365 Yoga by Julie Rappaport Average Rating: "As a student new to yoga, I found this book fantastically helpful. I really enjoyed the quotations which I thought well chosen and a good introduction to the philosophy behind the exercises. The book is well laid out and easily digestible, something important to me as a beginner and I was impressed by the author's own writings and her obvious love for her subject. I'm sure this book will appeal to both newcomer and old hand, I thought it a wonderful read and it has certainly inspired me to look deeper into the practice." Publisher: Tarcher | More reviews: amazon.com
Inner Tantric Yoga: Working with the Universal Shakti: Secrets of Mantras, Deities, and Meditation by David Frawley Average Rating: Publisher: Lotus Press | More reviews: amazon.com
Layayoga: The Definitive Guide to the Chakras and Kundalini by Shyam Sundar Goswami Average Rating: "I also highly recommend this book as an excellent and detailed guide to the chakras and to some extent the nadis (of which there is no complete guide in publication). It is of great practical assistance to those interested in kundalini yoga and will particularly assist those who follow unreliable New Age methods.However, as an experienced librarian, I wish to warn all those interested in this subject that this is not a new title but in fact a reprint of the 1980 publication entitled "Layayoga : an advanced method of concentration". I condemn the publisher Inner Traditions for not clearly indicating this fact prominently on the item as well as including a false "Foreword to the Second Edition" (the writer of which clearly asserts this is simply a reprint) and so deceiving those scanning booklists that they may be unnecessarily purchasing a duplicate." Publisher: Inner Traditions | More reviews: amazon.com
The Tibetan Book of Yoga: Ancient Buddhist Teachings on the Philosophy and Practice of Yoga by Geshe Michael Roach Average Rating: "It is a shame that I have to point out the book's greatest strength as well as its greatest weakness with equal importance. First, one cannot overstate the importance of moving beyond the overemphasis on strictly bodily exercise of Westernized yoga schools. Most U.S. yoga teachers sell the strictly physical benefits (which ultimately is pointless) or worse yet, mix a mostly physical curriculum with muddled, poorly understood jibber jabber about "energy" or "chakras" or other buzzwords culled from Hindu tradition without an understanding of the overarching, and highly technical, theories behind the complete science of yoga. In other words, much of Western yoga has Patanjali rolling in his grave. As a refreshing contrast, this book explains, albeit in a more simplified manner for the non-Buddhists, the exact reason why yoga can work and how lasting transformation can be achieved. It is also a joy to see Tonglen being taught in "stealth" mode. Thus, we have a Dharma practice that non-Buddhists can practice without feeling alienated or uncomfortable with religious imagery. Buddhists with more experience in these traditions will recognize the deeper meanings to Geshe Roach's non-Buddhist-friendly presentations instantly, whether they are trained in the Sutra tradition only, or in higher teachings. There is a great deal of knowledge stuffed into this rather slender volume for those who are familiar with the Tibetan tradition.Unfortunately, it does not seem that physical culture is the author's strong suit. Yoga DOES have an important physical dimension, and one would not want to make the opposite mistake of many yoga teachers and stress mental exercise to the detriment of physical positioning. Having been a student of yoga for quite some time, I must say that the description of the postures is imprecise and sometimes confusing. Being a student of yoga doesn't help, as many postures are different from tradition to tradition, especially Sun Salutations! With a posture that has many steps like Sun Salutations, a picture of a competent yogi executing the posture MUST be included with the instructions. It isn't. Even so-so or tragically average yoga books have clearer illustrations and better instructions. Beginners may not be doing these postures correctly. Frankly, since I learned the postures in a different tradition, I am not sure that I am doing some things exactly as the author intends. This is doubly disappointing because the author stresses great precision in the postures and breathing, yet provides instructions that sometimes fall short of this precision. I will admit that this is more of a problem for people who are newer to yoga, but doesn't this book seem written for such a person? I highly recommend doing what the author suggests in later chapters - get instruction from a qualified teacher. When you have some experience with the postures, you probably will be able to piece together what the occasional fuzzy instruction means in this tradition.The format of the book does not lend itself to opening on the floor so that a new student can glance at the instructions while halfway into a posture. It flies shut. Many home yoga students find it necessary to do this when a posture is new to them. I still can't get over the lack of photos of some aspects of the postures. Still, one must look at Yoga in the Western world when evaluating this book. We have strictly physical teachers who see yoga as just another health club activity, and we have teachers that try to be "spiritual" but are borrowing bits and pieces from many different traditions that they don't really understand. This book really does eliminate that problem by having a solid, logical theory behind the asanas. I can't stress how important that is to have. So I can give this book four stars and recommend it to others without reservation. Still, I feel the need to reiterate my warning to the newbie: get a good teacher, even if he or she lacks the spiritual understanding of yoga, and gain experience with the physical side of the postures. One misplaced foot or one improperly rounded shoulder can render a posture incorrect, and much less effective." Publisher: Doubleday | More reviews: amazon.com
Yogini: Unfolding the Goddess Within by Shambhavi Lorain Chopra Average Rating: "I loved reading this book. I finished it in 2 days. The author's style is very relaxed and you really feel like you know her.
The book is about the author's personal spiritual journey. She is a devotee of Shiva and most of the writing is about her relationship with Him but she also includes her encounters with goddesses such as Tara, Kali, Dhumavati and Durga. Shambhavi also shares stories about her teachers; I found this quote that is near the end of the book to be very enlightening: "My teachers acknowledged that the "truth is yours already! Be your own teacher to begin with; you already have the lamp within you. Light it and walk on without fear!"
This book shares a very personal story of Tantra and Bhakti yoga, I felt honored to be privy to this author's musings. It gives a lot of good advice for your own spiritual path. I highly recommend this book." Publisher: Wisdom Tree | More reviews: amazon.com
Prayer of Heart and Body: Meditation and Yoga As Christian Spiritual Practice by Thomas Ryan Average Rating: "I have been learning to do yoga for health reasons, to enhance both my physical strength and the body/mind connection in order to reduce the effects of fibromyalgia. I am interested in both the physical as well as the spiritual effects of yoga. Because I am a Christian, I have found it hard to use traditional yogic, primarily Kundalini chants, as they do not represent my religious views completely. This book has helped me to put my yoga practice together with my Christian beliefs, and to begin to explore and accept the mystical spirit of God in a new way. I recommend it to anyone who is on the same spiritual and health path." Publisher: Paulist Press | More reviews: amazon.com
Golden Elixir Chi Kung by Mantak Chia Average Rating: "This is an excellent book. It clearly explains the flow of energy and how to balance it with your own body. A definite have to have for any library." Publisher: Destiny Books | More reviews: amazon.com
The Secret Art of Boabom: Awakening Inner Power Through Defense-Meditation from Ancient Tibet by Asanaro Average Rating: "Picked this book after a friend of mine kept on incessantly talking about it. A few pages on it and I realized why he liked it so much: the book starts with a nice story that introduces one in the 'lost teachings of this Art' in a simple yet very straight-forward way.
I kept on reading. I started liking it more and more.
Then you have the second section, which explains and clears how to work with this book, how to follow the chart in time (a very useful chart, I must add!!!). A very concise section, that explained all I would have asked a teacher.
I continued reading, and started doing the exercises.
The exercises themselves are simple and easy to follow. Nothing I couldn't follow (I have to say that my friend didn't have any problems himself following them either). The drawings are very good, and even though the author says he drew all of them himself, they have that 'je ne sais quoi'... they go with the book!
The book finishes explaining how the Boabom Schools work and with a scientific study. Also, and I think the author did the same in his previous book, there are comments from real students, people like me and my friend that take the classes or read the book and continue doing the exercises. Real people.
I will not debate on whether these teachings are ten billion years old or a modern creation: they work, and that is what matters. They make me feel great, renewed and refreshed, and they clear my mind of the habitual problems I worry about: work, money, daily stress, bills, being a 'professional procrastinator' and... well... my daily life.
Very good book. Especially considering that it is a book that tries to teach exercises, breathing techniques and coordinations, which is already hard with a teacher in front of you. I have to add that the author managed to do it flawlessly!
Everyone should read it. " Publisher: Tarcher | More reviews: amazon.com
Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life: A Guide for Everyday Practice by Charlotte Bell Average Rating: "Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life is an open invitation to bring yoga into your life. Drawing on many years of yoga study,the author presents its core teachings, artfully weaving in personal stories from her own journey. Part memoir,part instruction,the result is a warm and accessible guidebook to be sampled, savored, and shared. Receive the book as a gift, whether you are just beginning yoga or have been on the path for years.
Yael Calhoun, coauthor of Create a Yoga Practice for Kids
Executive Director of GreenTREE Yoga" Publisher: Rodmell Press | More reviews: amazon.com
Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga Tradition Average Rating: "Marshall Govindan writes with insight and intelligence on the history of the Siddhas. It is, therefore, very difficult to understand the motivation behind some of the scathing reviews on this page - perhaps it is a matter of Govindan having offended the fundamentalist Christian mindset by delving into the topic of immortality; although one wonders why such people would even pick up a book like this one. I would have liked to see more information on Babaji himself, as the current offering is rather sketchy. Nevertheless, the book is well-researched and illuminated by Govindan's gentle style. It is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in following the paths of the Siddhas, particularly the ones who have allegedly transformed the physical body into an immortal vehicle, transcending ageing and death. Govindan also gives us a concise and well-organized overview of Kriya Yoga making this book an excellent introduction to the topic." Publisher: Kriya Yoga Publications | More reviews: amazon.com
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