Yoga by the Numbers


Book Description

A fascinating explanation of the significant, often symbolic role that numbers play in yoga philosophy—by beloved yoga teacher and writer Richard Rosen. Numbers play a meaningful role in the philosophy of many spiritual traditions—and yoga is no exception. For example, the number one is the quintessential yoga number, representing “unity” and “wholeness”; number two sometimes stands for co-operative effort, and other times for conflict; and number four is the number of completeness or stability, as it “stands” on “four legs.” There are twelve different names for the mantra OM, each one revealing a different aspect of this root sound. With his distinctive blend of knowledge and humor, Richard Rosen unpacks the fascinating significance that numbers hold in the philosophy and practice of yoga. Stories and practices woven throughout—like the Eka Danta simple meditation exercise, which concentrates on "one pointedness" and is associated with the one tusk of Ganesh—offer readers a hands-on way to explore the importance of numbers in their own practice. Yoga by the Numbers will enlighten and entertain the yogi in your life.




Original Yoga


Book Description

Widely respected yoga teacher and author Richard Rosen draws on ancient yoga encyclopedias to explain how yoga was practiced before it became popular in the West. He compares the three main existing sources known to yoga scholars to describe how complex and rich the practice of yoga once was. It included systematic teachings on personal hygiene, good health, and good relationships, and other practices of yoga that went far beyond just the physical postures. Each section of the book offers a guided practice session of ancient poses and breathing techniques to enable readers to connect to the roots of their yoga and to offer a framework from which to understand the sequences they use in their regular sessions.




The Truth of Yoga


Book Description

A succinct, approachable guide to the origins, development, key texts, concepts, and practices of yoga. Yoga is practiced by many millions of people worldwide and is celebrated for its mental, physical, and spiritual benefits. And yet, as Daniel Simpson reveals in The Truth of Yoga, much of what is said about yoga is misleading. For example, the word “yoga” does not always mean union. In fact, in perhaps the discipline’s most famous text—the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali—its aim is described as separation: isolating consciousness from everything else. And yoga is not five thousand years old, as is commonly claimed; the earliest evidence of practice dates back about twenty-five hundred years. (Yoga may well be older, but no one can prove it.) The Truth of Yoga is a clear, concise, and accessible handbook for the lay reader that draws upon abundant recent scholarship. It outlines these new findings with practitioners in mind, highlighting ways to keep traditions alive in the twenty-first century.




Yoga and the Pursuit of Happiness


Book Description

Enlightenment isn’t a strange, mystical, or faraway place. It’s a fundamental human experience available to us all in different ways and in different moments.Learn how the ancient philosophy of yoga, modern neuroscience, and positive psychology can help you discover your life’s meaning and purpose, rewire your brain, and uncover lasting happiness and joy. Everyone is looking for happiness, but very few really know where to find it. Maybe it’s that house you’ve been dreaming of buying, or a new car, or the perfect relationship? Or maybe it’s a grand, epic revelation about the meaning of life? But when will that revelation come to you, and how long should you wait? And what if happiness isn’t something you achieve or obtain, but how you respond to the conditions of your life? After all, yogis can find peace and joy even when life is painful and unpleasant. In Yoga and the Pursuit of Happiness, you’ll discover that lasting happiness is already at your fingertips—in the small, everyday moments inherently infused with purpose and meaning. The philosophy of yoga—rather than the poses and postures—boils down to one fundamental process: overcoming suffering by coming to know ourselves and aligning our actions with our own intrinsic sense of spiritual purpose. And yoga gives us the tools to address two basic existential questions: Who am I? What should I do? Meanwhile, positive psychology and neuroscience show us how our actions are constantly rewiring our brain in helpful ways—which points to happiness as something we must practice and carry out each day. Happiness is, simply put, something we do. In this unique, lighthearted guide, celebrated yoga instructor Sam Chase blends ancient wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras with his own personal journey of enlightenment to show you how to deepen your understanding of yourself and the world around you, end the cycle of materialism and greed that can get in the way of cultivating stillness of mind, and achieve lasting well-being.




Complete Book of Yoga


Book Description

A complete and easy-to-follow guide to yoga, suitable for all levels of ability; Simple daily exercise plans target different areas of the body, while ailment-based routines provide soothing remedies for many common health complaints; Includes Kama Sutra-inspired positions designed to improve lovemaking techniques; Illustrated with more than 500 colour photographs




Power Yoga For Dummies


Book Description

"Doug Swenson has created a book about Yoga that captures his delightful and unique teaching style." —Karen Allen, actress, Yoga Practitioner "Doug Swenson masterfully presents one of the most physically challenging styles of Hatha Yoga in a way students of any level will find safe, fun, easeful, and empowering." —John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga In just a few years, Yoga has gone from an obscure spiritual discipline practiced by a handful of the "enlightened" in the Far East, to a mainstream exercise routine taught at gyms all across America. Now, at the turn of the new millennium, Yoga has a younger sibling, Power Yoga. A high-energy physical discipline embraced by Sting, Madonna, and thousands of other celebrities, professional athletes, and health advocates, Power Yoga takes the basics of Yoga and gives it a good healthy dose of aerobics to tone all your muscles, sharpen your focus, ease your spirit, and strengthen your heart. Want to pump up your body and gain peace of mind? Power Yoga For Dummies shows you how. Featuring step-by-step instructions, illustrated with photographs that help you see each move clearly, it shows you how to: Improve flexibility, strength, and endurance Develop rock-hard abs, legs, and arms Find an instructor and the right workout gear Customize workouts for all ages and fitness levels Enhance your practice with a partner Beat stress, sharpen your focus, and lift your spirits Power Yoga celebrity Doug Swenson explains the philosophy and science behind Power Yoga. He gets you ready to take the leap into Power Yoga, and he arms you with: Three complete Power Yoga routines—beginning, intermediate and advanced Exercises to improve specific areas, including flexibility, strength, endurance, and specific muscle groups such as your arms, abs, and glutes Expert tips on diet and nutrition for enhancing your practice and improving your overall health Specific postures and exercises that benefit women and seniors A fun and easy guide for both beginners and experienced practitioners alike, this inspirational guide will help you unit a strong, sleek body with a sharp, clear mind.




Props for Yoga


Book Description

Invented by B.K.S Iyengar, props have helped millions of people to realize his vision that "Yoga is for All." Props enable people of any age group and any health condition to enjoy the benefit of asana practice. This book presents classic and innovative uses of props. It provides detailed step by step instructions accompanied by ample photos and tips. Volume I, the first in a series, focuses on Standing Poses.




Is This Yoga?


Book Description

This book provides a rigorously researched, critically comparative introduction to yoga. Is This Yoga? Concepts, Histories, and the Complexities of Contemporary Practice recognizes the importance of contemporary understandings of yoga and, at the same time, provides historical context and complexity to modern and pre-modern definitions of yogic ideas and practices. Approaching yoga as a vast web of concepts, traditions, social interests, and embodied practices, it raises questions of knowledge, identity, and power across time and space, including the dynamics of "East" and "West." The text is divided into three main sections: thematic concepts; histories; and topics in modern practice. This accessible guide is essential reading for undergraduate students approaching the topic for the first time, as well as yoga teachers, teacher training programs, casual and devoted practitioners, and interested non-practitioners.




Yoga Adventure


Book Description

Travel to all seven continents and the oceans, too, with an energetic yoga sequence set to an irresistible original song. Sweet illustrations guide children into more than a dozen yoga poses, some mimicking a distinctive animal from each global region, others paired with modes of transportation to connect them all. Written by a children’s yoga expert, the playful story concludes with step-by-step instructions for each yoga pose and a world map with a fun fact about each animal. Includes audio and animation.




The Student's Manual of Yoga Anatomy


Book Description

The Student's Manual of Yoga Anatomy is the essential guide for anyone looking to understand the importance of doing yoga poses correctly in order to maximize the benefit and avoid pain and injury. With the guidance of Sally Parkes and Joanna Culley, students and instructors glean a simple and clear understanding of the practice of yoga. Work through 50 step-by-step illustrated poses (asanas) that are perfect for working through each section of the body. Including an overview of the musculoskeletal system to explain the body systems and terminology discussed. Then it deeply introduces yoga, looking at the styles of Hatha yoga, movements of the spine and its axis points, how levers change the intensity of each asana, types of muscle activity, and the science of breathing. Full-color anatomical illustrations and clear, concise text of 50 common yoga asanas make the science easy to understand, and allow a deeper understanding of yoga and how it works with the body, allowing readers to easily apply what they learn to their own practice. Clear notes describe the type of muscle activation, plane of movement, axis of the spine, and options for practical modifications to allow for individual ability and injury rehabilitation. You'll also discover a list of sequences to link the asanas together to form a complete workout routine for a healthy lifestyle.