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While there is no denying yoga’s popularity as a form of physical exercise, the other life-enhancing aspects of this tradition remain obscure to many Westerners. In Yoga for Transformation, Gary Kraftsow introduces techniques that treat not only the physical body but also the emotions, mind, heart, and soul of the practitioner-the places where real transformation can take place. There are breathing techniques to control energy levels, exercises to train and sharpen the intellect, and meditative practices to help increase self-awareness. With more than 350 black and white photographs throughout, this unique and accessible book is dedicated to strengthening the whole self-body, mind, and spirit.

What is Yoga for Transformation about?

The description says that yoga’s popularity as exercise hides its other life-enhancing aspects, and that the book introduces techniques that work on the emotions, mind, heart and soul as well as the body.

Who wrote Yoga for Transformation?

Gary Kraftsow is the author listed in the title.

What topics does it cover?

The topics named are breathing techniques to control energy levels, exercises to train and sharpen the intellect, and meditative practices to help increase self-awareness. It also includes more than 350 black and white photographs.

Do I need experience to use it?

The description calls the book “unique and accessible”. It does not say whether previous yoga experience is needed.

Summary based on the book description on Amazon.

Is yoga more than exercise?

Many people come to yoga for the physical side, but the tradition is wider. The NIH yoga summary from NCCIH explains that yoga began as a spiritual practice and that the postures-and-breathing version familiar in the West is only one part of classical yoga. Books on the philosophical side usually discuss ethics, attention and self-reflection.

Whatever a text promises about change, it helps to separate personal experience from measured results. The same NCCIH page reports research suggesting that yoga may help with stress management, mood, sleep and balance, and also notes that the many yoga styles make studies hard to compare. Treat any reading as a prompt for your own practice, and adopt it step by step.

If you have a medical condition, speak to your health care provider before changing your exercise routine.

More on this blog: A Short History of Yoga: From Ancient Texts to Hatha Classes and a Record Number of Americans and What Is Yoga?

Book: Yoga for Transformation by Gary Kraftsow
View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you)