Posts Tagged ‘yoga book’

The Art and Science of Raja Yoga

by on Saturday, December 31st, 2011

The Art and Science of Raja Yoga contains fourteen lessons in which the original yoga science emerges in all its glory-a proven system for realizing one’s spiritual destiny. Absolutely unique, this is the most comprehensive course available on yoga and meditation today. The Art and Science of Raja Yoga can be used both by beginning and long-time practitioners of yoga.

The Art and Science of Raja Yoga gives you a complete and detailed presentation of yoga postures, yoga philosophy, affirmations, meditation instruction, and breathing techniques. There are suggestions for daily yoga routines, information of proper diet, recipes, and alternative healing techniques.

The book contains fourteen lessons in which the original yoga science emerges in all of its glory-a proven system for realizing one’s spiritual destiny. This is the most comprehensive course on yoga and meditation available today, giving you a profound and intimate understanding of how to apply these age-old teachings, on a practical, as well as spiritual, day-to-day level in this modern age.

Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) is widely considered one of the world’s foremost experts on yoga, meditation, and spiritual practice. He is the author of more than 80 books that have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide and which have been translated into 24 languages. He was educated at Haverford College and Brown University.

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Yoga for Real People Jan Baker

by on Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

For anyone intimidated by crowded yoga classes, complicated textbooks, headstands, or simply touching their toes, Yoga for Real People offers a year of classes that progress from beginning to intermediate to advanced levels of practice. A down-to-earth guide for yoga teachers and students alike, this book is illustrated throughout with more than 160 photographs correctly demonstrating 100 poses. Each lesson begins with a discussion of an important yogic concept, before presenting a posture to build flexibility and strength, followed by a meditation to inspire mental relaxation and spiritual growth. As students build a routine, they learn to first “do” the postures, then “experience” the postures, and finally “become” the postures. The appendix includes a complete list of the postures along with a helpful summary of the benefits. Jan Baker’s gentle and encouraging style teaches readers how to listen to their bodies, how to stretch without strain, and, most of all, how to find joy in all things. As she writes in the introduction, “If you want to live longer, be healthier, more peaceful – yoga has the answer. How long does it take to accomplish this? That’s up to you.

Book: Yoga for Real People by Jan Baker
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Cat Yoga by Rick Tillotson

by on Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

For centuries, people have practiced yoga as a means of improving the body, clearing the mind, and heightening joy. Now your favorite feline can relish the benefits of this ancient discipline with Cat Yoga . Regular practice will help your cat feel more energetic no more three hour naps in the sun for him! Other benefits include: • Improved balance • A sleek waistline • Mental clarity • Fuller, more luxurious whiskers Sixty full-color photographs of cats who have already unlocked the power of yoga guide your beloved pet on this journey, paving the way to enlightenment through Cat Yoga . * No cats pulled a muscle, felt dizzy, or were harmed in any way in the making of this book. Does Fluffy seem stiff and tense? Help him become the lithe and limber feline he was meant to be with Cat Yoga , a hands-on guide to the ancient practice of yoga for cats. From the Hardcover edition.

Book: Cat Yoga by Rick Tillotson
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The Path of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein

by on Saturday, December 10th, 2011

The Path of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein is for readers who have discovered yoga through a class or video and are beginning to wonder what lies behind the poses. Feuerstein was a respected scholar of yoga, and this accessible book explores the wider tradition: its history, different schools, philosophical questions and spiritual practices.

What does the book cover?

The publisher describes a broad introduction to yoga postures, diet, breathing, meditation, mantras, Kundalini and other aspects of the Indian yoga tradition. It also includes translated passages from traditional writings. Rather than presenting a single modern routine as the whole of yoga, the book gives readers a framework for understanding why practices vary so much across schools.

Why is history important when learning yoga?

Walk into several studios and you may find very different experiences: a vigorous movement class, long-held positions, a quiet meditation session or a philosophy discussion. Knowing something about yoga’s history helps explain why these styles do not all share the same emphasis. Feuerstein’s approach can give readers vocabulary and context without requiring a prior academic background.

Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes, especially thoughtful beginners who want to learn beyond the mat. It is not designed simply as a photographic exercise manual, so readers looking for a daily sequence of poses may want a practical class alongside it. The publisher presents the book as a concise introduction to principles and practices rather than a complete teacher-training text.

What should you know about health claims?

Physical yoga is often discussed in terms of flexibility, balance and well-being. The NCCIH summary of yoga describes physical postures, breathing and meditation as common elements of contemporary practice, while noting that styles differ in intensity. Those modern health discussions are a separate question from the philosophical claims encountered in classical texts. Neither should be confused with a guarantee of medical benefit.

Is the book still in print?

Yes. Shambhala Publications lists a paperback edition of The Path of Yoga: An Essential Guide to Its Principles and Practices. This makes it a stronger recommendation than a title that can only be found in uncertain second-hand listings.

Related on Veggie-Blog: What Is Yoga? and Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses.

Book: The Path of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein
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Sexy Yoga by Ellen Barrett

by on Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Sexy Yoga by Ellen Barrett belongs to a particular era of wellness publishing, when yoga-inspired routines were often marketed with bold promises about body confidence and sexual pleasure. The book presents postures, movement and breathing as ways to feel more comfortable in the body and more connected to a partner. Its subject is intimacy, but the useful question for today’s reader is whether its approach feels respectful, realistic and practical.

What does Sexy Yoga contain?

The book’s full subtitle is 40 Poses for Mind-Blowing Sex and Greater Intimacy. The original description presents a series of asanas, or yoga postures, organised around flexibility, breathing, focus and sensual awareness. The publisher’s promotional language suggests dramatic improvements in sexual performance. Those promises should be understood as marketing, not established medical outcomes.

Who might enjoy the approach?

The book may appeal to adults who already like yoga and want to explore body awareness, relaxation and communication in the context of a relationship. Movement can be a shared experience, but partners do not need to be flexible or able to perform difficult postures to feel close. Comfort, choice and consent matter far more than attempting the most photogenic stretch.

Can yoga improve intimacy?

Yoga can offer an opportunity to slow down, move with awareness and pay attention to breathing. Some people find that helpful for stress or self-confidence. It would be misleading, however, to promise that a specific pose will treat sexual dysfunction or guarantee better sex. Persistent pain, concerns about sexual function or distress in a relationship deserve individual attention from a qualified clinician or therapist.

How should readers approach the routines?

Begin with accessible movements, respect each person’s range of motion and avoid stretches that cause pain. The NCCIH overview of yoga emphasizes that yoga is generally safe when practised appropriately, but strains and sprains are possible. A gentle class may be a better foundation than following an ambitious routine from an unfamiliar book.

Can you still buy this book?

Sexy Yoga is an older title, and current listings are chiefly second-hand copies. Stock varies by seller.

Book: Sexy Yoga by Ellen Barrett
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The featured image is an AI-generated illustration, not a photo of real people or an official book cover.