25 November 2025, London:
A concise yet impactful session was held at The Nehru Centre, where Professor James Mallinson of the University of Oxford presented key insights from the classical text Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
Professor Mallinson outlined the historical significance of the scripture, its author Svātmārāma, and the meaning of Pradipika as “that which casts light.” He explained that the text portrays Hatha Yoga not merely as physical postures but as a comprehensive discipline involving breath, energy channels, mental focus, and purification.
He further emphasized that the Hatha Yoga Pradipika positions Hatha Yoga as the foundational practice for Raja Yoga, preparing the practitioner for meditation and higher awareness. The importance of producing an accurate critical edition of the manuscript for modern readers was also highlighted.
The event thoughtfully combined scholarship with spiritual clarity, reinforcing that Yoga is fundamentally a path of inner transformation rather than physical exercise alone.
