Veggie Blog

One of the most enjoyable parts of a yoga class comes when we rest in savasana—the “corpse” pose—and realize deep serenity, a sense of eff ortless joy, and a glimpse into our true nature as unqualified presence. How is this so? Master teacher Richard Miller explains that this experience is a manifestation of yoga nidra, the meditative state of mind-body union at the heart of all yoga practice. A powerful integration of book and CD audio learning, Yoga Nidra is an ancient tantric yoga path that leads to inner freedom. Th rough accessible language appropriate for any level of practice, Miller takes us step by step through the traditional techniques of relaxation and meditation to help us move toward the realization of “unqualified presence”—the ultimate aim of yoga—a goal unreachable through posture practice alone. Through his expert guidance, students will experience: • Deep relaxation for relief from day-to-day stress • The development of “one-pointedness”—a key to spiritual awakening • Healing from painful emotions, such as fear, grief, and anger • More effective and energizing sleep, and much more Suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners—but new to most Westerners—Yoga Nidra provides an unmatched way to experience the culmination of the art of yoga, and the deeper physical, emotional, and spiritual rewards that are its promise.

Book: Yoga Nidra by Richard Miller PhD
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In Holy Yoga Author and yoga instructor Brooke Boon has combined her devotion to Christianity with her passion for a healthy body and mind to create a fitness book designed specifically for Christians. Through prayer, breath work, and movement Brooke teaches you how to worship the Lord and Savior, physically and spiritually. Includes a 50-minute instructional DVD.

People often equate yoga with Eastern religion, but Brooke Boon sees it as an exercise style that Christians can use to generate patience, strength, and deeper worship. Author and yoga instructor Brooke Boon combines her passion for Christianity with her commitment to health to introduce yoga as a physical and spiritual discipline that strengthens the body and the soul. Clear explanations and photographs make yoga accessible for any reader, and Brooke offers customized routines for readers struggling with specific issues, such as weight loss and anxiety. Through it all Brooke uses scriptural references to help reinforce the idea that by taking care of our bodies we can also take care of our faith.

Book: Holy Yoga by Brooke Boon
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In Yoga for Transformation, Gary Kraftsow invites readers to look beyond the physical side of yoga. The book is interested in how posture, breath, attention and reflection can form a more personal practice. For readers whose experience of yoga begins and ends with stretching, it offers a different way to think about why they come to the mat.

What does the book cover?

The publisher describes a wide-ranging introduction to the physical, emotional and contemplative dimensions of yoga. It includes breathing techniques, exercises intended to sharpen attention and meditation practices for self-awareness. More than 350 black-and-white photographs support the explanations. Kraftsow is known for his work in the Viniyoga tradition, which places emphasis on adapting practice to individual needs.

Who is it written for?

This is most likely to appeal to a curious reader who wants yoga to be a regular personal practice rather than an occasional workout. It may also interest people who already enjoy postures but have not explored breath work or meditation. A reader looking only for a quick illustrated list of stretches may find its wider philosophical scope more than they need.

How does it fit with current evidence?

Yoga combines multiple elements, and that is part of what makes it difficult to study as one single intervention. The NCCIH summary of yoga research reports potential benefits for stress management, sleep and balance, while noting that results depend on the population and the kind of yoga studied. Spiritual or personal claims made in a book should not be confused with demonstrated treatment effects.

For a practical start, you might combine a gentle posture, a few minutes of unforced breathing and a quiet pause at the end. Stop if a movement causes pain, and seek individual advice before changing your routine if you have a relevant medical condition.

Can you buy it today?

Yes, the book remains in the publisher’s catalogue, with a paperback and ebook listing. It is an older title, but its availability does not depend only on second-hand sellers.

Check editions at Penguin Random House.

Related on Veggie-Blog: A Short History of Yoga and What Is Yoga?.

Book: Yoga for Transformation by Gary Kraftsow
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The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is a classic Sanskrit treatise consisting of 195 “threads,” or aphorisms, describing the process of liberation through yoga. Although little is known about Patanjali (most scholars estimate that he lived in India circa 200–300 b.c.), his writings have long been recognized as a vital contribution to the philosophy and practice of yoga. This new, expert translation of the original Sanskrit text of Patanjali’s best-known work presents his seminal ideas and methods in accessible, plain-language English.

Patanjali organized the sutra into four parts: Samadhi (absorption), Sadhana (practice), Vibhuti (supernatural powers), and Kaivalya (liberation). Each represents a step in breaking free of our limited definition of consciousness and training the mind to achieve oneness with the universe. Geshe Michael Roach, one of the most respected teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in America and a renowned scholar of Sanskrit, provides authoritative commentary on each of the sutras. His notes and clarification are straightforward and highly readable, untainted by obscure, academic terminology or New Age jargon. The first edition of the Yoga Sutra to present a Buddhist perspective, this paperback original will be welcomed by students and spiritual seekers alike.
Author Bio:
GESHE MICHAEL ROACH is a fully ordained Buddhist monk and has been a teacher of Buddhism since 1981. He is also a scholar of Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Russian, and has translated many works in these languages into English. He founded the Asian Classics Institute and the Asian Classics Input Project and has been active in the restoration of the Sera Mey Tibetan Monastery, where he received his training. He lives in New York and Arizona.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is a foundational ancient text that examines the purpose and practice of yoga. Longtime American Buddhist teacher Roach, who holds the distinguished title of geshe (comparable to a Ph.D. in Buddhist religious studies), provides commentary to McNally’s fresh translation of this aphoristic text from ca. 250 B.C.E. Yoga means union, and this interpretation unites the ways of Buddhism and yoga, making it useful for students of either practice. Roach’s commentary reveals the text’s logic and organization, unpacking its density in 108 short sections, each devoted to a few lines of the text. An index of important ideas in the sutra is helpful. Like any classic sacred text, this one is deceptively simple, inviting study, as Roach notes (“Now that you’ve read this book, you need to use it”). The text is dense and the commentary short, so this is not a book for beginners. The subtitle is misleading: as how-to books go, this is fairly abstract (“Everything we see around us is either at work or at rest”), lacking real anecdotes or examples to illustrate ideas. But for more experienced students and those interested in the intersection between yoga and Buddhism, this is a stimulating presentation of an influential text. (Aug. 16) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Book: The Essential Yoga Sutra by Geshe Michael Roach
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Best-selling author Darrin Zeer knows it takes two to tango—and two to yoga! His latest winner, Lovers’ Yoga, shows how easy it is for couples to indulge in nurturing, soothing partner exercises to relax, rejuvenate, and create deep, lasting bonds.

Delightfully illustrated, this little handbook outlines 60 surprisingly simple stretches organized into five chapters-Playful, Powerful, Peaceful, Patient, and Passionate. The exercises build on one another, so couples can indulge in one stretch, a chapter sequence, or the entire book from beginning to end. Whether time allows for a few minutes or a few hours, Lovers’ Yoga aims to renew the connection and reignite the passion. Darrin Zeer is the author of several popular books. He traveled in Asia for seven years, studying the Eastern arts of healing. He has appeared widely in the media and currently teaches Lovers’ Yoga workshops at luxurious resorts worldwide. Thorina Rose is a San Francisco-based illustrator. Her whimsical drawings have appeared in Office Kama Sutra and numerous publications.

Darrin Zeer is the author of several popular books, including Office Yoga (0-8118-2685-6), Office Spa (0-8118-3345-3), Office Feng Shui (0-8118-4215-0), and, most recently, Travel Yoga (0-8118-4503-6). He traveled in Asia for seven years, studying the Eastern arts of healing. He has appeared widely in the media and currently teaches Lovers’ Yoga workshops at luxurious resorts worldwide.
Thorina Rose is a San Francisco based illustrator. Her whimsical drawings have appeared in Office Kama Sutra (0-8118-3138-8) and numerous publications.

Book: Lovers’ Yoga by Darrin Zeer
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