The Sanskrit word "yoga" (from the root "yuj", to yoke) can be used to designate any Indian method of asceticism and meditation. As such, Yoga has played a crucial role in all the Indian paths that aim at a substantial transformation of man. This volume presents a general introduction to the history of Yoga from the most ancient times to our age. A more special attention is devoted to Classical, Buddhist and Tantric Yoga. Parallels and comparisons with other non-Indian ways of spiritual realization are also attempted. The last part of the book is devoted to an unbiased description of the recent diffusion and hybridization of Yoga all around the world and to an analysis of some probably fruitful relations between Yoga and modern science.

Giorgio Renato Franci teaches Indian and Far Eastern Philosophies at the University of Bologna.