| Thursday, September 18, 2008
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Yoga: The Greater Tradition
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 There are so many books on yoga on the market now that at times a newcomer can feel like they are drowning in choices. Most of the books for beginners are extremely similar, defining yoga, pranayama, and asana in basic accessible, physical terms. But there are a few books that lead the beginner closer to a path of understanding of the vast scope of yoga and all that it encompasses. The new book Yoga: The Greater Tradition does just that. One of the present day authorities in the classical traditions of Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda, David Frawley, offers a beginners book of Yoga that spans the philosophical and traditional aspects of the practice without feeling overwhelming or archaic. |
| Thursday, August 21, 2008
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The Yoga Practice Guide
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 An excellent resource for the sequencing of yoga postures, this large-format spiral-bound book is divided into 5 levels of sequences: beginner, intermediate, intermediate/advanced, advanced and restorative. Each of the sequences have an easy to follow format of simple black and white drawings in long rows, which are beautifully illustrated. |
 Kirtan (call-and-response Sanskrit chanting), is becoming increasingly popular in the West. Three recent books aim to describe this practice to newcomers and experienced chanters alike. If you are interested in learning about the practice of Kirtan and about the popular Kirtan wallhas (performers) then one or more of these books will definitely appeal to you. |
| Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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Yoga for Computer Users
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 I know from firsthand experience the tolls that working on a computer for extended hours can take on the body. This book addresses these stresses and strains of the hands, shoulders and neck through yoga exercises and stretches, practiced at your desk or on your yoga mat. With only 23 illustrated poses this book is accessible and most importantly, not overwhelming to the average office worker. The poses themselves are simple and easy to do and include modifications with props for those with limited flexibility. |
 Often it is not the information contained in a book that draws us to it, but the context in which it is presented. The Buddhist teachings and practices that Gabriel Cohen presents are not new, he is himself a novice Buddhist practitioner, but they are framed in the space of a man in the midst of a heartbreaking end of a relationship that he believed would last forever. Through the clarity and insight of Buddhist meditation and teachings, he was able to steer through the turbulent waters of ending a relationship and in the process recognize his own strength and compassion. |
 This fascinating and scholarly exploration of the history of hatha yoga and it’s asanas (postures) explores the modern belief that the poses derive from an ancient and original set of eighty-four asanas. Buhnemann traces and documents the traditional sets of 84 classical yoga postures by examining original materials, including drawings, descriptions in older Indic texts and modern publications and finds conflicting lists of poses with the oldest dating from the 17th century. |
| Sunday, April 06, 2008
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Yoga for Arthritis
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 This excellent book covers the therapeutic applications of yoga for all types of arthritic conditions. The excellent overview of the pathology of arthritis, and the brief introduction to the therapeutic benefits of yoga, sets the foundation for the rest of the book, which is organized primarily by the effected joint. Each joint is addressed in detail with a list of poses that activate and benefit the joint, and each chapter ends with a table summarizing the poses intensity and actions on the joint. Many of the yoga poses utilize modifications with props (primarily chairs and straps) and have two stages to work with to suit all levels of ability. |
| Monday, March 03, 2008
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Yoga as Medicine
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 While several books have been written on the subject of yoga therapy, this is the first that attempts to explain how and why yoga works as a therapeutic tool to heal disease. Western-trained internist and medical editor of Yoga Journal, Timothy McCall M.D., provides an excellent overview of the use of yoga as medicine and the practice of yoga in the first 2 parts of this in-depth book. The book’s third part, Yoga Therapy in Action, contains the most important content to the reader, with twenty chapters devoted to a large array of common medical conditions. |
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| Friday, January 18, 2008
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Yoga Anatomy
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 While there are several good yoga anatomy books available, this is the first I’ve seen that makes a fundamental shift, using anatomy as a tool to bring greater awareness and understanding into the practice of yoga. The book’s primary intention is to be an inspiration to explore and investigate our physical and subtle bodies through the yoga asanas and the breath. The introductory chapters provide a wonderful overview of how yogic concepts and philosophies are contained and revealed in the physical anatomy and structures of the body. The chapters on the Dynamics of Breathing and Yoga and the Spine contain many gems of insight and wisdom of the functions of and relationships between the breath, the body and the spine. |
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| Thursday, November 08, 2007
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Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis
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 Eric Small has been exploring the healing benefits of yoga for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for the last 55 years. Along with Dr. Loren Fishman, who has incorporated yoga in his medical practice for more than twenty-five years, they have created an informative and highly respected book for the healing of MS with yoga. The book’s first section provides a series of yoga poses geared towards various levels of ability and function: restorative, wheelchair, chair, seated and floor. The modifications described here can also be easily applied for other types of students with limited mobility. |
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 Jnana yoga, the “path of knowledge,” is an intellectual and introspective practice to connect with the inner Divine Self. While this Jnana yoga is considered one of the most difficult of yoga’s practices, The Yoga of Truth gives us an easy start and a clear overview of this path. Marchand begins with a series of clear, straightforward questions that easily expose our ingrained false concepts of reality. With the help of simple reasoning and some basic yogic philosophy, these introspective questions guide us closer and closer to finding our true Self. Even if you are not concerned with attaining enlightenment, The Yoga of Truth will still provide a valuable context and understanding for the “play of life” and the spiritual roles of the ego, mind, intellect and consciousness. |
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 Swami Radha’s classic book on the symbols and metaphors of the yoga asanas has become even better with this improved and updated 20th anniversary edition. Her insightful explorations into the deeper meanings of 22 yoga poses have been expanded with additional instructions to help incorporate this contemplative methodology in both an asana practice and in day-to-day life. Each chapter contains a different asana with an essay exploring the rich imagery of the posture with its’ mythological, spiritual and religious associations. A practice section follows with step-by-step detailed instructions on how to practice and incorporate these concepts as well as further ideas on how to work with the pose. Beautiful black and white photographs of the asanas have been added, along with a new introduction, and appendices on mantra, Kundalini Yoga and other spiritual practices. Even if you own a copy of the original, this new edition will still be a worthwhile addition to your yoga library. |
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 While there are several partner yoga books in print, none of them come as close to capturing the spirit and communicating the essence of this practice as Contact: The Yoga of Relationship. This beautiful coffee table sized book is filled with huge black and white photos, many of famous yoga teachers, taken in a candid, naturally expressive style. In the first part, general practice guidelines are given and the structure of the second section is described through the primary qualities of the chakra system: trust, passion, commitment, love, communication, vision and union. These seven “points of contact” are each given a chapter in the second section, with guidelines for incorporating each concept, as well as partner poses and exercises that develop these qualities. Short inspirational quotes are sprinkled throughout the pages that further highlight the concepts and ideas presented. And while there are step-by-step instructions for many of the poses, this work serves more as an inspiration, expression and statement of the joy, beauty and depth of partner yoga rather than a how-to guide. |
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| Tuesday, May 01, 2007
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Mega Yoga
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 This first-of-its-kind book is written and designed especially for plus-sized yoga students. Yoga poses, modifications, intensifications, and unique curvy women adaptations are given using multiple full color photos in a clear step-by-step format. Garcia stresses the benefits of yoga and uses a body positive approach of compassion, contentment and non-judgement throughout the book. And while she never emphasizes weight loss, she still offers the tools and techniques to empower one to achieve a strong body and a healthy lifestyle. The yoga pose chapters are divided according to the poses’ function and action, and are laid out in a intuitive sequence format. The end of the book contains three MegaYoga program sequences of 30, 60 and 90-minute illustrated posture flows, tying everything together. This well put together book is a very safe and un-intimidating approach to the practice of yoga for the beginning student, while still offering options to grow into a more intermediate practice. |
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| Sunday, April 01, 2007
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Hip Tranquil Chick
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 This lighthearted, fun and inspiring book aims to guide women who wish to weave their “practice of yoga and love of all things fabulous into a hip and tranquil lifestyle.” Using wise tips, well thought out tools and personal engaging stories, Wilson provides this hip yogic advice with grace and beauty. The “On the Mat” section is fairly standard yoga book faire, with information on the path and practice of yoga, and includes basic yoga poses and sequences. The heart of the book lies in the “Off the Mat” section, which includes nine chapters that incorporate fundamental yogic concepts into daily life issues, such as career, finances, self-care, and relationships. Each chapter ends with “Savvy Sources,” a list of book, web and music resources, and “Om Work,” simple homework exercises to further explore the key concepts discussed. Overall, this is a great modern yogic lifestyle manual that will foster both personal growth and social consciousness. |
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 While there are now several great books on the anatomy of yoga, this book is clearly oriented towards visual learners, as the illustrations of muscles on a skeletal frame of the body communicate much more than any text ever could. The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga is organized much like other anatomy books, making it clear, straightforward and easy to access. The first section of the book covers all the basic anatomy terminology. The latter chapters cover each muscle in detail with multiple illustrations showing close ups of its origin and insertion, the muscle’s antagonists and synergists, how the muscle is stretched and contracted within multiple yoga poses. While this book is full of relevant information on the anatomy of yoga, the full color and highly detailed anatomical illustrations of yoga poses make this book a must have for any yoga teacher or serious yoga practitioner. |
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