Did you know that classical yoga, also known as the ‘royal yoga’ or ‘raja yoga’, is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy? This authentic yoga practice helps you seek enlightenment through direct control and mastery of the mind, using the breath and asanas, or yogic postures.

Patanjali outlined raja yoga in his Yoga Sutras as the cultivation of mind using meditation to embrace reality and eventually achieve liberation. Inclusive of all yogas and known as the “royal path” to unifying the mind and body, raja yoga is considered the most disciplined form of yoga. Many texts have been authored on this branch of yoga, most based on the timeless wisdom of Patanjali.

The most unusual and clever book I have found on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is The 108 Heads of Lord Patanjali, in which the author, Shyam Mehta, reveals both the playful way this great master helps us find truth, and distills the truth to the one sutra of all Patanjali’s sutras. That sutra, on karma yoga, provides a common understanding of the yogi’s greatest practice of all: engaging in work to help our fellow beings.

Who do we have to learn from in our own time about this royal path, and how do we sift through the profusion of teachers and teachings to reach the truly great ones who touch our being? If you have found such teachers and, like me, learn best from both reading commentary on immortal works as well as sitting at the feet of the guru, the next best thing is video. Especially when it features a contemporary master who can teach you the time-tested and authentic classical style of raja yoga. You’ll appreciate this DVD, Raja Yoga: The Authentic Yoga Practice, featuring Mehrad Nzari, Ph.D. Nazari.

Dr. Nazari’s credentials are as impressive as his ability to convey this most demanding and serious of all yogas. Personally trained by the Yogi Raj, Walt Baptiste, Dr. Nazari has been a senior teacher of the Walt Baptiste method of raja yoga for over 15 years. He is also a continuing education specialist in yoga for the American Council on Exercise.

Dr. Nazari was initiated in Himalayan Yoga Meditation Tradition by Swami Veda Bharati of Rishikish, India. Additionally, he received initiation in Rinzi Zen by the Zen Master Kyozan Joshu Roshi, as well as in Tibetan Buddhism by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.

Dr. Nazari is also an advocate of the application of yoga principles to daily and corporate life. He serves as the adjunct professor of international business negotiation at the United States International University in San Diego.

I love this DVD; it’s balanced approach combines the authentic flowing physical asanas of raja yoga using the breath along with a beautiful explanation of the yoga philosophy and psychological aspect of each pose. If you’re looking for the one DVD to introduce you to the yoga journey in a consciousness-based and joyful manner, then I highly recommend Raja Yoga: The Authentic Yoga Practice.