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Rasas are the essence of our emotions that exist in both the body and the mind. The tantric tradition recognizes nine Rasas that represent our basic emotions: Love, Joy, Wonder, Courage, Calmness, Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Disgust. A study of the Rasas provides us with an objective language for examining our emotions and increasing our emotional intelligence. Those who practice Rasa Sadhana learn to overcome negative emotions in order to pursue better health, enhanced spiritual growth, and enduring happiness.

Our emotions are continuously affected by the interplay of our senses, the elements, food, and the life force in our body. In The Yoga of the Nine Emotions, Peter Marchand presents the "technology" for changing our emotional patterns in the form of practical physiological and philosophical tools from tantric and ayurvedic traditions. He explains the nature and pur-pose of each Rasa and how we can strengthen or weaken one Rasa through another. He also offers ayurvedic cooking guidelines and daily routines for balancing sensory input and strengthening emotional health, including fasting from negative emotions as well as how to energize positive ones. In addition, The Yoga of the Nine Emotions provides guidelines for integrating a Rasa Sadhana practice with other yoga practices. As we master our emotions through the practice of Rasa Sadhana, we gain true control of our lives and our relationships with others.