and the health and fitness benefits of the practice are no more than side effects. The Kriya yoga tradition, however, always stuck closely to this original goal of controlling the mind.
While Kriya yoga is generally known in the West through Yogananda's remarkable book "Autobiography of a Yogi" and the work of the Self realisation fellowship which he founded, no systematic exposition of the original Kriya yoga tradition has ever been written before this book.
The Kriya yoga tradition produced a number of self-realised masters, and Heidi Wyder's book interweaves accounts of some of these masters' life stories with that of her own personal spiritual journey, fuelled by a meeting with one such master. Written with complete, and at time touching honesty, this is a most refreshing book, but also a very useful one, giving straight forward answers to a number of important spiritual questions.
Highly recommended to anyone with more than a passing interest in yoga.
See www.kriyasource.com for more information on this book or to order it directly from the publisher

Reviewed by Christophe Mouze