14 responses so far ↓

• 1 Devine

  The Yoga Primer has served as an inspiration and light to my yoga practice for the past 20 years. It is a rare and precious offering from a true yoga master that goes to the pure heart of the essence of the 8 limbed path. As a shining example of karma yoga, all proceeds from the sale of this book (and all books by Baba Hari Dass) go to support an orphanage in India.This gem of a book offers teachings on many aspects of yoga practice. It has great photos and some of the best descriptions of asana benefits that I have read anywhere. It further teaches extensive practices that support asana practice such as shat karmas (internal cleansing) and mudras (exercises to raise the kundalini energy). The section on chakras clearly defines the path kundalini takes as it rises. One section is devoted to pranayamas which not only help with the ultimate aim of quieting the mind so it can rest in it’s true nature of peace, but also reduce negative emotions and increase the prana (subltle air) which uplifts the mind and enrgizes the body. For the devotional types, there is a lovely description of arati and graceful hand mudras to enhance the worship aspect of your practice. All in all, a joy to have, a guide and companion on the path, and a great gift. My family and friends have enjoyed receiving it for a few generations now. Blessings on your way!om shanti om,Urmila

• 2 Diep

  This book could well be titled “Chakras, Kundalini and How to Awaken It” as that is the information it contains. A concise guide to the systematic stages of this “open secret.” I highly recommend this deceptively simple book to the seeker of spiritual yoga.pI noted one reviewer here was disappointed because this book didn’t fit their idea of “power yoga.” This struck me as odd since kundalini yoga is very, very powerful. I think perhaps they, like many people, have confused power with perspiration. If you just want to be physically strong, yoga can do that for you. Perhaps one day though you will discover that yoga goes far beyond that. Perhaps then you may find this book helpful in your search for true spritual union.pNamaste

• 3 Sabo

  Baba Hari Dass is a silent yogi who communicates via a chalk board. He is very straight forward and to the point and does not waste words. The book opens up flat so you can look at the wonderful pictures of the poses. It has a great introduction that includes all the limbs of Ashtanga (8 limbed) yoga. If it has a fault it is that Baba Hari Dass would hav you doing 2 to 3 hours of yoga practices a day if you followed his regimen, not very realistic for Americans.

• 4 Jiang

  If you are planning to purchase this book thinking that it somehow relates to a power yoga regime (as I did) you would be mistaken. Although the book shows some very therapeutic poses, it also shows how to “purify ” your nose by using dental floss and how to purge your stomach - not the book I thought it would be. For those fellow fans of power yoga I suggest Birch’s Power Yoga - an excellent book.

• 5 Fink

  This book describes the eight limbs of the Ashtanga Yoga system, also known as Raja Yoga. For the people who look for an Ashtanga Vinyasa book, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, I would recommend Swenson’s Practice Manual or John Scott’s Ashtanga Yoga. As an Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher, especially if you are new to yoga, I would also recommend great caution when doing some asanas as taught in this book. The body alignment is scary. My final word: practice yoga with a qualified yoga teacher first.

• 6 Kraemer

  This is not just another ‘how to do yoga yourself’ book, but a thorough study of both the postures and philosophy of Ashtanga yoga. At a time when almost every well-known teacher has their own ‘brand’ of yoga, Mr. Maehle goes back to the source to both explain the foundation of the practice and the philosophy that supports the physical practice. br /Almost all western practictioners come to yoga as a form of excerise and are unaware of the philosophy from which the physical practice developed. This book covers both in accessable language and explanation. Serious student will want to have this as a resource and serious Ashtangis will find it invaluable along with D. Swenson’s Practice Manual. Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual: An Illustrated Guide to Personal Practice

• 7 Nickovich

  Astanga Yoga Practice and Philosophy is the best book to capture the essence of Astanga Vinyasa Yoga. The descriptions of the asanas in the primary series are excellent, but the strength of the book is in its movement beyond the physical elements of the practice into a discussion of yoga’s purpose through an analysis of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (”Yoga Sutras”). The author’s exposition of the Yoga Sutras will be most helpful to those who have established yoga practices due to reference points that only the practice itself unfolds. br /

• 8 Oakey

  In the western world, yoga is often viewed as a great way to exercise- perfect for flexibility and stress management. It is that. However, in our ignorance, we are only getting part of the benefits of this practice. br /br /True yoga is not only about the physical positions it is also about the philosophy. Without the philosophy, the forms have no context or meaning. Moreover, without this balance, students may actually be causing themselves and their bodies harm. br /br /Ashtanga Yoga is an important resource for anyone who wishes to practice yoga. It blends practice and philosophy together for fuller understanding. Some of the best extras in this book include photographs of each posture, colour illustrations of the muscle groups used in each movement, and line by line interpretation of the Yoga Sutra.

• 9 Reger

  ASHTANGA YOGA: PRACTICE AND PHILOSOPHY is the first of its kind covering all eight limbs of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, and comes from a yogi who describes its history, the basic movements, and posture using photos, written instruction and even anatomical illustrations. Details on myth and philosophy accompany insights on techniques and are accented with black and white photos throughout, making for an excellent pick for any new age collection.

• 10 Noriel

  A really intensive beginning guide for students so that they can improve their yoga through understanding (anatomy, philosphy, spirituality are all included). Well done Gregor.

• 11 Gordon

  A friend recommended this book to me because it has photos of all the postures in all the series of Ashatanga Yoga, laid out in an easy to use format. It also has 35 pages of sound advice and information about the practice. It is a great yoga book and a great ashtanga book.

• 12 Dooley

  If you’re practicing Astanga regularly and learning a lot of new poses, this book is a great resource. I’ve just started 3rd series, and when being given the poses, most of my attention is on doing rather than remembering. This book allows me to review and study the vinyasas at home.br /br /Matthew’s got an amazing practice. I was lucky enough to see some of it during my first of two (thus far) trips to Mysore, India. He knows what he’s talking about.

• 13 Bandy

  I was so excited to get this and when I received it I thought that they must have sent me the wrong thing - it is just like a calendar! It has some very good practical information and visually documents all of the series in the ashtanga practice. However, there are some serious drawbacks including the fact that the pictures are the size of postage stamps, there are no descriptions of how to get into and out of the postures and no information on alignment. Unless you are very familiar with all of the poses in the primary, intermediate, and advanced a and b this book is seriously lacking in this area. The written information is directed toward the beginner/intermediate practitioner and the visual information is for someone well advanced. His practice is lovely but the “book” is not worth the price.

• 14 Jarvis

  I ordered this book on February 17th,2009 and still have not received this book. When I e-mailed marketplace@superbookdeals to find out where my book was they told me it takes 21 business days emphasizing “business days” but not giving me a time frame on when to expect the book. I would not recommend ever ordering from this comapany unless you are someone who enjoys ordering and paying for something that you may or may never receive when you need it.

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