Thank you Jessica Kingsley/ Singing Dragon and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Angela Ashwin’s book Pranayama Lost in Translation aims to teach people what yoga philosophy really is and in turn Pranayama and other well quoted but perhaps little understood “terms”.

This book was written to dispel the myths of yoga sold to those taking yoga courses in the western world. To ensure that teachers and practitioners alike are educated and have a good understanding of the true origins of yoga and the originating beliefs they inhabit.

I have only practiced yoga and thanks to studying Buddhism, have some understanding, albeit limited on the philosophy of yoga.

This book is suited to yoga teachers, hopefully to read, digest, understand and embody, prior to teaching classes. It is highly informative, really interesting and digs deep into the true meaning and philosophy from yogas Indian origins.

Andrea explains in depth subjects such as Prana, Kundalini, Vayvu, Samadhi and Bandha’s.
I learned a lot and highly recommend reading this slowly, in small sections to truly benefit from its wisdom.

The glossary at the end of the book is comprehensive and a fabulous reference point.
I highly recommend this book and intend to re-read and take lots of notes.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and provide my honest opinion on this wonderful book.

A really intensive book that I think I will need to come back to and re read - certainly a lot to take in. Very well written with a high level of practice and understanding. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

There is no disputing that Pranayama Lost in Translation has a meaningful goal, to reconnect Western yoga practitioners with the deeper roots of pranayama by returning to the classical Yogic texts. As someone who values the historical and spiritual context of yoga, I appreciated the author's effort to highlight the tradition’s rich lineage and the call to remember its origins.
However, I found the execution underwhelming. Much of the book consists of lengthy quotes and references from other texts, with limited original interpretation or integration. Resources varied from original Indian scriptures to today's popular magazines. This made the writing feel somewhat unpolished, and the structure made it difficult to stay engaged. While the author’s experience is evident, the insights often get lost in repetition or lack of clarity.
That said, this book may serve as a helpful entry point for beginners looking for a curated overview of scriptural references or for those seeking titles for further study. Unfortunately, it may hold more value as a reference tool or introductory companion, than as a standalone exploration.

Thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the advance reader copy.