The Truth of Yoga
An Accessible Overview
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Subtitled “A Comprehensive Guide to Yoga’s History, Texts, Philosophy, and Practices,” this book provides succinct answers to almost any question about yoga’s evolution, putting teachings into context and dispelling misconceptions.
To quote the back cover:
Yoga is practiced by many millions of people worldwide and is celebrated for its mental, physical, and spiritual benefits. And yet, as Daniel Simpson reveals in The Truth of Yoga, much of what is said about yoga is misleading. For example, the word “yoga” does not always mean union. In fact, in perhaps the discipline’s most famous text—the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali—its aim is described as separation: isolating consciousness from everything else. And yoga is not five thousand years old, as is commonly claimed; the earliest evidence of practice dates back about twenty-five hundred years. (Yoga may well be older, but no one can prove it.)
The Truth of Yoga is a clear, concise, and accessible handbook for the lay reader that draws upon abundant recent scholarship. It outlines these new findings with practitioners in mind, highlighting ways to keep traditions alive in the twenty-first century.
Daniel Simpson teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, and at Triyoga in London. He is a graduate of Cambridge University and has a master's degree from SOAS University of London.
Order a copy on the links below, at your local shop, or via Google or iBooks. An audiobook read by Tim Bruce is available on Audible.
See Instagram and Facebook for updates – or join us for an online course based on the book...
Excerpts
Here’s the TLDR version – The Truth of Yoga in under a minute. An unabridged audiobook is also available! :)
Literary Hub – An extended excerpt headlined: “On the Most Misunderstood Aspect of Yoga.”
The Dewdrop – An Upanishadic section describing: “Self-Realization, Brahman and the Absolute.”
The Luminescent – A short essay about the subtle body, entitled: “How ‘real’ are chakras?”
Farrar, Straus and Giroux – Several passages from the opening chapter are available here.
danielsimpson.info – Two short chapters on politics and appropriation, entitled “Power Yoga”.
Instagram – I’m also sharing quotes via @truthofyoga; click the samples below to read more.
Interviews
Another Q&A, with Matt Welsh at Spiritual media, discussing ways to put philosophy into practice – here’s a sample:
"A lot of mental anguish is based on ideas about who we are, and the things that we want, and whether we get them or not. If these stories we tell ourselves stop, even just for a moment, it weakens their grip. None of this is actually linked to the practice of postures, but they can still be approached with a similar mindset of detachment. However, using the body has pitfalls. It’s easy to get fixated on what it can do…"
PODCASTS
A selection of interviews follows. Click the links to read more about each.
Yoga Talks – Exploring what's true with J. Brown, from the corporate media to yoga philosophy.
Yogic Studies – Discussing accessible writing with Seth Powell, along with the issue of authenticity.
Stillpoints – A wide-ranging chat with Scott Johnson – from psychedelics to the meaning of yoga.
Mindful Cranks – Comparing yoga and Buddhism with Ron Purser, and making sense of modern fads.
Chitheads – A conversation with Jacob Kyle of Embodied Philosophy about the book’s main themes.
New Books Network – How online courses make learning fun: an interview with Raj Balkaran.
Accessible Yoga – A discussion with Jivana Heyman about yoga philosophy, ethics and activism.
Touching into Presence – Considering connections between yoga and bodywork over the centuries.
Reviews
If you enjoy what you read, please give the book a rating or write a review. It doesn't have to be long – just a few words can help.
Reviews make books easier to find and increase their visibility in online stores. If you feel moved to write one, I’d be really grateful.
One recent example is posted here (via Amazon.com). It comes from Guy Raz, whom the New York Times calls “one of the most popular podcasters in history.”
See below for endorsements from writers and yoga teachers – their comments are available in full on the publisher’s website.
If you write for a publication, and you’d like to review The Truth of Yoga, please contact me here to request a copy.
Events
TALKS
Click the links below to watch recordings of talks.
Jaipur Literature Festival – In conversation with fellow author and teacher Ranju Roy.
Yoga Alliance – On the importance of distinctions: “Why Yoga Doesn’t Always Mean Union.”
Bank Square Books – A presentation in Mystic (CT), with Q&A from yoga practitioners.
If you're interested in hosting a book club, talk or discussion, please get in touch here.
COURSES
Endorsements
Praise for The Truth of Yoga from early readers…
“Daniel Simpson shares his wealth of knowledge of early, classical, hatha, and modern yogas in nearly one hundred mostly one- or two-page essays, each a compact masterpiece of writing that’s both accessible and engaging.”
“A necessary book that cuts through the myth and misinformation about yoga. Daniel Simpson’s excellent work is equally useful for the yoga studio, the academic classroom, and self-study.”
“If you are looking for a comprehensive book about yoga beyond asana, Daniel Simpson’s The Truth of Yoga is it! This book belongs on the shelves of all yoga practitioners, seekers, and philosophical connoisseurs alike.”
“Daniel Simpson weaves effortlessly through the history of yoga, ancient to modern, telling a story that is both compelling and approachable [with] a mastery of the textual sources as well as the histories and traditions of practice.”
“In a rare, refreshing and noble manner, Simpson pursues his subject by getting himself out of the way, allowing the thesis of yoga to shine forth in its own light... with a multitude of cues and anecdotes for further study.”
“Daniel Simpson’s ‘grand tour’ of Yoga succinctly presents state-of-the-art research into the history and ideas of Yoga... Easy to read and impeccably researched.”