I can confirm the Genius of Paramhansa Yogananda in devising these exercises. The innovation is not in the calisthenics themselves, rather in the conscious control of life energy which is employed by muscle tensing to revitalize all bodily parts.
Yes it amazing having exercises that help you use imaginary barbells without paying for a gym or expensive workout equipment. You can take your gym equipment wherever u go! There is muscle tension associated with picking up a barbell. In the same way u can consciously exert tension in those same muscles. You can get the same result but at the same time consciously draw energy inward to do so and develop will power in the process!