Archive for August, 2012

Relax and Unwind with Yoga by Swami Saradananda

by on Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Relax and Unwind with Yoga will help you to discover for yourself the benefits of yoga for your physical and emotional health, giving you a daily routine that features plenty of easy to follow exercises.

Relax and Unwind with Yoga is designed to help you reap the full benefits of yoga for practical and emotional wellbeing by following a daily routine that doesn’t require a huge amount of commitment. Ideal for the beginner with no previous experience, it outlines all the basic/key exercises (asanas) you will need in addition to giving you information on how, where and when to practice them. There is plenty of insight into the philosophical background of yoga and helpful tips on diet and lifestyle. Supporting materials, including a practice diary, will allow you to record your progress, while a list of teachers and sources for taking it further will be useful to all those who wish to deepen their practice.

Book: Relax and Unwind with Yoga by Swami Saradananda
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Guidebook Yoga A Spiritual

by on Saturday, August 25th, 2012

If you think of yoga mainly as a collection of stretches, Yoga: A Spiritual Guidebook by Scott Shaw offers a much broader perspective. Its focus is the philosophical and meditative tradition behind physical practice, including breath, contemplation and the search for spiritual understanding.

What is different about this book?

According to the publisher’s description, Scott Shaw introduces the historical foundations of yoga and discusses meditation, breath-control practices, Kundalini and Tantra. These subjects place the book closer to spirituality and inner discipline than to an illustrated beginner’s fitness routine.

The author’s official book list confirms the title Yoga: A Spiritual Guidebook. Its paperback is also currently listed by booksellers, with ISBN 9781877792397. Availability, price and delivery depend on the retailer and region.

What does ‘spiritual yoga’ mean?

Yoga has a long and varied history, with strands that include ethics, self-study, meditation and religious philosophy. In contemporary settings, people may practise purely for movement and relaxation or may choose to explore those deeper ideas. Shaw’s book is intended for the latter kind of curiosity.

Because several different traditions are discussed under the single word yoga, readers should not assume that all spiritual claims or practices mean the same thing. A history or philosophy guide is best read as an introduction to particular perspectives, not as a universal statement about every yoga school.

What about Kundalini and breathing techniques?

The description presents some methods as traditionally reserved for experienced students. That is a reason to approach them with care. Strong or unusual breathing techniques are not the same as quiet, natural breathing, and intense self-directed practice may not be suitable for everyone. If you want practical instruction, seek a knowledgeable, appropriately trained teacher rather than attempting advanced techniques from a brief written description.

The NCCIH’s yoga guide provides useful context on yoga’s historical background, current wellness uses and basic safety.

Who should read it?

This title is better for readers interested in yoga history, meditation and spiritual ideas than for someone who just wants a photographed pose sequence. Claims about attaining enlightenment or awakening special powers should be understood as spiritual teachings, not established medical or scientific outcomes.

Related on Veggie-Blog: Hatha Yoga Beyond the Workout and A Short History of Yoga.

Book: Yoga: A Spiritual Guidebook by Scott Shaw
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The Yoga of Golf by Ronald Mann

by on Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012

Golf looks calm from a distance, but its repeated rotations, fine motor decisions and mental pressure make it demanding. The Yoga of Golf by Ronald L. Mann brings a yogic approach to those challenges. Rather than treating yoga as an unrelated workout, the book looks at the relationship between movement, breathing, attention and performance.

What does the book cover?

Retailer descriptions of The Yoga of Golf: 3rd Edition describe techniques for calming the mind through meditation and breathing, as well as postures intended to support strength and flexibility. The book also connects golf with broader ideas from yoga philosophy. These themes make it part sports-performance guide and part reflective reading.

The original Veggie-Blog description includes an enthusiastic recommendation linked to an accomplished golfer. That endorsement is promotional context rather than independent evidence of improved scores. It is more useful to judge the book by what it teaches and how clearly a reader can put its exercises into practice.

Can you still buy it?

Yes. The third edition is independently documented under ISBN 9780971060548, and booksellers listed it for purchase at the time of checking.

How might a golfer use yoga?

Some golfers use gentle mobility exercises before practice, short breathing breaks between shots, and relaxation after a round. A useful routine should respect each person’s fitness level and the stresses of their swing. Stretching alone cannot fix poor technique or a painful injury, and yoga does not guarantee a lower handicap.

The NCCIH yoga safety overview notes that yoga is generally safe when performed properly, but injuries can occur. Avoid forcing the lower back or shoulders into an end-range position. Recurrent golf-related pain is a reason to consult a qualified clinician or physiotherapist.

Who would enjoy this?

The best audience is a golfer curious about mental focus as well as mobility. Readers seeking a purely technical swing guide may find the philosophical sections less relevant, while others may value them most.

Related on Veggie-Blog: Yoga and Sports: Skiing and Yoga for Tennis Players.

Book: The Yoga of Golf: 3rd Edition by Ronald L. Mann
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Yoga and Vegetarianism: The Path to Greater Health and Happiness Sharon Gannon

by on Sunday, August 19th, 2012

Book Description:
Drawing on both the author’s extensive studies of Vedic traditions and her longtime interest in animal rights, Yoga and Vegetarianism shows how the physical and spiritual practice of yoga is historically and structurally tied to a vegetarian lifestyle. When they are used in tandem, she argues, they form a strong framework for physical and spiritual attunement and promote an overall healthy life. Yoga and Vegetarianism emphasizes the importance of understanding of Ahimsa, the practice of non-harming and nonviolence, as the first step in marrying yoga and vegetarianism. All actions, says Gannon, originate as thoughts, so the “perfection of action” that yoga strives for must come from a perfect thought. What is a perfect thought? According to the book, it is a thought free of selfish desire, anger, and hate. This brings us back to Ahimsa and to vegetarianism. Freeing oneself of needless cruelty, harm, and injustice — which includes eating meat — can transform both the individual and the world. This book shows how.

Book: Yoga and Vegetarianism: The Path to Greater Health and Happiness by Sharon Gannon
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Easy Yoga Book

by on Saturday, August 18th, 2012

The original Veggie-Blog post for Easy Yoga Book presents a very tempting promise: a few easy practices can restore energy, vitality and even lost youth. That language captures the enthusiasm of an older style of wellness advertising. It is much stronger than the evidence supports, and it deserves to be read with a little perspective.

What is the older book supposed to offer?

According to the original description, it adapts traditional yoga ideas to modern daily life and focuses on short, practical sessions for busy readers. It is not described as an advanced posture manual. Its selling point is convenience: yoga that can fit into ordinary routines without a long commitment.

However, I could not independently confirm a reliable current publisher listing, ISBN or purchasable edition for Easy Yoga Book, and its author could not be verified in a modern catalogue.

Can short routines still be worthwhile?

Yes, as a practical habit, even without grand promises. A few minutes of movement may help interrupt a long period of sitting, loosen stiffness or create a moment of calm. Benefits vary, and persistent exhaustion is not something a stretching routine can be expected to cure. A regular walk, adequate sleep and appropriate medical care may matter more than choosing any one yoga program.

The World Health Organization advises that some activity is better than none and that people can build up gradually. Yoga can be one part of that wider movement routine.

How to begin

Try two or three comfortable stretches, follow them with relaxed breathing, and stop before you strain. If you enjoy the routine, gradually make it a habit. Consistency matters more than dramatic claims about reversing age.

Related on Veggie-Blog: Basic Yoga Postures and Their Variations and Yoga for Women: A Gentle Morning Routine.

Book: Easy Yoga Book