Book Description
See inside every yoga pose! With clear, expert instruction andfull-color, detailed anatomical drawings, Yoga Anatomy depicts themost common asanas to provide a deeper understanding of the structures andprinciples underlying each movement and of yoga itself.

From breathing to standing poses, see how each muscle is used, how slightalterations of a pose can enhance or reduce effectiveness, and how thespine, breathing, and body position are all fundamentally linked.

Whether you are just beginning your journey or have been practicing yogafor years, Yoga Anatomy will be an invaluable resource--one thatallows you to see each movement in an entirely new light.

Author Leslie Kaminoff is a recognized expert and teacher in anatomy,breathing, and bodywork. He is the founder of The Breathing Project, NewYork City's premiere yoga studio dedicated to the teaching ofindividualized, breath-centered yoga practice and therapy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

After the first two chapers, it's a great resource.
This was assigned to me as a required resource for Shala (Yoga Teacher Training).Having no background in anatomy, I am really struggling to tie the written descriptions in the first two chapters to the illustrations.Perhaps there is an assumption by the author and illustrator of a certain level of anatomy knowlege that this reader doesn't posses.I find that the illustrations of the thoracic cavity (lungs, central tendon, diaphram) and the spinal column (discs, tendons, vertebrae) more confusing than helpful.I needed to consult with my Shala yoga instructors and 3 different anatomy books to understand what the author was trying to teach me.Chapter two is no better.The illustrations of the spine, tendons, discs are all superbly drawn, yet don't quite sync up with the written text if you're a newcomer like myself.

After these two chapters, it's a great resource.As the other reviewers have stated, the illustrations of the muscles used during different asanas are right on and quite helpful.This is a resource I'll keep and use again.However I'd like to see the first two chapters revised so the illustrations are presented better for the novice.

Not Very Helpful
The illustrations do not show the difference between the muscles are being stretched and which ones are being contracted, which is pretty much night and day as far as muscles go.Just showing which muscles are "working" is like having a listing of bank accounts that are active without knowing which accounts have a debit or credit balance.

I have an anatomy book on stretching and an anatomy book on exercises and compared to those books this book was not really very useful. You can look at the pictures in the other books and in one glance get a visual diagram of which muscles are being stretched or contracted.

easy yoga anatomy
I love this book and am starting recommend to several yoga teachers. I like it because it is basic and easy to read and access information.Yet it contains detailed and important information in its simplicity.The illustrations and lay out are awesome and helps those with little to a lot of anatomy background.I think it is a great book for yoga teachers.

yoga anatomy- leslie Kaminoff
very good quality book. I will find it extremely useful in my Y oga practice.

Interesting Reading on a Difficult Subject
Yoga Anatomy is the best book I have purchased on the subject.I have been practicing Yoga for about 33 years and teaching some classes during the 33 years.The illustrations are clear, concise and to the point for the asanas demonstrated. The book is well written and interesting. I recommend it to all Yoga Teachers and serious Yogis.I am registered to teach certification, if I pursue this, Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff will be one of the text books used in my class.Thank you for such a wonderful book on Yoga Anatomy. ... Read more

Book Description
The definitive guide to the philosophy and practice of Yoga--the ancient healing discipline for body and mind--by its greatest living teacher. Light on Yoga provides complete descriptions and illustrations of all the positions and breathing exercises. Features a foreword by Yehudi Menuhin. Illustrations throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (75)

From the Living Legend
Light on Yoga (Yoga Deepika) is just that - it throws a lot of light on the 'practice' of Yoga. There is a small introduction on the philosophical aspects of it before Iyengar's trademark precision instructions start.
Iyengar had to learn asanas the hard way. Basically when his teacher sent him off to teach, he had not mastered advanced asanas. So he had to learn certain asanas on his own. Hence his famous quote "Your practice is your teacher". His book is also written with such an audience in mind. He says getting a good teacher is very important but if you cannot I will be your teacher through this book. I mean the volume of information is absolutely stunning.
If you are an absolute beginner please do go to a beginner's class for atleast couple of months before starting your own practice based on Iyengar's book. I say this because his courses that he gives at the end of the book will seem a little agressive for someone who has not understood where he stands. For example he suggests doing Sarvangasana on the first week of your practice. For some it may be right for most it may not be.
This book has been my ready reckoner for the past 5 years. I simply cannot thank BKS enough. I have never met him but he is my Guru.

Must for those who want to learn Asanas!
This book is really excellent!I agree with most of the positive reviews that are written here.Since my views are about the same as many other reviews here, I don't want to elaborate.

Good reference
I have had this book for some time now. It has a brief intro to the philosophy of yoga before diving into the asanas. There are hundreds of asanas described in some detail. Although there are other books that do explain fewer asanas in greater detail. This book serves as a valuable reference. In the appendices he gives out programs with increasing difficulty for you to practise. What he thinks you can cover in a few weeks is actually something u will master in a few years. Also asanas are prescribed for people with specific illnesses. great book!

GREAT BOOK
Tells you everything you need to know about Modern Yoga, it gives a physical view of the poses and even the back ground. I really enjoy this book.

The essence of yoga
The best reference on yoga poses with thorough explanations of how to get in, be in and get out of each pose safely and effectively.Also provides excellent context for how poses relate to one another and progress one to the other.Though Iyengar yoga instruction is the key to learning how to practice yoga properly, this book is your best friend after class and when conducting a home-based practice. ... Read more

Book Description
The definitive book of yoga therapy, this groundbreaking work comes to you from the medical editor of the country’s premier yoga magazine, who is both a practicing yogi and a Western-trained physician.

Beginning with an overview of the history and science of yoga, Dr. McCall describes the many different techniques in the yoga tool kit; explains what yoga does and who can benefit from it (virtually everyone!); and provides lavishly illustrated and minutely detailed instructions on starting a yoga practice geared to your fitness level and your health status. Yoga as Medicine offers a wealth of practical information, including how to:

•Utilize yogic tools, including postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, for both prevention and healing of illness

•Master the art of becoming more in tune with your body

•Communicate more effectively with your doctor

•Adopt therapeutic yoga practices as either an alternative or a complement to surgery and to expensive, sometimes dangerous medications

•Practice safely

Find an instructor and a style of yoga that are right for you. With twenty chapters devoted to the work of individual master teachers, including such well-known figures as Patricia Walden, John Friend, and Rodney Yee, Yoga as Medicine shows how these experts have applied the wisdom of this ancient holistic practice to twenty different conditions, ranging from arthritis to chronic fatigue, depression, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, infertility, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, and obesity. Defining yoga as “a systematic technology to improve the body, understand the mind, and free the spirit,“ Dr. McCall shows the way to a path that can truly alter your life.

An indispensable guide for the millions who now practice yoga or would like to begin, as well as for yoga teachers, body workers, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Great info
I enjoyed this book and found that it had a lot of good modifictions for health restrictions and had some great info.

Must have if you are serious about Yoga
I have been practicing Yoga for many years and see the difference that it has made for me.This book really qualifies the benfits that I have seen personally and it has helped to structure poses for my specific requirements. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to deepen their understanding and practice of Yoga.

very useful, with simple sequences for all people
This book is very useful, the sequences of postures are very simple and for all kinds of people, and that is fundamental, because not all the sick people are experts in yoga postures. I bought "Light on Yoga" too, and is an excellent complement, because at the end of the book it has many advanced sequences for deseases that not everyone can do.

Great for teachers and health practitioners
I'd been looking forward to getting this book and was glad I did. As a student of several different types of yoga and a prospective teacher, I found the contents to be very helpful to various types of physical ailments that one hears about, but needs more in depth information on how to assist a student with.
The writing is clear and concise. The chapter outlines are very well organized and the index is easy to use in a hurry. Each chapter has a different physical challenge, from Migranes to HIV and they are noted with experiences from well trained teachers. The chapters give precise information on what is occuring in the body with these different maladies and the yoga postures suggested come with photographs and clear instructions for any adjustments for the student.
I find this to be a treasure of a reference book and no doubt will refer to it many times in my teaching career.

I recommend this book.
I really like the book. I starts with types of yoga and the importance of good quality teachers. Great orientation for beginners. I provides scientific proves of yogic healing. It focuses on medical issues like depression or insomnia than postural, physical issues (shoulder injury, etc.). This book is a contribution of many well-known teachers which makes it more interesting. I recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description
To keep their faces looking younger, women today try everything from invasive procedures such as plastic surgery and Botox to expensive cosmeceuticals. The Yoga Face is a new and completely natural alternative anti-aging regimen that women can do anytime and anywhere-and in just minutes. The exercises, developed by yoga expert and instructor Annelise Hagen, are based on a simple principle: The muscles of the face are no different from the muscles of the rest of the body. If you don't exercise the muscles below the neck, they become weak and flabby, and the same thing will happen to your face with age. Just as yoga routines work the muscles in the body, the stretches and movements in The Yoga Face tighten and tone the face muscles-and combat wrinkles. "Working out" with fun facial exercises such as the Louis Armstrong "Satchmo," the Marilyn Monroe "kiss," and the "Lion Face," readers will notice changes quickly; and over time, the results are dramatic. Illustrated with more than seventy-five instructive photos throughout, The Yoga Face offers an easy, safe, and effective solution to help women turn back the clock and have beautiful, young-looking skin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Great face workout!
This is an easy to follow, quick routine for strengthening your facial muscles. I have done the routine several times a week for the past two weeks and can actually feel a difference.

Disappointing
For the last three or four years, I had been successfully using a facial exercise DVD and accompanying CD's to help me tone and tighten up my face.I read an article in Time Magazine about Yoga Face, where they made a reference to facercise, which I was presently using.I figured that Yoga Face would be an upgraded version of facercise and was willing to give it a try.I followed the exercises in Yoga Face religiously, but after three+ months, the results I had already achieved started to reverse.It was a real disappointment because I thought Yoga Face was an improvement in the facercise exercise program.I'm back to where I started so I'm going back to the original facercise exercise program, because that really did work.

Some good content
This book had some useful new facial exercises, but a large part of it was a review of basic asanas and paranyama.The new, useful content that pertained directly to facial health was a just a chapter.

Awesome! Every one should do it!
This book is fantastic! It has changed everything in the way Ithink about myself and my health. Iwas this close to going to have some adjustments done on my face-surgery and then this book was presented to me.It has made me take stock and make time for myself and my health.Instead of a surgical procedure, I now do exercises of the faces and the body.I stretch and detoxify.....I listen more and pay attention.I have never done this.I recommend everyone doing The Yoga-Face!And did I mention, people have been saying that I look years younger....I love that!!!!

More than skin deep
This is a beautifully written book, whose message is much more than skin deep.It honors the spirit and practice of the yogic tradition, while addressing a topic--facial appearance--that has become almost an obsession in our culture.I hope readers will appreciate the integration of mind, body and spirit that this book brings to this topic. ... Read more

Book Description
The first yoga text to outline a step-by-step sequence for developing a complete practice according to viniyoga--yoga adapted to the needs of the individual. 

A contemporary classic by a world-renowned teacher. 

This new edition adds thirty-two poems by Krishnamacharya that capture the essence of his teachings. 

Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who lived to be over 100 years old, was one of the greatest yogis of the modern era. Elements of Krishnamacharya's teaching have become well known around the world through the work of B. K. S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and Indra Devi, who all studied with Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya's son T. K. V. Desikachar lived and studied with his father all his life and now teaches the full spectrum of Krishnamacharya's yoga. Desikachar has based his method on Krishnamacharya's fundamental concept of viniyoga, which maintains that practices must be continually adapted to the individual's changing needs to achieve the maximum therapeutic value. 

In The Heart of Yoga Desikachar offers a distillation of his father's system as well as his own practical approach, which he describes as "a program for the spine at every level--physical, mental, and spiritual." This is the first yoga text to outline a step-by-step sequence for developing a complete practice according to the age-old principles of yoga. Desikachar discusses all the elements of yoga--poses and counterposes, conscious breathing, meditation, and philosophy--and shows how the yoga student may develop a practice tailored to his or her current state of health, age, occupation, and lifestyle. 

This is a revised edition of The Heart of Yoga.

Customer Reviews (29)

An Amazing Resource
I have used this book both a teacher and a student.I use this book for all our teacher training programs with huge success.This is a gem of a book.A necessary read for students and teacher's of Vinyasa.Having practiced at the KYM mandiram and having met Desikachar makes this book even more amazing as he is a living vibration of this book.

Good for understanding the origins and practice of Yoga.
This book is interesting but is a somewhat detailed read. It teaches the background of yoga and ideas toward developing a personal plan toward practicing yoga.

Excellent book
This is really the best book on yoga asana by someone who had a long experience with it. Very easy to read and user friendly. It is one of the
best gift from India to the world. I can say only one word to the author
and his guru/father : Thank you ! May God bless the author to be able to live to one hundred like his father.

Yoga the Viniyoga Perspective
The Heart of Yoga presents a clear understanding of the teachings of yoga from a perspective that respects the individual and the stages of life.It also has a commentary on The Yoga Sutras which I thoroughly enjoyed.The book and commentary are written in a manner which is easy to understand.I would recommend this book to new and experienced yoga practitioners.

T.K.V. Desikachar writes a powerful book
This book is powerful and moving. It is interesting to see the modern history of yoga described in this book.I don't know how helpful it was to me in creating my own practice, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

... Read more

Book Description
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga is the only modern authoritative source that correlates the study of hatha yoga with anatomy and physiology. Hatha yoga is comprised of stretching, strengthening and breathing exercises in upright, lying down and inverted postures.Yoga teachers and students, personal trainers, medical therapists, or anyone who is curious or troubled about how the body responds to stretching and exercise will find in this book a cornucopia -- partly new and partly old -- of readable and reliable information. It was written and edited to meet the needs of a general audience largely unschooled in the biomechanical sciences, and yet to attract and challenge the interests of the medical profession. This book features 230 black and white photographs and more than 120 diagrams and anatomical illustrations.

Chapter 1 summarizes general principles of anatomy and physiology as applied to hatha yoga. Breathing is next in chapter 2 because yogic breathing expedites movement and posture. Breathing is followed by pelvic and abdominal exercises in chapter 3 because the pelvis and abdomen form the foundation of the body. Standing postures will then be covered in chapter 4 because these poses are so important for beginning students, and because they provide a preview of backbending, forward bending, and twisting postures, which are covered in detail in chapters 5, 6, and 7. The headstand and shoulderstand, including an introduction to cardiovascular function, are presented in chapters 8 and 9. Postures for relaxation and meditation are treated last in chapter 10.

WINNER, 2002 Benjamin Franklin Award for Health Wellness, and Nutrition - Publishers Marketing Association. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (67)

Extremely informative
As I'm writing this, my copy of Anatomy of Hatha Yoga is resting on my lap.I'm only on page 47 and I feel that I have already learned enough to make this book well worth what I paid for it.Although it can get very technical at times and might be a little frustrating for people without knowledge of anatomy and physiology, the author breaks things down using easy to understand analogies and offers physical activities to fully understand what he is talking about.This might not be a book that a lot of people can read from cover to cover, but it describes everything in detail and is very informative.

I definitely think I have become a better yoga teacher just reading a small amount.Although I won't say that every yoga teacher NEEDS this book, I do think that there are very few books that break down yoga and examine it scientifically with such quality.Even if you already know the postures of hatha yoga, there is more to this book than that, so you will still heavily benefit.Plus, if you really want to be a good teacher, you should understand WHY you do a posture the way you do as well as how to do it.It's all well and good to quote your textbook at your students, but in my opinion, you shouldn't be teaching if that is all you want to do.

The author earned his Ph.D. in anatomy from the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences in 1968 and has practiced yoga since 1974, so he's not just some scientist who decided on a whim to write a book about yoga.Don't let the reviews saying this book is "too complicated" scare you away.They obviously quit reading before he went on to explain further.Still, if you purchase it and find it is a little overwhelming, you can always use it as an awesome reference book.Then, when you feel ready, try again knowing this will help you become a better teacher and/or student.

Anatomy of Hatha Yoga
Wow! Anatomy of Hatha Yoga is definitely a book for those who are interested in the anatomy of a human. This book is definitely more towards anatomy than it is Yoga. Don't get me wrong it does discuss postures, breathing techniques, and how to deepen relaxation.

Anatomy of Hatha Yoga

A super book on anatomy for the teacher or student that helps to understand the mechanics of asana. I like the separate chapters for each group like forward bends, twists etc.. The section on backbending is particularly useful to help students find out where they need to be rather than where they want to be. Camella Nair- Author of "Aqua Kriya Yoga".

WHOA, informative!
I was looking for something full of pictures, which this is not, but I'm so happy to have this book. It's alot of information, very scientific, very thorough. Great resource for anyone dedicated to yoga.

Meant for serious study
This book is exhaustive in scope, meticulous in its detailed presentation, and clearly NOT meant for pleasure reading.

I've used it a lot since I got it, and I consider it a very valuable resource.I have not read the whole thing.I doubt if I will ever read it from cover to cover.It's not that kind of book.It's more of a "look up the topic and get the info you need" kind of book.

It's not a book for someone with a casual interest in yoga.The length, depth, and cost of the book remove it from that category.If you are a serious student of yoga, or if you're studying to be a yoga teacher some day, you NEED this book.It is regarded by most of the teachers with whom I've spoken as the most complete book on the topic.Nothing else in the English language even comes close to this.

... Read more

Book Description
Experience the physical benefits and body awareness from hatha yoga—the most popular form of yoga today. Hatha Yoga Illustrated presents nearly 650 full-color photos to visually demonstrate 77 standard poses from hatha yoga that apply to all major hatha styles including Iyengar, Astanga, Anusara, and Bikram.

Individual poses are presented from start to finish, showing you how to achieve proper alignment and breathing to ensure challenging yet safe execution. The result is an increase in the effectiveness, both physically and mentally, you'll experience with each pose. Several pose variations based on your personal preference, ability, and fitness level are also included.

Eleven sample yoga routines show how to assemble the poses into workouts that meet your specific time, difficulty, and intensity parameters. Colorful and comprehensive, Hatha Yoga Illustrated is organized for your ultimate convenience and use. Use it to guide your muscles, as well as your mind, and increase strength and stamina, reduce stress and anxiety, reduce blood pressure, and increase flexibility. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

yoga book
Hatha Yoga Illustrated

This book was very cheap than the university book store.I like the amazon products.Thanks

a excellent all-rounder on hatha yoga
I have had this book for a year now and I have a few other "classic" yoga books, but this is always the one I come back to. Whether it's to tweak my technique, try a different asana, or learn more about hatha yoga other than just the physical side of the practice.
Everything is written so that it's both readable and highly practical. Not only is the presentation of the book excellent, the instruction for the physical asana is very easy to understand. It is one of the few yoga books that I refer to others.
If I could only buy one book on practicing asana this would be it.

An Essential Yoga Book for Everyone
I am a yoga teacher, and I highly recommend this book. It explains each pose in very clear detail, with some of the best pictures & descriptions that I have ever seen in any yoga book! It is an excellent book for beginning students, as well as a great reference even for those who are more advanced. An essential book to have in your yoga library.

Helpful Guide
I've been using Rodney Yee's Moving Toward Balance as my main yoga guide.It's a wonderful book if you like a very structured approach to learning yoga.But it doesn't always provide enough detailed information about how to get into some of the more complex poses.And if you're a yoga rookie like me and have never seen the poses performed before, just looking at a photo of Rodney Yee looking perfect doesn't always help you figure out how to bend yourself into same shape.So I looked around for something to supplement Moving Toward Balance and selected Hatha Yoga Illustrated.It has both pictures and a step by step description of how to enter and exit a fair number of commonly used postures.It has certainly helped me decipher the lyrical but vague instructions occasionally encountered in Moving Toward Balance.But it doesn't have all of the postures I encounter in yoga class or in Moving Toward Balance, which considering how many there are, is to be expected.However, it does have a short selection of yoga practices (for flexibility, strength, sun salutations, etc.) that are easy to follow.

Hatha Yoga Illustrated is a helpful supplement to whatever other methods (yoga classes, other yoga guides, etc.) you may use.It might be a little light to be used as the sole guide for a complete novice.Are there better choices out there?Maybe.

Learn About Yoga Poses
Full-color images of yoga poses accompany instructions and explanations for each one.There are also alternative ways for people who've suffered injuries to do the poses. ... Read more

Book Description
This valuable book provides a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga, the path of concentration and meditation. This new deluxe printing of these timeless teachings is a treasure to be read and referred to again and again by seekers treading the spiritual path. The classic Sutras (thought-threads), at least 4,000 years old, cover the yogic teachings on ethics, meditation, and physical postures, and provide directions for dealing with situations in daily life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

A classic book that is necessary for any yogi's library.
This book is a wonderful introduction to the yoga sutras.Other interpretations on the sutras should be compared to this in my opinion.

Patanjali's yoga sutras brought to life by a modern master
The collection of concise yoga sutras, put together by Patanjali are an important read for any yoga practitioner--teacher or enthusiast.Swami Satchidananda has translated the ancient text into meaningful and practical explanations which really apply to modern living.This is not just a one time read, but rather a wonderful guide to reflect upon often.The text is organized into four books geared to inspire and teach a yogic way of life.Yoga is not a religion of any sorts but rather an eight limbed path leading us from suffering to freedom.The details of how we develop this peace are all included in the book. I highly recommend this book in particular because of its clear and thoughtful translations.

easy reading, great comprehension
I love this book! Easy to read, simple explanations from Sri Swami Satchidananda, allows you to dive deeply on the true meaning of each Sutra. Truly a book commented by an enlightened soul.

Wonderful book!
I enjoy reading this book! The author quite obviously knows what he is talking about. He gives wonderful explanations and provides insights to the Yoga Sutras. I am learning a great deal from his commentaries on Pantanjali's humanity-benefiting work.
Thank you, Swami Satchinananda!

Could it be more condescending?
I have two other versions/interpretations of the yoga sutras.I was actually quit surpised by sutra 2 of this book.He refers to the "chitta vritti" as "mind stuff."Mind stuff?Please.How about a real explanation.Definately written for an American audience whom he regards as very simple.I read a couple more sutras but really couldn't take it as it was just ridiculous.

If you are the type of person who would be happy being told that there is "mind stuff" taking place inside your brain and it is far too complicated for you to understand then by all means buy this book.Otherwise, try the Four Chapters of Freedom.It offers much more thorough explainations and it treats its audience with respect. ... Read more

Book Description
A comprehensive, practical, and authoritative guide to the method developed by Iyengar. 100 key postures with detailed step-by-step instructions and photographs. This is our most recently published yoga book and has quickly become a backlist bestseller. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Yoga the Iyengar way
A lovely formatted book that has clear photographs. It is useful for the student at home to develop a personal home practice aswell as the teacher for a 'flash card' inspiration for a class. I like the diamond guide that indicates the degree of difficulty of the pose. It is also wonderful to have the asana name in devanagari, sanskrit and english. This is a classic hatha book that is a 'must have'. Camella Nair - author of "Aqua Kriya Yoga".

Very Satisfied
I purchased this book for teacher training class and I am pleased to say that it is very helpful to me. It would also come in very handy for someone new to Yoga because it has history, philosophy, and examples of every move all in one book. Easy to read and understand, although I would recommend buying the spiral bound version. I did not know it was offered and bought the origional. It is much easier to keep a spiral bound book opened while trying to master any asana.

Great book if you have a little experience
This is an excellent book for home practice of yoga, provided you have moderate experience through classes and previous home study. The photos and explanations of asanas are very clear, though the practitioner may not possess the same degree of flexibility as the models. The asanas cover a reasonable range of difficulty: there's some challenge, but a diligent student would have hopes of learning all of them. The scattered "reflections" are extremely helpful. The textual explanation of underlying yoga principles, though good, could be expanded somewhat, but one can't expect everything in a book this size.
Comparing with Iyengar's "Light on Yoga", the present book is shorter, more user-friendly, has a more modern look, contains fewer asanas, and has less (but more easily readable) discussions of yoga principles. Serious students will likely purchase both in the long run, but the present book is a better first buy.

FANTASTIC BOOK!
First time Yoga practicer.Purchased this book for an introductory Yoga course but never used it in class.However I do use it now that I am home alone.It has WONDERFUL IMAGES and DIRECTIONS.It also has "lessons" for you and natural "remedies" for back aches, head aches, etc.The yoga poses in this book helped me relieve my lower back pain in less than a week!I Love this book!

Well written
This is a well written book that takes the yogi through easy to harder poses with concise instructions ans adjustments that can be made as ones body adapts to the Asana.

Highly recommend. Also might like:

Yoga: Path to Holistic Health by Iyengar

Yoga: Awakening the Inner Body by Donald Moyer and Susan Leigh Foster ... Read more

Book Description
This is the most user-friendly yoga book available! It contins the entire Primary and Intermediate series of Ashtanga Yoga with three options for every asana. It is spiral bound to easily remain open while practicing. It contains over 650 photos with clear instructions and commentary. It is a great book for all levels of practitioners to enjoy and teachers will find it to be an invaluable tool for teaching their students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (72)

Practice Book
David has produced an amazing practice book for Ashtanga folks -- it's easily used and gloriously designed.

Great book!! the options are so useful
It is a great book, I was looking for new postures, and I already knew both series of ashtanga, but the options than Swenson ilustrate are just great, in some postures that I need work, I can start from the beginning. I totally recomend this book.

What I've always wanted from a Yoga book!!
A+, I HIGHLY RECOMMED!I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this book!My favorite thing is how they show each pose in the beginner, intermediate & advanced levels, + variations.It has clear instructions on how to get into each pose, when to inhale or exhale, how long to hold the pose, the benefits, etc.They even show how to utilize a strap when trying to progress to the next level of a pose. I've never seen that in any other yoga books including my certification materials.
The pictures are clear, details are easy to see, & the instructions are easy to understand taking you through each detail.
In my opinion the book is very professional in its LOOKS, CONTENT & MATERIALS. The spiral is secure and there appears not to be any danger of the pages coming loose.**It also includes a lot of yoga poses &/or variations I haven't seen before.**

I've been teaching yoga at various fitness facilities for over 3 yrs. Most classes have participants that fall into each of the levels.This can make it very challenging to give the more advanced students the challenge they need while also teaching the beginners the basics.This book gives me a quick way to know the best way(s) to accomplish this while not compromising safety.

I have several yoga books but none have all the information, pictures, instructions, etc.There is always a piece of information that I need missing from each book.I have all now. The book has HIGH QUALITY Looks & Bindings without compromising on the information.

If you are in doubt click on the "SEARCH INSIDE" icon like I did and judge for yourself.

Great Yoga Book
I bought this book to be used in conjunction with David Swenson's Short Forms DVD and the Primary Series DVD (which I haven't advanced to yet). It's a great handy book to have--it shows lots of alternative postures and gives details about where to look (the "drishti") during postures, and some interesting background information about Ashtanga yoga. I also really like that he has a section in the back of the book where he shows all the routines (15-min, 30-min, 45-min, primary series, etc.) in a condensed, handy picture format (on 1-2 pages) so you can eventually learn to practice on your own, without relying on the DVD. Overall, David Swenson's products are the best!

Effective approach to Ashtanga Yoga
I have been looking at quite a few books and videos on Ashtanga/Power Yoga and find Mr. Swenson's book and DVD's/CD's by far the best product out there. I prefer self study and have not always much time for long workouts due to travel, etc. David's approach allows me to squeeze in some Yoga every day of my life and the many variations he provides make my practice develop over time. Most useful is David's attempt to make your practice independent of all media. By now I can practice on my own with no aids wherever I want. I might have 15 min (likely) or 2h (unlikely). All I need is a bit of space and a mat or towel. In fact just the other week I was for business travel in Singapore. I got up early due to jet lag and went outdoor pool side in my hotel. The following 90 min practice gave me a great workout and equanimity. The following day with meetings etc. was much easier to endure.


I have been intrigued by body weight exercises since a long time. Why would you use all sort of equipment if your body provides you with a universe of opportunities to build strength, flexibility and stamina/endurance?

Another gtreat book I recommend is Daniel Lyon's "Pilates for Men". ... Read more

Book Description
The ancient practice of yoga will help your baby sleep better, digest easier, be happier, and stay healthier. Start today.

If you've been searching for an excellent way to bond with your baby and improve his or her health, Itsy Bitsy Yoga is the solution you've been looking for. Helen Garabedian, a certified instructor in yoga and infant massage, has developed over seventy yoga postures and thirty-five series for moms and dads to enjoy with their growing babies. You don't need any previous yoga experience. Learn the many benefits of yoga, posture by posture, in this accessible guide, with seventy beautiful black-and-white photos, at-a-glance reference charts, and memorable Itsy Bitsy Yoga rhymes.

Yoga can help babies up to two years of age:

• sleep better

• get relief from gas pains and colic

• digest food easier

• stay healthier with a strong immune system

• receive neuromuscularm stimulation

• learn to relax

The book also features seven Magic Poses that can soothe fussy, upset babies within minutes! So start enjoying more time with your happy yoga baby right now.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

I LOVE this book!
I just can't believe how much fun this book is.It's also developmentally appropriate in movement and in the music "sing-and-do" suggestions (just sing the lyrics in a gentle singsong or to any nursery rhyme tune and you will hit everything they should be hearing to aid their singing development, plus they're bonding with the sound of your voice).The cutest thing is that in the routines it suggests, most end with a hug.In the opening chapter there are recorded music suggestions, tips for parents of twins... I couldn't be happier with this purchase.What a nice way for a child to enter the world!And you feel so competent as a parent having several solutions to their gas problems or fussiness.I bought this a little worried that I'd have to figure out how to keep my babies in plank pose or downward facing dog, but it's not like that at all.Very simple and lots of photos.

Itsy Bitsy Yoga
Great book, it touches on all stages that a baby goes through. Each chapter is dedicated to newborns, head-holders, sitting, and crawling. A great opportunity for mommy and baby to spend time together.

A Whole Lot of Fun
The names of the "yoga" postures are a little "out there" and the songs are too silly, but Baby and I love working out from this book! I am from India and my mom (and MIL) have practiced this on their two kids. Even if you take the claims the title makes with a pinch of salt, the activities work wonders for bonding. Most importantly, my baby is all giggles when he knows I am about to start Itsy Bitsy Yoga. Highly recommended!

Baby Yoga
This product is fabulous. Better than over the counter quick fixes. I did poses to help my baby with gas and fussiness and he was able to expell the gas immediately as well as stop fussing. Yoga is the perfect way to help keep a baby healthy and happy!It also provides a great way for mom and baby to bond; mom gets a little exercise too!
The material is very clear and informative.

Solid
The way this book was written came off to me as too sugary sweet and otherwordly. Once I got over wanting to gag at some of the sayings I was pleased with the layout of the book; it shows each posture and then how to create a sequence with them that will promote either sleep, reduced fussiness, etc.. I have noticed that since employing some of the poses my son seems less colicky, but it's tough to know if that is a result of him growing out of it, or the yoga. If nothing else, this book provides a good way to bond with your child. ... Read more

Product Description
GrandMaster Choa Kok Sui Reveals an ancient Indian technique of increasing your brain power by harnessing the body's primordial energies.SuperBrain Yoga is a scientifically validated method to help super-energize the brain and enhance its sharpness and clarity. This simple and easy to do technique develops and increases intellectual capacity and sharpens memory & concentration.Included in this book are preliminary scientific studies on the SuperBrain Yoga Exercise showing dramatic improvements in children diagnosed with Autism, ADD, and ADD/ADHD. SuperBrain Yoga can be a part of an effective routine to help people with Dyslexia, Autism, ADHD, Learning Difficulties, Alzheimers and Poor Memory and Retention. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

highly effective
Master Choa is known for his ability to simplify highly complex and esoteric subjects. Superbrain yoga is a masterpiece of a technique. It transmutes sexual energy from the lower chakras and brings it up to the brain and nervous system. In English, this means that it highly energizes the brain and nervous system. This can help folks (particularly children and adolescents) become smarter, calmer, and more focused. It can help develop a stronger, healthier, more coordinated body. In my own son, it caused an unbelievably dramatic change in his athletic ability. In a certain sport in our local recreational league, he went from being the lowest draft pick one year to being near the top in the next year. Coaches on the opposing team were cheering him on, their jaws dropping open from seeing the transformation. He is now playing at a competitive AAU level. He has also noticed a marked improvement in clarity and focus as applied to his studies.

If you are looking for an easy yogic practice to increase overall energy level or libido, check out the 2 powerful energy-generating exercises found in "Your Hands Can Heal You" by Stephen Co and Eric Robins, MD.

Just One Exercise
On the positive side, the single exercise featured here is beautifully presented with colorful and detailed drawings.The exercise is clearly described in the text section.I have used it and found it very energizing.

Unfortunately, the rest of the text is an elementary review of the chakras and testimonials.It reads in large part like a term paper.In the testimonial section reference is made to Super Brain yoga exercises.I would have liked to see those other routines.

If you are expecting an in depth, detailed routine, you will be disappointed.If you would like to try a simple but effective exercise and find testimonials inspiring, this book is for you.

Delivers its promises.
A complete and well detailed book on how to efficiently and securely stimulate your brain. Through the exercise tought in this book we are able to take the energy up from the lower chakras to the higher chakras in no time.

We are still testing the technique in Brazil and the results are awesome. Works REALLY fast in children and really helps us with all those memory & concentration issues.

I really recommended, it is surprising how well it works.

Super Brain Yoga review by Tupulupu
I have heard about this book through my pranic masters, and I said I must order this special book - hmm, it was a really good idea!! The book describes the brain yoga practice in details, making stress on the most important parts so that you can do it without error. I also liked very much the full but yet not boring/long description about the chakras, their roles, what kind of principles are attributed to them. Also, I would highlight the precise research study described at the end of the book, which was conducted with students, and the results are awesome.
I am so happy that we got a good yoga exercise with the help of which we can help children with ADHD or logic problems for example, without forcing them to take drugs.

So I warmly recommend to buy the book if u want to improve your or your children's brain function in a funny and easy way;) ... Read more

Product Description
Teach yoga to children the Storytime Yoga way! Gathered here is the innovative method of exercises, songs and most of all stories that make up Storytime Yoga. Storytime Yoga seeks to enlighten young minds with the magic of yoga while recounting some of the world's most delightful, instructive stories in a way that encourages literacy and vibrant physical health. Included are eight multicultural wisdom stories retold from around the world and scripted with yoga poses. Designed for parents, teachers and anyone interested in working with kids from Pre-K through 6th grade, it is packed with inspired and yet practical information, including meditations, games and more!Here you'll find captivating tales, such as the Rabbit in the Moon (from India), to the Magic Pear Tree (From China), and the Shipwrecked Sailor (from Egypt). Learn how to make up your own stories to put yoga with and encourage children to do the same. Learn the art of oral storytelling for your home or classroom today and make literacy and health come alive! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good book for teaching yoga to children of all ages
This is one of the few good yoga books to help teach yoga to children of all ages. It has information on what should happen during the yoga class for different ages of children. It includes stories, songs, games, and ideas to get kids motivated. All my yoga students who are children love the stories and games that come from this book. It has encouraged me to be more free during a children's yoga class.

This book is wonderful!
If you teach children's yoga or want to begin yoga with your children at home then this book is the one to buy.I have structured my class using the recommendations that Sydney Solis gives in the book with warmups and centerings, etc...I have also used all the stories in the book andhave went on to use other stories and folk tales I personally enjoy incorporating yoga as I tell the story.My yoga students and my own children thoroughly enjoy each class I teach and I appreciate Storytime Yoga in helping me get started.

WONDERFUL TEACHING TOOL
If you teach yoga to children this book is a great tool for you to have.
I got alot of ideas from reading this book. I have been teaching children yoga for about 2 years and was running out of new fun ways to keep the children excited about coming to class. Or maybe I was not getting excited about the classes anymore, this gave the children and myself new excitment exploring yoga through story.

Best Children's Yoga book
I teach yoga to children and have found this book to be the most informative and full of the most creative ideas.Highly recommended.

Must have book for Children's Yoga teachers
Take a magic carpet ride with Sydney Solis as she instructs the novice and seasonedyoga teacher in ways to engage children's imagination with the practice of asanas.The tone of the book is Spiritual with just enough levity to make it fun.The collection of stories are simple, mythylogical and easy to adapt to your own classes. Sydney Solis is a generous writer with a big heart. You will not regret buying this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Well designed, lots of fun
What I like most about these is that they are color coded for different kinds of poses and activities.I like the flexibility of mixing up the poses or focusing on one kind, rather than using a book that sets the sequence.The only thing I don't like about this and some other kids yoga products is that the names of poses are changed to make them more kid friendly.Since there's no consistency between products, one will call child's pose, for example, "sleeping mouse," and another will call it "rock."But overall, I highly recommend these cards.

Great Great Great
I bought the book with it and they are wonderful.My 4 and 2 year old can do many the yoga positions!!Great way to connect and to wind down for bedtime!!

Very Family Friendly
We are still trying to fit a set time for this yoga with our crazy schedules, but we have already worked on it some and my husband and I and our two girls one five and the other three all love it. The creator of these cards seem to want to create strong families. It should be easier after the holidays to establish a family yoga routine. I can't wait.

Yoga Pretzels
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! It teaches young ones about yoga and breathing with great illustrations. This is an awesome book for parents and children to bond with as well. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who have children!

Great Fun!!
I am a yoga teacher that suddenly found myself teaching a "Kids Yoga" class.Looking for fun, creative tools to reach children, I purchased Yoga Pretzels and it was the best investment I have made.After a 1/2 hour of doing yoga poses and pranayama, I pull out the cards and let each student pick a card (they are usually saying, "Is it time for the cards yet?".Each student demonstrates the pose and then we all do the pose together.The team building poses are their favorites.It brings lots of laughter and joy to the class.I now use one of the cards to end each class. We all sit in a circle, hold hands, close our eyes, and take turns gently squeezing the person hands sitting to the right and say a positive word about how they are feeling.This goes on until we the circle is complete.

My thanks to the creators of Yoga Pretzels!! ... Read more

Product Description
In this remarkable book, Paramahansa Yogananda reveals the hidden yoga of the Gospels and confirms that Jesus, like the ancient sages and masters of the East, not only knew yoga but taught this universal science of God-realization to his closest disciples. Compiled from the author's highly praised two-volume work, The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You, this insightful and compact book transcends the centuries of dogma and misunderstanding that have obscured the original teachings of Jesus, showing that he taught a unifying path by which seekers of all faiths can enter the kingdom of God. Topics include:
•The lost years of Jesus in India
•The ancient science of meditation: how to become a Christ
•The true meaning of baptism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Master of Yoga, the real Jesus
Finally a book which depicts Jesus in his true light.Yogananda reveals Jesus as an Oriental master of God conciousness and strips away Western concepts of Jesus which have been fostered since the second century.

Marvelous interpretation of the Bible
I've often found myself confused by the Bible, and rarely have I really grasped the pertinence of its teachings to the dilemmas of our present society. Never before reading this book have I found the Gospels to be so interesting, so universal in scope, and so applicable to my daily concerns.

I found this book (as well as the larger "the Second Coming of Christ") to beautifully and engagingly present the truths of Jesus in great detail and specificity, as well as in terms of universality and Oneness.

Yogananda and the Yoga of Jesus
Yogananda and the Yoga of Jesus - I've found it to be valuable in helping me to personalize and deepen my Christian heritage with my evolving spirituality.I am a yoga practitioner, seeking Enlightenment, and also respectful of where I've been and how I'm "traveling".The interesting thing is that all religious paths lead to one end, we just have different symbols for how we name and classify the roadmaps.Reading this book has helped me to be open to the spectacular opportunities for connection with the Divine which are possible in this lifetime for me and anyone else who is interested in pursuing them.

Well worth at least a read, to see what you think of his views.
This book is really great!I bought it to read to decide if I thought it was worth pursuing Yogananda's Second Coming of Christ set, which is rather expensive.Once I read this book I had to order the set, and am ready to start reading that now.This book and Yogananda's views are able to clear up some questions of the new testament which had never been clearly answered previously.It just really clears up a lot of murky areas.

I would suggest that someone new to this topic do like I did.Read this book to see if you think the things he says make sense to you.If they do, and you believe he could be right, then move on to the other set to get a more thorough saturation.I still have not decided for sure, but after reading the Second Coming I'm sure I will have made up my mind.I will also say that years ago I had read many of PY's works, and I have always found him to be a very good, decent person.Honesty and integrity of the highest caliber.(This last just in case you are not familiar with him.)

Insightful Look At Jesus and His Teachings
This book captures Paramanhansa Yogananda's spoken words and writings and puts them into clear focus in one volume on the much misunderstood teachings of Jesus. This new book "The Yoga Of Jesus" is a hundred years in the making. The editors and publishers do a great job of putting Yogananda's thoughts in a logical order so that it reveals a much deeper message--one that shows the hidden yoga of the gospels.

This book will awaken some people to new ideas while others may just have their inner truth reaffirmed. The book is a significant spiritual work and will remain a best seller (As does his classic "The Autobiography of a Yogi") for decades if not centuries.

There is even a chapter devoted to the missing years of Christ's life, which were spent in India according to Yogananda. The references and footnotes help build strong support for what this book is revealing about the life and teachings of Jesus.

The book is an eye opener for non-yogis and a blissful confirmation of truth from those who follow the teachings of Yogananda. This is one of his best books.I would suggest reading this book along with "The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You" - which blazed huge new spiritual roads just a few years ago.

This book, as with many of Yogananda's books, shows parallels between the teachings of all the great Christian saints, mystics and other enlightened founders of spiritual thought. This book should help unify and promote inter-faith understanding for those with open minds and hearts.

This book is well worth adding to your spiritual library. It can be read in a full afternoon but it may take a lifetime or longer to full grasp all the truth that is within its pages. The book is best read slowly while allowing time to ponder and digest the meaning of what is read. There is so much wisdom and love within these pages. This book receives my highest possible personal recommendation. This is a MUST READ BOOK! ... Read more

Book Description
If you've been looking for a fun and loving way to help your children learn and improve their development, look no further than Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers. New studies show that young kids learn best through play and need at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity each day. There's no better way to engage your child than through the simple practice of yoga.

Yoga can help your 18-month to five-year-old child have:
* Fewer tantrums
* Better and longer sleep
* Increased motor coordination
* Improved listening and ability to follow directions
* Better self-expression
* Higher self-esteem
* Easier relaxation
* A healthy and physically fit lifestyle

Named the "Baby Yoga Expert" by Newsweek, Helen Garabedian, a certified yoga instructor, created her program with 8-minute sequences easy to fit into a young child's day. Fully illustrated with beautiful photos, Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers features more than 50 simple poses and games kids love, offering creative ways to get active.

Yoga can even help your child throughout the day--from taming tantrums to teaching cooperation--On the Go advice and Super Duper Poses show you how. Enjoy the fun of yoga with your child today! ... Read more

Book Description
Women and men alike can reclaim their face with The YogaFacelift, an exercise, energetics, and meditation program specificallydesigned by Marie-Véronique Nadeau for the most prominent feature of thebody. We are inundated with exercise programs to tone abs, biceps, triceps,and insteps, but none to exercise and maintain the most hardworking set ofmuscles in our entire body, the face!

Nadeau has devised a holistic method for ridding the face of frownlines, reducing extra chins, and eradicating chicken neck. Her book isfilled with useful charts, instructive photographs, and simple and naturalexercises that readers can do in just five or ten minutes every day whilewaiting in traffic, talking on the phone, or working in front of thecomputer, all the while taking years off their face.

Forget BOTOX. Don't even think of invasive and potentially dangerousplastic surgeries. Ditch the collagen. And enter the stress-free, effectiveworld of Nadeau's restorative yoga therapy. The Yoga Facelift will enhanceinner and outer beauty and help you to put your best face forward!

* Gorgeous black-and-white photographs accompany each yoga pose. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

You will benefit
This otherwise great book fails to get five stars for only 2 reasons: 1) the neck exercises didn't produce noticeable results for me personally (I'm going to try Carole Maggio's book for that reason alone); and 2)the author dismisses the importance of aerobic exercise, and in fact, calls it aging.
That may be true for aerobic enthusiasts who overdo it, but imho, it's a critical component of good health and looking youthful. I'm 47 and still get carded so I vouch for the importance of exercise.
Having said that, I started noticing areas of my face that I wasn't thrilled with. Lip lines that were getting worse rather than better, lines on the side of my nose, and upper lids that could use some lift.
Bam! Immediate improvement. I agree with some of the other reviewers: it's very cool to have full, voluptuous lips. My eye area is tighter, brighter (no crow's feet whatsoever, but in fairness, I didn't have that many to begin with) and my nose lines (from squinting) are gone. My cheeks are full and my jaw line is tighter.
Why my neck didn't reap the same benefits, I'm not sure. I've been doing these exercises since June 2007 and that area is the least improved.
Just my two cents, hope it helps.

Waste of Time
This book was a big disappointment and I do not recommend it.Get it from the library if you are curious, but don't waste your money.I did!

men can benefit too
I am very impressed with Marie's approach, which addresses the concerns I have with most facial exercise programs.Exercise does work, but it has to be the right kind of exercise, and not the sort that causes the skin to wrinkle even more.Since I've begun doing these exercises I have been very happy with the results and changes I see.I have also noticed a marked improvement in my wife's face.Great book to get you thinking about how, if you don't like the way you look, you can become proactive about it.

Yoga Faclift
I never received this item, for some reason it was sent back after the first try of someone delivering it to my home

Try also -Yoga for the mind
This is a cool book on keeping 'facial' harmony-I also recommend a book a friend sent me-FREE YOUR MIND by Anthony Stultz, it is like yoga for the mind. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Bikram Choudhury, author of the newly revised Bikram's Beginning YogaClass and yoga guru to the stars, is on a mission to heal America throughyoga. Bikram claims that faithfully doing his yoga routine, which consists of 26hatha yoga asanas (postures) set down by Patanjali over 4,000 years ago,can fix everything from chronic diseases (like heart disease, diabetes, andarthritis) to obesity and depression. According to Bikram, his beginning yogaclass exercises 100 percent of the body, increases energy, and leaves youlooking and feeling fantastic.

The book contains nearly 200 photographs illustrating each of the poses. Eachasana is also accompanied by detailed directions on how to do it theright way. Can't quite twist your leg around your head or touch your nose toyour knee? Bikram will tell you how to modify poses so one day you, too, canresemble a pretzel.

This is not an easy workout. Even intermediate students will find Bikram's yogaroutine, which requires about an hour to complete, challenging. Needencouragement? Beginning Yoga contains suggestions for maintaining properyoga practice, a section on the medical benefits of yoga, notes from Bikram'sstudents, and a good dose of Bikram humor and philosophy. If you can't get toone of Bikram's 100 yoga centers and want to give his style of "hot yoga" a try,open up Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class and let Bikram work his magic onyour body, mind, and spirit. --Ellen Albertson ...