The legacy of theos bernard at uc berkeley julia m. Theos bernard pioneered indian and tibetan studies at columbia university. Theos casimir hamati bernard 19081947 was an explorer and author, known for his work on yoga and religious studies, particularly in tibetan buddhism. The report of a personal experience 1950 a modern classic of yogic experience i first read this extraordinary book in 1974, having obtained a copy from the ucla library.
Scribd is the worlds largest social reading and publishing site. Hatha yoga, or hatha vidya the science of hatha yoga is commonly misunderstood and. It offers a detailed and articulate account of traditional hatha yoga practices that are rarely encountered in western yogic texts. Hatha yoga by theos bernard and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Here bernard thrived and met his future wife, viola. Tibetan buddhist deities from the theos bernard collection explores the rich art and religion of this fascinating region through five mandalas and three thangkas dating from the fifteenth to twentieth centuries. Theos bernard is one of the rare individuals who has done so. Paul hackett download theos bernard the white lama tibet yoga and american religious life pdf online. The extent to which he has succeeded in mastering these practices is partly shown by thirtyseven photographs. Upon rereading the text this time using a copy from the uc davis library i was struck with just how arduous and focused was bernard s quest. He was the third american to ever set foot in lhasa, tibet, and the first american to be initiated into the rites of. Bernhard deals at length with the many postures, purification and breathing exercises used in the orient by those yogis who have attained enlightenment.
Biographical research timeline of bernard family 1908 1947 2 bernard family tree 1847 1956 3 bibliography of theos bernards published works. Theos casimir bernard december 10, 1908 death date unknown, probably midseptember, 1947 was an accomplished american practitioner of yoga and tibetan buddhism, a scholar of religion and explorer. Bernard was already an ardent practitioner of hatha yoga. The psychical, mental and spiritual phases of the subject belong to the other branches of the work. Hatha yoga uses bodily postures asanas, breathing techniques pranayama, and meditation dyana with the goal of bringing about a sound, healthy body and a clear, peaceful m. Hatha yoga is the most widely practiced form of yoga in america.
Eleanore murray collection and archive acquisition information the theos bernard papers were transferred to the bancroft library from the east asian library, university of california, berkeley, in 2003. Theos bernard demonstrating kukkutasana, picture from theos bernard, hatha yoga. Since this was his dissertation to be the first person to receive his phd in religious studies at columbia university, it is an important slice of history. Mar, 20 eventually settling in new york city, theos taught yoga, specifically in forms designed for increased sexual and general energizing power. The pri mary purpose of the investigation was to test by personal experience the techniques of hatha yoga. He began teaching and lecturing on yoga on the upper east side of manhattan, where he met a wealthy polish opera star who first became one of his students and, later, a romantic interest. This remarkable jewel of a book is an unrecognised classic in yogic literature. Theos casimir bernard s 1943 account of traditional hatha yoga as a spiritual path, hatha yoga. Ulrich riekers translation and commentary have long been valuable to yoga students as a complement to their practice and study. Success cannot be attained by adopting a particular dress vesa. It is one of the first books in english to describe and illustrate a substantial number of yoga poses. Theos casimir hamati bernard 19081947 was an explorer and author, known for his work. Asanas postures, various kumbhakas breathing techniques, and other divine means, all should be practised in the practice of hatha yoga, till the fruit.
It is the branch of yoga that concentrates on physical health and mental wellbeing. Theos bernard was well before his time and trail blazing the path of knowledge on topics of hatha yoga, tantra, and tibetan buddhism. The report of a personal experience, is a rare insight into the way these practices, known from medieval documents like the hatha yoga pradipika, actually worked. Born in arizona to absentee father glen bernard, theos began his studies of yoga in his teens to overcome serious illness. From vedic times, in india and abroad, with texts and translations of patanjala yogasutra and ha. In 19361937, theos casimir bernard made an extraordinary pilgrimage to tibet in search of adventure and spiritual enlightenment. Bernard, theos, 1908archives yoga history tantric buddhismchinatibethistory tibet chinahistory20th century theos c. Hatha yoga or the yogi philosophy of physical wellbeing. The report of a personal experience is a 1943 book by theos casimir bernard describing what he learnt of hatha yoga while in india. I will examine only the physical components of hatha yoga. Kundalini yoga is a dynamic blend of exercises, postures, breath and meditation to fulfill your need to improve, expand, refresh and rejuvenate in a fast paced world that is in.
Annotated citations for penthouse of the gods, hatha yoga, heaven lies within us, a simplified grammar. Hold the posture steady as an archer would hold the arrow aimed at its target. His account of oldstyle hatha yoga as a spiritual path, hatha yoga. Pdf a transcript of dr anandas presentation at an intensive seminar conducted by him at melbourne april 2009. White, uc berkeley art museum and pacific film archive in 19361937, theos casimir bernard made an extraordinary pilgrimage to tibet in search of adventure and spiritual enlightenment. While practicing this posture imagine yourself as an archer with the gaze focused on the target and the arrow firmly yet gracefully being pulled back in the bow. He was the nephew of pierre arnold bernard, oom the omnipotent, like him becoming a yoga celebrity his account of oldstyle hatha yoga as a spiritual path, hatha yoga. Hatha yoga report of a personal experience theos bernard. Pursuing his studies through a masters degree at columbia university in anthropology and comparative religion, he spent. Returning to america, bernard continued working on his dissertation at columbia university, hatha yoga. Hatha yoga, the present book, deals altogether with the physical. Theos bernard hatha yoga free ebook download as pdf file. Jan 07, 2018 theos bernard the white lama tibet yoga and american religious life online pdf ebook.