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Grace is tired of her life. Her boyfriend, Harry, hasn’t had a job in years, and she’s sick of supporting him when he refuses to help himself. Her job as a pharmaceutical sales rep is unrewarding and does not provide her any inspiration. The only thing in her life she enjoys is yoga: Swami D’s yoga center provides Grace the chance to unwind and reflect on her miserable life.

Alexandra Gray’s The Yoga Teacher is about leaving your comfort zone – leaving everything comfortable and warm and forging forward into the unknown. Grace finds many rewards but also many hardships along the way. In the end, it is about pursuing those things in life that keep you fulfilled and ending those that disappoint you.

The one thing about The Yoga Teacher that may give readers some pause is its pace. Though the book is short, the first quarter of the book moves very slowly. It makes sense because it parallels the movement in Grace’s life: at the beginning, Grace’s life is slow and boring – there is nothing in it to excite her. Then, as she begins to make decisions to change her life, the pace of the narrative picks up, as does her story. Though it is an effective method (the reader really feels the despondency in Grace’s life), it may turn some readers off.

The novel also provides some interesting information about yoga, which readers unfamiliar with the practice may find valuable. It will undoubtedly inspire some to think about joining local yoga classes.

While The Yoga Teacher could be read as a mid-life crisis book due to Grace’s age (she is 40), it is more broadly book about an unhappy woman who decides that, against all odds, she will somehow find a way to be happy. It is thoroughly enjoyable, with a quirky cast of characters that any reader will love. I recommend it to any women who find the premise interesting, as well as anyone who wants to learn more about yoga.

Book: The Yoga Teacher by Alexandra Gray
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The Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa is not a general yoga exercise book. Edited, introduced and translated by Glenn H. Mullin, it brings together important texts from Tibetan Buddhism concerning an advanced Vajrayana meditation tradition. Readers looking for the history, literature and context of these practices will find a very different experience from the yoga books usually found in a fitness section.

What are the Six Yogas of Naropa?

The tradition is associated with the Indian masters Tilopa and Naropa and its transmission to Tibet through Marpa the Translator. The six practices are often described as inner heat, illusory body, clear light, consciousness transference, forceful projection and bardo yoga. These are technical practices within Tibetan Buddhism, and their names alone do not explain their meaning or method.

What does the book contain?

The publisher describes a collection of foundational writings, including texts attributed to Tilopa and Naropa and later contributions from Tibetan teachers. Alongside translations and historical material, it contains a practice manual and discussions of how the Six Yogas continued through different lineages. The value of this compilation lies in access to primary religious materials with explanatory context, not in a list of quick exercises for stress relief.

Who is Glenn H. Mullin?

Mullin is known for translating and writing about Tibetan Buddhist traditions. For this particular publication, Shambhala Publications explicitly credits him as editor, translator and author of the introduction. Giving that credit accurately matters because the collection includes historical texts by other teachers rather than representing a single modern author’s original yoga system.

Is it suitable for someone new to meditation?

It is best approached as a serious study text. The publisher’s reader’s guide to Naropa states that the Six Yogas are advanced tantric practices requiring close guidance from a qualified teacher. Reading about them can be an introduction to their historical and doctrinal setting, but the book should not be treated as authorization to attempt the practices independently.

How is this different from everyday mindfulness?

Mindfulness exercises offered in many contemporary settings usually focus on present-moment attention and awareness. The NCCIH meditation overview is useful for learning about those general approaches. The Six Yogas of Naropa, however, belong to a specific religious tradition with its own purposes, teachings and requirements. They should not be presented as interchangeable.

Is the original book available?

Yes. The publisher currently lists the paperback The Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa (ISBN 9781559392563) as available.

Related on Veggie-Blog: Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses and The Path of Yoga. These discuss different traditions.

Book: The Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa, edited and translated by Glenn H. Mullin
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What happens when you mix the control and concentration of yoga with light strength training? That is the idea behind Iron Yoga, a workout book by triathlete Anthony Carillo, written with Eric Neuhaus. Instead of treating yoga and weight training as completely separate activities, the method combines familiar poses with dumbbell movements.

What is the Iron Yoga approach?

The publisher describes a full-body programme that adds light to moderate weights to more than 25 yoga postures. The goal is to work muscles in the arms, shoulders, chest, back and core while moving deliberately and paying attention to breathing. The book includes photographs demonstrating the positions. It is best understood as a structured fitness routine, not a traditional manual of yoga philosophy.

Who wrote the book?

Anthony Carillo developed the method while training for an Ironman triathlon. An important bibliographic detail missing from some older descriptions is that Eric Neuhaus is also credited as a co-author by the publisher. Both names are included below to make it easier for readers to find the correct title and edition.

Can you combine yoga and weights safely?

It can be enjoyable, but the combination adds complexity. Balancing while holding a weight may place extra demands on wrists, shoulders and the lower back. Beginners should first learn the unweighted movements, then try very light weights only if they can maintain control. Avoid forcing twists or taking a loaded joint beyond its comfortable range of motion.

The World Health Organization’s physical activity guidance encourages adults to include muscle-strengthening activity alongside aerobic exercise. That general guidance does not mean every hybrid workout is suitable for every person. The NCCIH yoga safety guide also reminds readers that sprains and strains are possible. Anyone recovering from injury should seek appropriate advice before starting a loaded yoga sequence.

Are the promised results realistic?

The older promotional description emphasizes rapid body sculpting. Real progress depends on consistency, recovery, nutrition, training level and the rest of your activity. A book can offer ideas and structure, but it cannot promise a particular physique or timetable. Treat it as a potentially interesting workout option rather than a shortcut to fitness.

Can the book still be purchased?

The title is still listed as an e-book by Penguin Random House. Readers interested in a paper copy should check individual retailers, as print availability may vary.

Related reading: Preventing Sports Injuries and Sports Fitness.

Book: Iron Yoga by Anthony Carillo with Eric Neuhaus
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The Synthesis of Yoga is Sri Aurobindo’s principle work on yoga, comparing the methods of the various schools of traditional yoga, and providing the comprehensive way for following the true path to Divine consciousness. It is the primary work on Integral Yoga, the system of yoga that Sri Aurobindo developed.

The book originally appeared in serial form in Arya, published between 1914 and 1921.

Synthesis on Yoga is divided into four parts: the Yoga of Divine Works, of Integral Knowledge, of Divine Love, and of Self Perfection. The first three correspond to the three-fold yoga of the Bhagavad Gita (i.e. karma-, jnana-, and bhakti-yoga), while the last (incomplete) section gives Sri Aurobindo’s own development and synthesis of these three paths.

Sri Aurobindo revised the text of the book during three distinct periods. These are: In the 1920s, mostly minor corrections to certain chapters; a full-scale revision during or around 1932, with a view to publishing The Synthesis as a book; and during the early 1940s, further work on the later chapters of Part I, as well as beginning two new chapters, which he apparently intended to add to this part, but which he abandoned before completion. During the later part of the 1940s, Sri Aurobindo lightly revised the entire first part of the Synthesis while preparing it for publication.

Book: Synthesis of Yoga by Sri Aurobindo
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Bring the ancient practice of yoga from the mat into the bedroom—with electrifying results!

There’s no doubt about it: Yoga is sexy. With skimpy yoga outfits, graceful moves, deep breathing, and poses like Downward Dog, it’s no wonder yoga can leave you feeling a little turned on. Now the Better Sex Through Yoga program allows you to bring that yoga-sexiness right into the bedroom—and take your sex drive to unimaginable new heights.

A combination of traditional yoga poses, Pilates, and dance, along with twenty mind-blowing sex positions, Better Sex Through Yoga is guaranteed to tone up your body and turn up the heat on your lovemaking. Targeting the muscles of your sexual core to strengthen your pelvis, hips, and abdomen, the program also works the PC muscles, a little-known muscle group that prolongs and intensifies sexual pleasure. Each of the routines will increase your stamina, enhance your flexibility, and jumpstart your libido for deeper, longer, more frequent orgasms. You can try:

The Honeymoon… ignites the spark and gets you in the best sexual shape of your life
Hot Date Prep… leaves you feeling frisky, relaxed, and glowing as you head out the door
Bedtime Bootie… fast, loose, and hot, this quickie routine revs you up before hitting the sheets
Flexy Makes Sexy… opens the door for incredible new positions and heightened sexual pleasure
And seven more steamy yoga sequences

Soon your sex life will be sizzling and you’ll be feeling more confident in the bedroom and beyond. Working out has never been this good—or satisfying!

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