Did Yogananda Teach the Yoga Sutras?

Question

In lessons I'm reading, Yogananda doesn’t mention the yamas and niyamas im wondering if he taught the actual teachings and principles of raja yoga using words like ahimsa, dharana etc. to Kriyananda the way Yogananda was actually taught by his guru. is Kriyananda teaching and presenting Yoganda’s path the way he actually taught it? Just curious.

Also when doing the hong sau am I focused on the breath in the nasal area while chanting or just doing hong sau without focus on nasal area? Thank you.

—chris, usa

Answer

Dear Chris,

I was too young to actually hear Paramhansa Yogananda talk, but know from his published works the teachings he gave was the truths from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Bible which do talk a great deal about dharana, ahimsa, etc.

Swami Kriyananda has always been faithful to Yogananda’s teachings.

When doing Hong-Sau, you watch the breath coming in and going out. When the breath comes in you mentally say Hong and when the breath goes out you mentally say Sau. Eventually when you are more calm you’ll have your attention at the point between the eyebrows.

Bless you in your efforts,
Seva