Can anyone give this ignorant westerner a brief run-down of the differences, history and subject matter of the great yoga related scriptures? I have read the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali a few times and recently bought the Bhagavad Gita and have started reading it, so I know about these.
Where do the vedas and upanishads etc. fit in to the equation? What are the recommended translations? Is there another great resource like any of the above that I am missing?
Dont worry about vedas and upanishads. Those wont give you much to learn. I would instead suggest reading Swami Vivekananda's books if you really want to know about hindu spirituality. A lot can be learnt from his books. He is very much like our Yogani in being non-sectarian and in his love towards humanity.
Any indian would agree he is the greatest thing that has ever happened to india in terms of spirituality. He has awakened the masses into spirituality.
Let me add, his works also include translation of all Yoga related scriptures like Vedas, upanishads and Gita and more. All explained in layman's terms
God might not always give you what you WANT, but he will always give you what you NEED