Join The Vidya Institute Mailing List
Subscribers are the first to hear about new programs, receive updates to our teaching schedule, get exclusive discounts, and more.
By clicking the button, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms.
The Gift Of Consciousness: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
$80
Get a Copy:
“The Gift of Consciousness: Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra’s by Gitte Bechsgaard, Ph.D., is to be read by those who love Yoga in general and by practitioners of Yoga in particular. This book acts as a guide book to take a journey from the bank of mundane life towards the bank of spiritual life. The author has held to the basics of Yoga which act as a foundation for her to explain the importance of each sutra.”
More about the book
Meticulously researched and compellingly written, The Gift of Consciousness is an engaging and approachable overview of Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras through the prism of both Eastern and Western psychology. Grounded in a thorough knowledge of the Sanskrit original and training in psychology, Gitte Bechsgaard opens out these complex texts to the general reading public. Bechsgaard’s clear-eyed approach makes this ancient text relevant to anyone interested in Yoga philosophy and practice. This book, with its emphasis on integrating Yogic insights into everyday life, will be an important resource for Yoga teachers and practitioners, academics, and general readers who have an interest in Eastern religion and philosophy, meditation and psychology.
Professional Praise
Gloria Goldberg, Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher
Director, B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center of La Mesa
“Bechsgaard has isolated and explained many of the guiding concepts in the Yoga Sūtras… she has provided practitioners with the tools to fine tune their own understanding and practice. Any reader will be highly rewarded in their own lives and Yoga practices through a careful reading of this book.”
Frederick M. Smith, Professor of Sanskrit and Classical Indian Religion
University of Iowa
“Gitte has written a thought-provoking book that will help turn today’s Yoga students into true Yoga practitioners.”
Joan White, Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher
Director, B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga School of Central Philadelp
“A classical interpretation though with a modern language, this commentary, simple and at the same time profound, is easy to follow for beginners but also useful for mature practitioners.
This book will help with your understanding of the sūtras as well as give you enthusiasm and practical guidance for balancing your time and energy in order to become steady in your practice. Only then the practitioner becomes dṛḍha bhūmiḥ’, which means literally solid and unshakable like the earth.”
Gabriella Giubilaro, Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher
Director, Centro Iyengar Yoga of Florence
“Books are in a certain way like people – there are two kinds: those you tend to forget and those few that actually makes a difference in your life. The Gift of Consciousness is of the latter kind and may actually make an important difference for you. This book on the Yoga Sutras is filled with insight and important guidance about the dynamic relation between Yogic journey and life as such. Read it!”
Claus Wittig, Intermediate Junior Level III Iyengar Yoga Teacher
Director, B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center – Copenhagen, Denmark
“As Gitte’s first Yoga teacher I am very proud of this work! I have taught many Yoga students, but few who shine through in the way that Gitte did when I first met her and still does today.
I am convinced that her book The Gift of Consciousness will end up on many bookshelves around the world becoming a new classic in Yoga literature. It is an amazing book – all yogis around the world should read it!”
Jette Berring, Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher
Director, B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center – Copenhagen, Denmark
The Gift Of Consciousness: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
$80
Get a Copy:
“I highly recommend this work on Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras to all who are seekers in the art, science, and philosophy of Yoga. Bechsgaard’s overview and organization of Patañjali’s work is of great benefit to students of Yoga, and her expressive commentary is especially wonderful in linking Patañjali’s teachings to our own lives.”