Pranayama the Breath of Yoga


Book Description

In his third book Gregor Maehle aims at bringing about a renaissance of pranayama, the yogic school of breathing. For millennia pranayama was considered to be the quintessential yogic limb, yoga's main motor for spiritual evolution. To show pranayama's importance Maehle supports his findings at every turn with hundreds of quotations from yogic scripture. With unprecedented detail the author shows how pranayama is used to connect posture practice to yogic meditation and why it will accelerate your progress in both. Also covered are: - how pranayama creates health and its use in therapeutic application - mental and spiritual benefits of pranayama - the function of prana and the effects of pranayama - effect of pranayama on brain hemisphericity and balance of the nervous system - purpose of breath retentions and their precise technical application - in depth guidelines for the practice of pranayama - illustrations of the major pranayama and kriya techniques - the use of mantra and digital counting during pranayama - the appropriate diet and postures for pranayama - the importance and use of bandhas and kriyas before and during pranayama - how to set free your breathing pattern through exercising breath waves - descriptions of the classical pranayamas such as Nadi Shodhana, Bhastrika, Surya Bhedana with never before seen detail - how pranayama relates to raising Kundalini - a workable order in which techniques are to be learned and put into sequence with other yogic limbs - pranayama as it relates to the stages of life Gregor Maehle is practising and researching all aspects of yoga since 1982. He lived for several years in India studying with a variety of yogic masters and sadhus. He has previously published Ashtanga Yoga Practice and Philosophy and Ashtanga Yoga The Intermediate Series, which have been translated into several languages.




Yoga for Body, Breath, and Mind


Book Description

A breath-oriented approach for relaxation and well-being. Over 300 illustrations and photographs.




Yoga as Medicine


Book Description

The definitive book of yoga therapy, this groundbreaking work comes to you from the medical editor of the country’s premier yoga magazine, who is both a practicing yogi and a Western-trained physician. Beginning with an overview of the history and science of yoga, Dr. McCall describes the many different techniques in the yoga tool kit; explains what yoga does and who can benefit from it (virtually everyone!); and provides lavishly illustrated and minutely detailed instructions on starting a yoga practice geared to your fitness level and your health status. Yoga as Medicine offers a wealth of practical information, including how to: •Utilize yogic tools, including postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, for both prevention and healing of illness •Master the art of becoming more in tune with your body •Communicate more effectively with your doctor •Adopt therapeutic yoga practices as either an alternative or a complement to surgery and to expensive, sometimes dangerous medications •Practice safely Find an instructor and a style of yoga that are right for you. With twenty chapters devoted to the work of individual master teachers, including such well-known figures as Patricia Walden, John Friend, and Rodney Yee, Yoga as Medicine shows how these experts have applied the wisdom of this ancient holistic practice to twenty different conditions, ranging from arthritis to chronic fatigue, depression, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, infertility, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, and obesity. Defining yoga as “a systematic technology to improve the body, understand the mind, and free the spirit,” Dr. McCall shows the way to a path that can truly alter your life. An indispensable guide for the millions who now practice yoga or would like to begin, as well as for yoga teachers, body workers, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.




B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga The Path to Holistic Health


Book Description

Discover the endless benefits of Iyengar yoga for the mind, body, and spirit with this step-by-step guide. Explore the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga from the renowned B.K.S Iyengar. This enchanting, holistic health guide will become an essential part of your everyday approach towards a happy and healthy life. Inside the pages of this illustrated guide to Iyengar yoga, you’ll discover: • The complete authoritative teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar for mind, body, and holistic health, with easy-to-follow instructions • More than 50 step-by-step yoga sequences, devised by one of the world's leading authorities on hatha yoga • Classic Iyengar poses illustrated with a 360-degree presentation to provide views from all angles Whether you are new to yoga, searching for a starting point, or looking to perfect your technique, learn Iyengar yoga with the world-renowned guru B.K.S Iyengar. This yoga book is an authoritative illustrated guide in which the guru himself guides you through over 55 yoga poses, each illustrated in full color. Iyengar even explains his philosophy throughout the book – it's like having yoga classes with him as your own instructor! This visual guide makes yoga accessible for people of all ages and abilities as part of your path to holistic health and self-care. Work through specially developed yoga sequences to alleviate over 80 ailments, ranging from asthma and arthritis to varicose veins. Whatever your goal in doing yoga, this book might just be exactly what you need to achieve it!




Yogasana and Pranayam


Book Description

The book explains elaborately the basic concept of Yoga, its origin, philosophy and aim, and also the relevance of Yoga in the present world. In fact, Yoga has an answer for every possible ailment/disease that affects the human race, including some of the deadly ones too, such as Cancer, AIDS, etc. Initially, the Yogic saints developed the Yogasanas by referring to animals, birds, trees and other creatures in order to stretch or relax. There are innumerable Yogasanas discussed in the book. Some of the well-known among them are: Surya Namaskar and its different poses, Uttana Padasana (Stretched leg Pose), Pawana Muktasana (Wind Release Pose), Naukasana (Boat Pose), Chakrasana (Wheel Pose), Padmasana (Lotus Pose), Halasana (Plough Pose), etc. Another salient feature of the book is that there are different sections, such as: Management of Common Diseases through Yoga, Pranayama & Yogic Diet, Yoga for Seniors, Yoga for Women, Yoga for Children & Students, Yoga for Managing Stress, etc. However, it is recommended that Yoga should always be practised under the guidance of a trained Yoga Teacher/Practitioner.




Yoga and Pranayama For Health [English Yoga Book]


Book Description

THIS BOOK IS ONLY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE TABLE OF CONTENTS YOGA (Yogasana) 7 HISTORY OF YOGA.. 8 Hatha Yoga. 10 ASANAS. 12 ASANA CATEGORIES. 15 MEDITATIVE ASANAS (3) 17 PADMASANA (MEDITATIVE ASANA 1) 17 VAJRASANA (MEDITATIVE ASANA 2) 24 How to do the Vajrasana pose. 25 How to make the Vajrasana pose more comfortable. 26 Precautions. 26 SWASTIKASANA (MEDITATIVE ASANA 3) 28 STANDING ASANAS (4) 32 TADASANA (STANDING ASANA 1) 32 EKAPADASANA (STANDING ASANA 2) 39 TRIKONASANA (STANDING ASANA 3) 45 What is a Trikonasana?. 45 Benefits of Trikonasana. 45 What are the Steps for Trikonasana?. 46 PADAHASTASANA (STANDING ASANA 4) 49 KNEELING ASANAS (3) 52 USHTRASANA (KNEELING ASANA 1) [Camel Pose] 52 MARJARASANA (KNEELING ASANA 2) 56 What Is Marjariasana or Cat Stretch Pose?. 56 Types of Cat Pose. 57 Health Benefits of Cat Stretch Pose. 57 Step-by-step Guide to Do Cat Stretch Pose. 60 Common Mistakes to Avoid. 61 Easy Modifications for Beginners. 61 Precautions and Contraindications. 62 SHASHANKASANA (KNEELING ASANA 3) 63 What is Shashankasana?. 64 How to Perform Shashankasana Steps?. 67 SITTING ASANAS (6) 68 BHADRASANA (SITTING ASANA 1) [Butterfly Pose] 68 What is Bhadrasana (Butterfly Pose or Gracious Pose)?. 68 SIMHASANA (SITTING ASANA 2) 74 GOWMUKASANA (SITTING ASANA 3) (Gomukasana Cow Pose) 80 How to do Gomukhasana. 80 Beginner’s tip: 81 Benefits of Gomukhasana: 81 Contraindications: 82 VAKRASANA (SITTING ASANA 4) 83 What is Vakrasana?. 83 Top Benefits of Vakrasana. 84 Procedure of Vakrasana. 86 Common Vakrasana Contraindications. 86 Quick Tips for Vakrasana. 87 PARVATASANA (SITTING ASANA 5) [Mountain Pose] 89 PASCHIMOTTANASANA (SITTING ASANA 6) 92 How to do Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward bend) 92 Benefits of Paschimottanasana. 93 PRONE ASANAS (5) 94 BHUJANGASANA (PRONE ASANA 1) [The Cobra Pose] 94 SHALABASANA (PRONE ASANA 2) 103 How to do Shalabhasana. 103 Benefits of the Shalabhasana. 104 DHANURASANA (PRONE ASANA 3) [BOW POSE] 106 Dhanurasana – etymology. 106 Prerequisites for Dhanurasana. 107 How to do Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) 107 Benefits of Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) 108 Contraindications of Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) 109 NAUKASANA (PRONE ASANA 4) 110 How to do Naukasana. 111 Benefits of the Naukasana. 111 MAKARASANA (PRONE ASANA 5) [Crocodile Pose] 114 Crocodile Pose In Yoga (Makrasana) 114 Crocodile pose Steps (First Variation) 115 Crocodile Pose Steps (Second Variation) 115 Crocodile Pose Benefits. 116 Contraindication. 117 SIX SUPINE ASANAS (5) 118 PAVANMUKTASANA (SUPINE ASANA 1) 118 SETHUBHANDASANA (SUPINE ASANA 2) [Bridge Pose] 123 Sanskrit 123 Cautions & Contraindications. 124 How to do Bridge Pose. 125 Beginner tips. 125 Teaching Bridge Pose. 126 MATSYASANA (SUPINE ASANA 3) [The Fish Pose] 129 What is Matsyasana Yoga (Fish Pose)?. 129 UTHITAPADAHASTASANA (SUPINE ASANA 4) [Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose] 133 Meaning. 133 Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana Practice Guide. 134 How to Do Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana. 135 Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana Benefits. 137 HALASANA (SUPINE ASANA 5) [The Plough/Plow Pose] 139 What is Halasana?. 139 What are the benefits of Halasana?. 139 How to perform Halasana. 140 Precautions and common mistakes. 142 SHAVASANA (SUPINE ASANA 6) [The Corpse Pose] 144 How to do Savasana (Corpse Pose) 144 Benefits of Savasana. 145 Contraindications. 145 TWO INVERTED ASANA (2) 146 SARVANGASANA (INVERTED ASANA 1) 146 How to do Sarvangasana.. 146 Benefits of Sarvangasana.. 147 Contraindications. 148 SIRASASANA (INVERTED ASANA 2) [HEAD STAND POSE] 150 Steps of Sirsasana. 150 Preparatory poses associated with Sirsasana. 152 Follow up poses. 153 Performing Tips. 153 The science of Sirsasana. 153 Benefits of Sirsasana. 153 Precautions and contraindications associated with Sirsasana. 155 SURYA NAMASKAR.. 156 PRANAYAMA.. 170 What exactly is pranayama?. 172 What are the benefits according to science?. 175 1. Decreases stress. 175 2. Improves sleep quality. 175 3. Increases mindfulness. 175 4. Reduces high blood pressure. 175 5. Improves lung function. 175 6. Enhances cognitive performance. 175 7. Reduces cigarette cravings. 175 Summary. 175 YOGA (Yogasana) Everyone knows what yoga is but their understanding is mostly limited to physical postures, known as Asanas. But does yoga means physical poses? To find the answer we need to understand the definitions of yoga in the ancient texts. These ancient texts are giving a powerful message of yoga which is much deeper than what we understand. Yoga is a word from Sanskrit language which means join, 2 or more things are needed to join. And when 2 or more objects are joined, then it becomes one object. There is connection and harmony between 2 objects which have become one. So yoga is all about oneness, experience of oneness, feeling of harmony. Ashtanga yoga - In Yoga Sutras, Patanjali defines yoga as “Yogah Chitta Vritti Nirodhah” - Chitt – mind, Vritti – functioning of mind, Nirodha –control Yoga is to control the functioning of the mind. We have our thoughts, emotions, feelings and conditionings in the mind. It is very difficult to control. Yoga is the technique to control all these functions of the mind.




Pranayama


Book Description




Yogic Pranayama


Book Description

The book is a complete one of its kind books on Pranayama, an important, yet little known part of Yoga. Breathing exercises are called Pranayamas, which means to control the Prana. Its techniques have been practiced for centuries by ardent students of Yoga in remote ashrams. Pranayama is a very important means for preventing and curing many ailments. By far the most important thing about good breathing is the Prana, or subtle energy of the vital breath. Control of the Prana leads to control of the mind. The aim of this book is to bring the traditional knowledge of this great art to the common man. It is hoped that by reading this book the reader will be well equipped to keep diseases at bay by using the age-old techniques of Pranayama. Pranayama, the control of the breath, essentially entails the modification of our normal process of breathing. This book is an exhaustive look into the art of breathing. It is complete, detailed and technical. Yogic Pranayama is one of the most exhaustive, yet understandable book on breath, the physiology of breath, and the effects of proper breathing on the human organism written. The drawings and diagrams in the book are precise, simple and easy to understand.




The Woman's Yoga Book


Book Description

Presented by a leading yoga teacher, this unique yoga program aligns with your monthly cycle to promote optimal menstrual health Senior Iyengar Yoga teacher Bobby Clennell brings decades of yoga study and teaching experience to The Woman’s Yoga Book. She offers a comprehensive program of asana (yoga poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises) designed to support menstrual health from menarche to menopause, along with nutritional and lifestyle information for those times off the yoga mat. Yoga sequences are given for each phase of the menstrual cycle: • premenstrual: poses to stabilize • menstruation: poses to restore • postmenstrual: poses to rebalance • on through to ovulation: poses to strengthen In addition, The Woman’s Yoga Book offers sequences for: • PMS, irritability, tension, and moodswings • migraine headaches • bloating and breast tenderness • insomnia • cramps and lower back pain • heavy bleeding • scanty periods • absence of menstruation • irregular periods A former professional animator, Bobby has used her skill in rendering over 700 illustrations that teach right along with her text. Best of all, she encourages women to embrace the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being that comes from practicing women’s yoga. Begin the journey—now!




The Little Book of Yoga Breathing


Book Description

The Little Book of Yoga Breathing is a great little package that offers a lot. Pranayama, the practice of breath control, is detailed here in an easy-to-understand and even easier-to-practice format. Professional yoga instructor, Scott Shaw introduces 16 breathing exercises and how to get the best benefit from each of the forms by training, refining, and witnessing your breath. This book is for yoga practitioners and those who only consider themselves yoga admirers. Having trouble falling asleep? Try one of the calming breaths, Nadi Sudi, or the Nerve Purifying Breath. Have a long day ahead with no breaks until after dinner? Allow Ujjayi or the Hissing Breath to work its miracles. Also learn the Pranayama term in Sanskrit, how to pronounce it, what it means in English, and how to properly execute the breath to get the best results. And learn how to breathe while moving, standing, and leaning, and how each of these variations can affect your breathing practice.