~Gurudevi Shri Swami Maha~Shaktiananda

~Shri Swami Maha-Shaktiananda; affectionately called Gurudevi; is a direct disciple of ~Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. Swami (Sw.) is primarily a Hindu honorific title, for either males or females. It is derived from Sanskrit and means "owner of oneself", or "free from the senses". It is a title added to one's name to emphasize learning and mastery of Yoga, devotion to God, and devotion to the Swami's spiritual Master (a Guru or another Swami). In the Bengali language, the word (pronounced SHA-mi), while carrying its original meaning, has a dual meaning of 'husband'. The Shakti is wed to the Shiva within one's own being; therefore the Swami has attained Self-Realization and Oneness with the I Am That I Am; is wed to God and may still maintain the dharma of householder and be "in the world but not of it". Swami is also a surname shortened from Swaminaryan, a small branch of Hinduism. This name was given to the Swamis by one of the previous Swaminaryans of Hinduism.

~Gurudevi, Shri Swami Maha-Shaktiananda
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~Guru, Premavatar Paramahansa Yogananda
Founder of Self Realization Fellowship in America

       "The teachings of Yoga are traditionally passed on from one soul to another in the guru-disciple relationship through direct initiation. Masters of great light work with mankind in the physical plane of existence as well as the higher octaves. Yogic initiation is the process whereby the christic light of God is transferred through the teacher to the student. The guru-disciple relationship is based on trust and love and is necessary for the transfer of Divine energy through the body of God. All of life is connected as one body.

       The student is responsibile for upholding the increase of light in their spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical bodies. As they are able to maintain the higher frequencies of light; more is added unto them. According to the disciple's karmic cycle, and the will of God, the guru holds the balance for the disciple in their own four lower bodies. This occurs so that the disciple can progress more quickly in order to establish a connection with their own inner guru [the inner Christ Self]. Even after the disciple makes direct contact with their inner connection to God through their own Christ Self; the guru-disciple relationship continues because of the Divine love that lasts forevermore. The guru-disciple relationship is necessary for the transfer of energy through the body of God; for all of life is connected as one body." 

                                            ~Gurudevi, Shri Swami Maha-Shaktiananda

"Yoga practice helps us to become active, joyful participants in this life so that we can bring liberation to all beings through our own soul's liberation.

Yoga provides one of the best means of self-improvement and attaining one's full potential. In the advanced stages of yoga, superconscious states are attained which result in a feeling of bliss, deep peace and Self-Realization. 

Shaktiananda Yoga follows a practical, gentle approach to exercises that include pranayama, classic asanas, relaxation, meditation, invocation and visualization.  Shaktiananda was developed for all ages, including prenatal yoga exercises, healing massage, kriya cleansing techniques, chakra therapy, tantra and kundalini yoga.   

Yoga was developed and perfected over the centuries by philosophers and mystics in India.  It is basically a method by which we increase the body's supply of energy and remove any interference to the transmission of energy throughout the body.  Yoga has specialized in this subject for thousands of years, and streamlined the methods to attain this aim.

These days, yoga classes are being held at most health and wellness centers across the United States.  Along with meditation, it is probably one of the most popular alternative therapies.  Many physicians, who are skeptical about the efficacy of alternative medicine, support yoga with a passion.  There are many clinical studies that show the effectiveness of yoga.  And the best part of it is that it is something that can be done in the comfort of your home.  A few breathing exercises recommended by yoga will go a long way towards better health and relaxation.  

Shaktiananda Yoga teaches postures (hatha) along with breathing techniques (pranayama) which facilitate Self awareness, strength and flexibility to experience the nature of wholeness.  Every voluntary movement of the body can be reversed.  The muscle contracts or relaxes, and both produce movement.  Recharging exercises are practiced to increase energy (prana) in the body.

The Shaktiananda Yoga technique involves movement which is active, working against gravity; the other which is passive... there is also resultant movement; the shift in the passive part of the body when making an active movement.  By eliminating any blockage of energy, and all stress and strain, the physical body becomes more efficient. The practice of meditation naturally unfolds and deep peace and joy is experienced through the inner connection to oneness with God.” 

                                                  ~Gurudevi, Shri Swami Maha-Shaktiananda

 Dharma

"The experience of music is the starting point for a merging of consciousness with the Supreme Being. Identification with the joy absorbed from the beauty of music brings us closer to God.

While working as an international entertainer; Singer/Dancer known as "Gypsy Star"; I developed and tested an exercise program that combined yoga postures and dance stretching work out routines. As a choreographer I was involved in stage, lighting and costume design in various productions; including the 1987 World’s Fair held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The practice of Yoga contributed to my ability to maintain the stamina needed for my work. Yoga practice is a natural progression and compliment with other creative pursuits.  Shaktiananda Yoga Class focuses on proper alignment and synchronizing breath with movement, developing strength and energizing the whole body.  As a Yoga teacher, I welcome and encourage students, hoping to share with them my own joy as a practicing yogi.

I have volunteered my Yoga teaching services at Family Domestic Violence Shelters, Public High Schools, Senior Citizen Centers, Gyms, and Recreational Centers. My first Yoga Class was in 1970 in Sentinel High School in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in Gym Class.

In 1988, I began working as a consultant and executive secretary in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, Nevada for private investors associated with the music industry A&M Records.  International business and extensive traveling seemed endless; projects which involved travel to Russia, Japan, and Bali changed my perspective.  Leaving all behind, including all my possessions, I retired to Idaho to be close to my children full time.  The fast lane life style is at a pace much faster than what I consider to be a healthy lifestyle.

In the mid-90's I moved back to the high country in Idaho.  With an old hat, blue jeans and boots, I bought some horses and land to live a reclusive life as an artist and writer. I lived where the clear spring water ran freely from the earth and the elk bedded down nearby under the bright stars.  Singing folk songs to guitar, playing solitaire, and living on fish and wild turkey seemed like my life was complete.  Trips to town for supplies and deals at the city auction brought me back in touch with my childhood sweetheart of 1965.  Our friendship began again with music in 2004.  We had alot in common, including five children each, beautiful grandchildren, and the dream to build a music, art, and holistic center. Within the first year we came to the small town of Emmett outside of Boise, Idaho and developed ArtStar Music, Art, and Yoga."

Original First Edition, Copyright 1946, by Yogananda

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FREE - Read the Book Online “Autobiography of a Yogi”

Autobiography of a Yogi" is not an ordinary book. It is a spiritual treasure. To read its message of hope to all truth seekers is to begin a great adventure.

This is a verbatim reproduction of the original 1946 edition, complete with the original photos, many of them not seen in later editions. Subsequent printings, which contain revisions made after the author's death in 1952, have sold over a million copies worldwide. The few thousand of the original printings, however, have long since disappeared into the hands of collectors.

Now, with this online version, the 1946 edition is widely available, with all its inherent power, just as the great master of yoga first presented it.

Notes on Using the Online "Autobiography of a Yogi"

You can begin by going straight to Chapter 1, or finding your favorite chapter in the Table of Contents. All the photos are linked from the List of Illustrations, or you can link to the photos from each chapter, where they appeared in the 1946 edition.

All the original footnotes appear in this first online edition. Just click on the linked number of the footnote as it appears in the text.

Publishers Notes, from Crystal Clarity Publishers, provides information about this edition of the "Autobiography of a Yogi," along with frequently asked questions about this great book.