Kakaku：995 saved$9.95
Resurrection Press
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Opening the door for Christians to a spiritual practice of unimaginable richness) 『Opening the door for Christians to a spiritual practice of unimaginable richness
Hatha yoga, once the exclusive cultural property of an isolated ethic enclave, has today encircled the globe. But although yoga is phenomenally popular in the West as a source of spiritual and physical well being, few Christians know that it is also a unique way to worship God through the ancient disciplines of body-centered prayer.
This is surprising given that the Christian tradition is one whose central mysteries are that of the Incarnation - the embodiment of the Divine - and of the Resurrection - the transcending of the body's end. These body centered mysteries come with two facets: from the Creator's perspective, that of 'kenosis,' the self-emptying of the Divine into human flesh, and from the perspective of the creature, that of 'theosis,' the process of transcending the bounds of its flesh-enshrouded vehicle to become more Godly. Hatha yoga is an instrument for accomplishing the latter.
Anthony Randazzo, a Roman Catholic priest and student of yoga and Madelana Ferrara-Mattheis, a yoga teacher and educator, offer an introduction to the practice of yoga as a Christian discipline of prayer, told in engaging, delightful language and helpfully illustrated by color photographs useful to both experienced practitioners as well as to newcomers to yoga. But the authors' conversational, storytelling style and the size of 'Beatitudes, Christ and the Practice of Yoga' (108 pages) are deceptive: this is by no means a 'little book.' It is, rather, a manual for achieving spiritual and bodily balance in narrative form whose words must be both read as well as practiced to resonate.
This book is ideal for beginners as well as more advanced practitioners who wish to incorporate hatha yoga into their life of daily prayer and to integrate yogic principles into their devotional praxis. It is also extremely worthwhile reading for Yoga teachers with Christians as students and for those Christians who are wholly unfamiliar with hatha yoga, opening the door to a spiritual practice of unimagined richness and reward.』
Kakaku：2000 saved$20.00
Angel Bear Yoga
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (A Wonderful Introduction to Yoga for Young Children) 『Although the Angel Bear Yoga program does not use traditional names for poses et cetera, it's theme of positive character traits really has preschoolers interested. My three year old LOVES it, and she talks about all of the traits and poses she learns with everyone in the family. She likes to "define" them as well. I think it empowers her as well as fostering creativity, relaxation, and appreciation of nature.
The Card Deck is an excellent starting point, but the Main Lesson Book, Companion book, and DVD are wonderful tools for teachers to extend the lessons in other areas of learning.』
(A Mom's Choice Awards Recipient!) 『The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven ChickenSoup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This product has been honored by this distinguished award.』
(Yoga Pretzels is Better) 『I ordered this yoga card deck with the intention of using it with my three year old who loves the books "My Daddy is a Yoga Pretzel," "Little Yoga," and "Sleepy Little Yoga." We also use YogaKids together. I thought that she would like these cards because she enjoys animals, but the pictures are not as clear as in the books we use. Angel Bear's wings, which you can see from the product picture, distract from the poses. Also, though I initially thought my daughter would enjoy doing yoga with a bear, I think it's better for her to see pictures or illustrations of kids or grown-ups. She's only three, but she already realizes that animals' bodies are different from hers. Another thing to consider: this deck does not use any of the names for poses that you'd normally learn in yoga class or from a book. Each pose is renamed with a character trait like, "optimism," "creativity," "abundance." I think that could be confusing if you want your child to engage in yoga practice from other sources. I'd recommend the Yoga Pretzels deck over this one.』 『The Angel Bear Yoga play deck is designed to promote exercise and movement into children's lives while allowing them to physically embody 50 positive character traits! It's self-improvement at the turn of a card. These beautifully illustrated cards are easy to use in just minutes a day. Unlike other yoga, we introduce strong repetitive physical movements to help focus kids on character and its value. Parents and teachers benefit by getting to do yoga while teaching children positive lessons that will make their lives easier. Classrooms and homes can be more harmonious and peaceful when yoga is introduced. The Angel Bear Yoga Play Deck promotes saving the environment and nature appreciation with reflection on positive character found in nature. Fun activities and colorful characters on the cards help keep children's interests so they'll want to play again and again!』
Kakaku：1095 saved$10.95
Temple of Kriya Yoga
In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served. IPhone 3G used's review (Superb, lucid sketch of yogic terminology) 『Do you think that a "dictionary" of Sanskrit must needs be a heavy and scholarly read? I thought so too, but I was so, so wrong! This brief exegesis of Hindu spiritual terminology--focusing on the language of Yoga-Sankhya-Vedanta--is a light, easy, and incredibly informative read. (You will find there is no Devanagari script here--the words are all transliterated phonetically into English. The emphasis is not on linguistics but on understanding the concepts behind the words.) When I dipped in, I found it was so alluring, that I promptly read it straight through from cover to cover, and that with casual ease over a few days. This is the first time I have **ever** found a "reference" book on any subject that could be read consecutively from beginning to end, and that most advantageously. Not only that, but the concepts, which could easily be buried under a veil of occultic-cum-spiritual jargon, or layers of linguistic niceties are, on the contrary, rendered with the most dazzling simplicity and clarity, in a way directly accessible to an intelligent, modern seeker. The author seems to possess not only a deep mastery of the range of Hindu spiritual thought pertaining to Yoga, but a gift of rendering it as clear as day for others. Reading this book was as pleasant as taking a walk in the park on a fresh Spring day. An amazing small gem of a book!』 『In thisYoga Dictionary of Basic Sanskrit Terms, Goswmi Kriyananda has taken a further step to include some major English mystical terms. He feels this basic dictionary will help the student to gain a deeper understanding of yoga, meeting the needs of the contemporary student as well as being helpful to the general reader of yoga literature. He has taken the liberty of dividing the sanskrit terms to make it easier for the student to pronounce them.』
Kakaku：209 saved$2.09
Shambhala
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Outstanding Book) 『This book has been very helpful for me. It offers a great introduction to what a woman goes through every month and the yoga poses are focused on addressing specific needs such as pms, amenorrhea, and endometriosis. Some of the poses do require props such as a chair or a bolster and some of the poses are not recommended during certain times or if you suffer from back or neck problems. Each pose has pictures and explains how to go into the pose and what it is beneficial for. It also tells you when a pose is not recommended. The poses are divided up into specific sequences so there is some overlap. I highly recommend this book for anyone who suffers from painful cycles and is interested in yoga.』 『This book offers a complete program of yoga poses designed for menstrual health, new medical information on diet and lifestyle, and instruction on meditation and breathing techniques that relieve common symptoms experienced by many women, including: Premenstrual syndrome; Menstrual cramps; Heavy periods; Bloating and pain from uterine fibroids; Pain from endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Great Introduction to Yoga) 『This is one of the best books I've encountered for the philosophy of yoga, its mental and physical benefits, as well as a solid plan for starting yoga.
Singh does a great job presenting the fundamentals so that beginners and experts can benefit.
I'm very happy with this book and recommend it often. It has made a positive difference in my life and others.』
Kakaku：5995 saved$59.95
Life Mission Publications
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Yoga and more...) 『First of all, there is already a HUGE review for this book&I agree with all of that. But here's where I add my opinion: This is a no-nonsense book written almost like a text / reference book. So if you are looking for a easy reading book, this is not it. On the other hand, if you are looking for a book that guides you as a serious Yoga student, then you are on right track. Go ahead and get it - You won't find another book like this.
The book is divided into many sections and the Asanas are grouped into various stages. This is done to allow each student to master each individual group separately and then progress to the next level. The yoga institute (in India) that he (the author) has reshaped follows the same approach. They teach you a set of asanas and theory behind those asana and let you master those. Once you pass the test on the asanas, you are allowed to go to the next level. This book follows similar structure however, it does not talk about mastering each stage before moving onto the next one. Along with each asana, the book describes the benefits of each asana as well as pitfalls. (Note that the Lotus position, very well known for meditation, should not be practiced for a long time without a guru's guidance. i.e. Don't use it for meditation if your sessions are beyond 5-minute range.)
The preliminary chapters talk about the 8 parts of yoga (Ashtanga Yoga) and what is necessary to get one out of the "Maya" of this world, out of the business of building bad karma. The author states that this is important for one's progress through yoga. One of the important aspects that Swami Rajarshi Muni has stressed on is "Mitahar" or eat sufficient and only as much as is needed for the body - no more.
All the talk about Khechari Mudra with that Huge Review is well described in the book. The Khechari Mudra is the ultimate mudra for a Yogi through which the "Divine Body" can be achieved. The author's other book: "Divine body through Yoga", talks about what the "Divine body" is and reasons why it must be possible. It is the ultimate goal for a Yogi. The author is the first one to talk about "Divine Body" with the intent of making it known to everyone outside of India and outside of those few reading sanskrit scriptures. It is another companion book you want to read to understand the "Divine Body" and why it should be an ultimate goal.
Another book also from the same author is "Infinite Grace", a must read if you want to know the path the author's Guru took and how the guru initiates Swami Rajarshi Muni into the next stage of yoga. This book would tell you what it takes to be a disciple in this lineage and what it means to be one.』
(Classical Hatha Yoga - A WONDERFUL RESOURCE for the sincere yoga practitioner) 『Firstly, I'd like to say that this book is very nicely produced, with glossy heavyweight paper, clear printing of both text and colour plates, and an overall very substantial feel to the book. Occasionally, I have purchased books published in India, which are a little lacking in physical quality (though the content they conveyed was nonetheless excellent). Fortunately, I am happy to report that 'Classical Hatha Yoga' suffers no such shortcomings, materially-speaking, and gets two thumbs up, being well worth the asking price.
In terms of the content conveyed within, I am most impressed by this book. For example, the section discussing the fabled, and apparently oft-misunderstood, 'Khechari Mudra', is downright ASTONISHING. NEVER before have I encountered a text that is so incredibly incisive and authoritative about this practice (not even BSY/YPT books, for which I have enormous respect). Though I would not presume to be fortunate enough to ever achieve such an advanced state in my humble lifetime, simply having so many misconceptions about the practice stripped away and replaced with a clear understanding (intellectually-confined, of course) has made this book worth several times its asking price, as far as this reader is concerned.
You'll have to read this section for yourself (I am not doing you a disservice by suggesting you buy the book rather than have me tell you for free, in this review - quite the contrary, I think when you have it in your own hands, you'll silently thank me for urging you to buy it. I am extremely confident that you will NOT regret making the investment). All I will say is that the author cuts straight to the heart of the matter, utterly-unflinchingly, and, having read more than a few well-respected texts encompassing the topic of khechari mudra, I was very pleasantly surprised at Swami Rajarshi Muni's detailed discussion and dissolution of many widely-propogated misconceptions on the matter. In fact, the anatomical details provided in this discussion, in specific relation to this yogic practice, have NEVER, so far as I am aware, been put into generally-available print, at ANY point in time. EVER. I studied the fundamentals of human neuropsychology and neuroanatomy as part of my psych degree, some years ago, and consequently I really appreciate the manner in which Swami Rajarshi Muni cuts through the nonsense and provides exact details of the structures involved and the means by which they are engaged during the mudra, yet managing to do so in such a manner that the vast majority of readers, regardless of educational background, would be able to broadly comprehend his explanation (though, owing to the forthrightness of the discussion, readers of a frail constitution would do well to sit or lie down before reading!). No dancing around the issue, no vague references to 'Eating Beef' (see 'Hatha Yoga Pradipika', 'Kriya Yoga: Its Mystery and Performing Art' by Swami Sadhanananda Giri, or any of several other books discussing khechari mudra in Traditional terms, otherwise-excellent though these books may be) etc. - just cold hard facts (the icing on the cake would have been for the author to include a clear anatomical diagram, but this is a small criticism and readers can access Harvard's on-line model of the human brain, for free - searching for, amongst other structures, the 'Sphenoid Sinus' - med.harvard.edu). Incidentally, if you're simply thinking 'nasal or sinus cavities', then you don't have anywhere near the whole story.
Furthermore, the comparison between 'spontaneous' and 'artificial' means of approaching Khechari Mudra is thoroughly illuminating (actually, on this point, Swami Rajarshi even appears to disagree with the discussion of Khechari Mudra in the BSY/YPT books, which really did come as a surprise to me) and the precise anatomical explanation has FINALLY enabled me to understand how amrit (nectar) from the pituitary gland can, in a very real manner, flow, as a consequence of influence by the tongue. Prior to reading 'Classical Hatha Yoga', I could find no way to reconcile what I'd read of amrit in the yogic texts, with my understanding of anatomy and neuroanatomy - the two standpoints just didn't 'fit' with each other into a coherent and logical process, so couched in vague analogies, 'smoke&mirrors' and lack of actual first-hand experience on the part of modern-day interpreters, were the numerous discussions of khechari mudra. I began to wonder whether the flow of amrit was actually real at all, or just some nebulous reference to an entirely-spiritual, rather than physical process. Not only has Swami Rajarshi made logical sense of my bewilderment, but, in so doing, he has made an esoteric aspect of Hatha yoga that bit less mythical and that bit more tangible. Whether or not I will ever reach such lofty heights as to experience full khechari mudra in this lifetime is not all that matters - every bit as important is simply the fact that one's inclination to pursue yoga as a viable path of spiritual unfoldment is dependent, to a considerable extent (and certainly, in the absence of a guru), on whether one holds to be true what is expounded in the literature on the subject - if one loses faith in the truth of what is written about yogic practices, then how is one to wholeheartedly pursue such a path? Let's face it, the closer certain yogic principles get to the realm of myth, the less one is inclined to believe in their reality or consequently to seek to pursue them in practice.
It is only fair to acknowledge that the author is at pains to point out that "Although the ancient yogis kept the real technique of khechari mudra a highly guarded secret, this author humbly ventures to disclose some of the details. The comments...are based on actual personal experience with the spontaneous manifestation of khechari mudra. The intention here is neither to violate the traditional code of secrecy nor to gain personal recognition. It is only to acquaint the reader with the difference between artificial and spontaneous, or true, khechari mudra."
Swami Rajarshi also responsibly cautions that "In the Yoga Kundali Upanishad it is advised : 'One should practice Khechari Mudra step by step, and not all at once. Whosoeverpractices this mudra with haste shall meet with destruction of his body' (II: 39). That aspirant is cautioned not to pick up threads of this narrative, or of any other, and try to artificially manipulate the muscles and bones described here in a zealous attempt to find the door to liberation. In all probability, such an attempt will prove fatal. Therefore, a genuine seeker is advised to learn the true spontaneous technique...from an experienced Guru or spiritual master."
However, despite the above words of caution, I note that perhaps the one thing that is missing from Swami Rajarshi's discussion of the topic is the mundane but (for householder sadhakas, at least) important issue of the practical side effects of severing the frenulum. Swami Niranjanananda points out, in his YPT book 'Yoga Darshan', that the normal processes of swallowing and speech are (irreversibly) negatively impacted as a direct consequence of severing the frenulum - i.e. the tongue becomes more difficult to control. Whether this would be less of an issue if severance occurs during early teenage years, when the brain retains a higher degree of neuroplasticity and thus, potentially, a greater ability to lay down neural pathways to compensate, I do not know for certain. (For example, with regard to language abilities - see Noam Chomsky, Eric Lenneberg etc. on 'critical period' theory of language acquisition, although their focus is primarily on cognitive aspects of language rather thanmotor skills of the tongue etc., the point here is that neuroplasticity of certain areas of the brain does appear to decline as adulthood is reached). Lest this sounds too tenuous, I should point out that Swami Muktibodhananda, in her commentary on Khechari Mudra, in 'Hatha Yoga Pradipika', does note that manual severence of the frenulum "is taught from an early age, twelve to sixteen years, during the period when the body is still developing". A further consideration is that Niranjanananda's and Muktibodhananda's discussions refer to artificial severence of the frenulum and it is just possible that there are subtle hidden factors that result in a different outcome for language and swallowing when the frenulum has been severed spontaneously, which might account for Swami Rajarshi's decision not to mention any such side-issues. In truth, though, I suspect the decision is probably more a reflection of his single-minded pursual of yoga for its true spiritual purpose; all practical, worldly, considerations thus being viewed as of distinctly secondary importance. If this is the case, it is quite understandable, since the claimed benefits of khechari mudra are so incredible as to make the tradeoff, remarkably, well worthwhile, if one seeks true Yoga (union). Personally, I am now acutely conscious of Swami Rajarshi's firm assertion that khechari mudra can (and, he claims, should) occur spontaneously. I say acutely conscious because now that I know it can occur spontaneously, this raises PROFOUND philosophical questions. If one considers the negative side effects as justification for arguing that khechari mudra must be unnatural and, in effect, a perversion of normal human anatomical processes, then WHY can it occur spontaneously? Furthermore, if you read the truly mind-blowing explanation of the neuroanatomical basis for the flow of amrit, you will find it is so utterly astonishing that it seems, to me at least, that there was DEFINITELY some kind of deliberate implementation of this potential in the design of human anatomy, by whatever intelligent power lies behind the existence of the world as we know it. The implications of khechari mudra, from a physiological and neuroanatomical standpoint, are just too far-reaching and profound for the spontaneity and complexity of the process to be a simple coincidence. Even if you are a staunch atheist, I assure you this books discussion of this topic is going to trigger some major cognitive dissonance in your life!
Whatever the case, my enthusiasm for Swami Rajarshi's discussion of khechari mudra is in no way intended to undermine his humble sentiments. However, from the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank Swami Rajarshi for having the courage and the generosity to honestly and frankly share his rarer-than-rare insight on the topic. I believe his decision to openly discuss the true facts behind this mudra was unquestionably the right thing to do. In an era when we are witnessing an explosion of interest in yoga in the western world, involving literally millions of people, it is obvious that even a very small percentage desiring to follow a yogic path at a deeper, spiritual level, will amount to several thousand. It is important, therefore, for the yoga tradition to offer sincere aspirants accurate information, particularly since there are simply not enough true gurus to cater for so many aspirants, in the traditional guru-disciple training model. Secrecy has its place, and is all very well, but times are changing - even Krishnamacharya came to accept this fact. Yoga must remain accessible for those who earnestly desire to practice it. If secrecy results in rampant and widespread misinformation, without the correction, one-on-one, of a guru, then it is questionable if this serves the yoga tradition, or it's sincere followers, in the longrun. It's bad enough that the commercialism accompanying yoga's transition to the West has seen such a deplorable dilution of its true ideals. Consequently, I believe the few texts written by contemporary masters need to be courageous in the depth of their content in order to assist sincere Western aspirants in adhering to an accurate path.
I am very happy that the Bihar School of Yoga sees things similarly - in particular, their incredible book 'A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya' represents a very courageous break from the tradition of secrecy, owing to the fact that it openly and lucidly explains many Kriyas with the explicit intention of enabling aspirants without the luxury of a guru, to make at least some inroads into Kriya practice (though it is envisioned that as one progresses towards the latter stages of the book, one will then redouble one's efforts to obtain the guidance of a qualified guru).
Personally, I feel that Swami Rajarshi's discussion of khechari mudra alone; these few pages, justify the purchase price of the book, in themselves - they have potentially averted me from decades of misapprehension regarding khechari mudra - what price can one put on that?
Regarding the book as a whole, I feel that it is extremely well laid out and offers the reader rare clarity on the complexities of hatha yoga.
I have read yoga books by many authors, some favourites including those by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Swami Vishnu Devananda, and Erich Schiffmann, to name just a very few, but the manner in which Swami Rajarshi Muni has written this book - SO frankly, SO lucidly, SO powerfully and authentically...just leaves me daydreaming, wishing the impossible - that, in this lifetime, I could, through some divine intervention, somehow come to be a disciple of his. The only other author I have read who inspires such yearnings in me is Swami Satyananda. Swami Rajarshi seems to communicate through the written form in a manner which is disarmingly forthright, sincere, and 'tangible', in the best possible sense. It's as though he is not just talking to the reader - it's almost as though he is sat face-to-face with the reader and absolutely 100% wishes to impart FULL understanding of a topic (not 95%) - as though he treats the reader as an equal, not as a 'subordinate'. One feels almost as though the author is conveying the material as a friend rather than as an 'authority figure'. And yet...he accomplishes this without being verbose, and manages to convey his meaning in a tangible way that almost transcends the limitations of the written word. Quite extraordinary, and a rare gift.
I urge those of you who are SERIOUS about yoga (not the dumbed-down, commercialised, 'body-sculpting' ego-driven facsimile, oft-propounded in the West) to go ahead and obtain this book. It's in the top 5% of the books I've encountered on the subject of Hatha yoga. Also, for those of you who are still unsure, let me make it clear that the emphasis of this book, despite it's exhaustive discussion on physical asanas, is not on asanas for asanas sake - it is on asanas, pranayama, mudra, bandha, shatkriyas etc. (see the contents pages using the 'search inside' function, above), *for the purposes of progressing along a path of spiritual unfoldment* - the true aim of traditional yoga. Therefore, this book is the real thing, not to be confused with the hundreds of asana books on the market which frequently have no clue as to the true purpose of yoga sadhana. This book is also very comprehensive with an absolute abundance of clear photographs accompanying the text, throughout. I also like the decision to render the text more readable by providing translation of terms directly within the text rather than expecting readers to continually refer to a glossary, as is common in BSY books, for example. That being said, I recommend that anyone considering buying this book also avail themselves of some BSY books, in due course, as the style of this book, and that of the outstanding BSY books, compliment each other exceedingly well. For example, comprehensive though this book is, Shankhaprakshalana (Varisara Dhauti) is described in a less detailed fashion than in the BSY books. Here, one is instructed to drink the saline water and to massage the abdomen and generally move the torso to loosen intestinal debris. However, BSY books such as 'Yoga for the Digestive System', 'Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha',&'Hatha Yoga Pradipika' discuss the practice in more detail, recommending a specific sequence of five asanas to achieve a thorough loosening of intestinal debris. Whether this is a sequence devised in modern times by the BSY I do not know and, to be fair to Swami Rajarshi, I note that Dharma Mittra, another of my favourite classical-style yoga teachers, is similarly brief in his description of how best to loosen intestinal debris, in his discourses on the excellent PranaMaya 'Maha Sadhana Level 1' DVD. Either way, 'Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha'&'Hatha Yoga Pradipika' make superb companions to each other, and to 'Classical Hatha Yoga', on a number of levels, yielding more than the sum of their respective parts, so I recommend all three of them. Also, for those of you familiar with Erich Schiffman's book, note that the description of the practical aspects of getting into the various asanas is of a similar flavour, though Erich does not describe so many and does not go into depth about subtle effects.
If you are interested in 'Power Yoga' or other Westernised facsimiles of yoga, then you would still learn much from this book but do please bear in mind that that is not its specifically-intended audience. You would be doing this masterful book an extreme disservice if you are only interested in Westernised yoga and concluded that this book is somehow flawed because it does not (directly, at least) fulfil that criteria - it isn't meant to! However, many people who take to yoga in the West, initially only wishing to gain health or physique benefits, do find an increasing peace of mind and inclination to explore the more spiritual aspects of yoga, as time goes on. If this sounds like you, then this book would actually make a superb stepping stone for you, not least because of its continual appraisal on the subtle effects of the myriad asanas. It is stunningly-clear in its presentation and is written in plain English with no intellectual overtones.
Also, potential purchasers, please note - the asanas in this book involve no props of any kind. Some may find Iyengar's creative approach to yoga, incorporating the use of props (see also Rodney Yee's 'Moving Toward Balance'), to be beneficial, and it certainly has its place. However, others find props an unecessary complication for an otherwise 'pure' practise involving just one's own body and the ground upon which gravity places it. Each approach has its followers. This book caters for those wishing to practice yoga without props, just as it has been throughout the ages.
A particularly rare and valuable inclusion in the extremely clear and concise descriptions of the several hundred asanas is the 'Subtle Effects' section at the end of each group. These provide rare insight into the potential for certain asanas to specifically stimulate movement of prana, for example. Very useful.
Despite all the wonderful plus points of this book, I must admit that one thing I did find a little strange was the apparent lack of a section providing guidance on structuring asana sequences. The asanas are described superbly and in exhaustive number, but I could not see any guidance on how one should go about designing one's own practice sessions from the plethora of available asanas. Although this is insufficient to undermine my general enthusiasm for the book, I nonetheless find it to be a curious ommision from an author otherwise exhibiting such thoroughness and diligence.
Satyananda's aforementioned 'Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha' offers guidance on sequencing and counterposes etc. which is another good reason to obtain it as a companion book (also see T. K. V. Desikachar's 'The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice'). Notably, however, while Swami Rajarshi Muni offers several hundred poses, in 75 groups, Satyananda's Bihar School of Yoga considers a rather narrower range of 84 poses to offer ideal benefit (a sentiment shared by Bishnu Ghosh's school, whose approach was popularised in Tony Sanchez's 'Yoga Challenge 1-4' DVDs). That is not to say that either a narrower or a broader range of poses is superior, and one would do well to keep in mind that Swami Rajarshi is presenting poses with their subtle effects as much to the fore as their gross physical effects, which might explain his preference for exploring a greater number of options; I simply mention this to highlight that Swami Rajarshi's several hundred poses, without guidance on sequencing, might prove rather daunting to some readers. Whether this proves to be the case very much depends on the individual, so this need not necessarily be an issue but should be borne in mind by potential purchasers. Advice is, at least, given, with regard to which of the several hundred poses are best suited to Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced students.
In summary, this book has much to offer, and, potentially, to a very wide audience. However, it should be purchased with the understanding that although it offers much, and could thus BENEFIT a wide audience, it is PRIMARILY AIMED at yoga enthusiasts who embrace the purer, more traditional path of yoga, encompassing not only physical asanas etc., but also the other aspects of yoga, not least spiritual ideals. It should therefore be appraised on that basis, not from a more narrow Westernised viewpoint. Further, it caters for both experienced and novice yogis / yoginis, in so much that it offers beginners a grounding in Hatha yoga which truly could not be any clearer unless one had a flesh-and-blood instructor in the same room. More experienced readers will know much of the fundamentals discussed in the earlier chapters, yet will find a powerful resource in the form of the 'subtle effects' sections of the various asana groups, and will thoroughly enjoy the mudra section which brings an astonishing level of clarity to some of the utmost esoteric yogic practices.
I believe the publisher does this book a great disservice in asserting that "This is the only book on yoga the practitioner or teacher will ever need". To say nothing of the fact that this statement is self-evidently incorrect (since when is a book dedicated specifically to *Hatha* yoga deemed to automatically cover all other aspects of yogic practice? The yoga tradition is huge. Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, anyone?). I therefore vehemently dispute their assertion as rather presumptuous and misleading hyperbole. Such rediculous claims aside, I nonetheless respect the book itself enormously and acknowledge that it definitely IS a reference book of rare stature. It is the most encyclopaedic, yet accessible, work on the *practicalities* of *Hatha* asana that I have seen (if you prefer to work non-traditionally, using props, see Iyengar's 'Yoga: The Path To Holistic Health'). 'Classical Hatha Yoga' deserves to remain in print for many a decade and if I was forced to take only three yoga books with me, this would probably be one of them (as would Satyananda's masterpiece 'A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya').
'Classical Hatha Yoga' does not stand alone as a reference source but it does stand head and shoulders above the crowd. My advice is to go ahead and buy it, and while you're at it, place a couple of BSY/YPT books in the shopping cart at the same time. They will support each other superbly.』 『This is the only book on yoga the practitioner or teacher will ever need. It is the most comprehensive book ever written on the subject of yoga as it is written by a most highly advanced Yogi whose personal practice is authenticated by the scriptures and all known classics. The annals of spiritual literature will long remain embellished by this truly extraordinary work. For clarity of presentation the book is presented in two parts. The first part consists of fourteen chapters. It is concerned with the constituents, theory and techniques of classical Hatha Yoga. The coverage proceeds systematically through the eight limbs of Ashtang Yoga through its well known three stages. The first stage is Yam and Niyam (rules of moral codes of conduct and rules of self discipline). Next are the three constituents of Hatha Yoga, namely: Asan (postures); Pranayam (breath Control); and Pratyahar (withdrawal of the mind from the senses). Then the third stage, the three constituents of Raja Yoga: Dharana (the practice of mental focusing); Dyan (the practice of meditation); and Samadhi (the state of superconsciousness). The sequential order thus proceeds from asan , shatkriyas and bandhs to pranayam, kundalini, mudra and pratyahar and finally to dharana, dhyan and samadhi. Three chapters are devoted to pranayam and nadi shuddi, four to the very little known and esoteric areas of yoga practice, the mudras . There is an illuminating chapter on the kundalini. The second part of the book is exclusively devoted to asans or yogic postures. It consists of profusely illustrated text arranged in a standardized format laying out the techniques of execution of some 550 yoga postures, the individual postures grouped into 76 groups. 777 color photo illustrations support the textual instructions. Every posture is dealt with in a detailed, step by step technique, in each case accompanied by the appropriate regimen for breathing. Advice is given in each group as to the postures to be practiced at three levels, beginners, intermediate and advanced. The physical therapeutic and subtle benefits of each group are given. Anything of particular note in relation to any given asan is also recorded. The fact that is never lost sight of is that at the heart of it, yoga is a spiritual discipline and practice has to do more with the spiritual towards which the body and mind are but essential stepping stones. Throughout, the work is firmly anchored in its spiritual moorings and the practitioner is constantly kept aware of the nature and ultimate goal of his or her practice and of its fruits. All in all, this is the most exhaustive book ever on this subject. Its range and span are unprecedented. It covers the full gamut of yoga as delineated by the ancient texts. Perhaps no work of any known time represents over 500 yoga postures. These are only a selection from the prolific plentitude of postures that have manifested spontaneously in the course of the author s yoga sadhana and represent a lofty spiritual achievement. None but a truly accomplished practitioner knows this uncharted territory. The mudra is a product of spontaneous yoga and is seldom ever mentioned let alone taught, and some among these are the pinnacles of yoga practice. The reader will find here what has never before been revealed by a realized master in such depth and detail the secrets of the kundalini and the great liberating mudras. His revelations of the khechari mudra must rank as unprecedented and unique. All that the world has known about it can only be read in the Scriptures and ancient yoga texts. But this author has attained the khechari mudra. This book is an absolute must read for anyone seriously interested in yoga.』
Kakaku：480 saved$4.80
Fireside
Usually ships in 24 hours 『
Realize the Power and Eternity of Every Moment
"Meditation is a continuous flow of perception or thought like the flow of water in a river."
SWAMI VISHNU-DEVANANDA
An integral part of all forms of yoga, meditation is an important key to achieving peace of mind in our increasingly chaotic lives, with regular practice enhancing mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.The Sivananda Companion to Meditationoutlines a simple step-by-step guide to the practice of meditation and shows you how to make it a part of your everyday routine. You will learn about the beneficial effects of meditation, including how this powerful art will help you to
• Reduce stress and experience greater clarity of mind
• Treat health problems, ranging from depression and anxiety to insomnia and chronic pain
• Develop your powers of concentration and positive thinking
• Lead a more balanced life in tune with the fivefold path as taught by the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center
The Sivananda Companion to Meditationis geared to beginners as well as those already experienced in the art of meditation. Regardless of your level, this book will help you to attain a state of profound clarity and serenity that will change your life.』
Kakaku：1299 saved$12.99
BookSurge Publishing
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Great little book) 『This is a great yoga guidebook. I take it with me on business trips, and use it to come up with my own yoga routines in the hotel. It's been a great help to me, and has really got me into the habit of practicing yoga every day. Highly recommended.』
(Yoga Delightful) 『This little book delivers all that it promises and much more. The droll commentary and Vera's charming personality make learning (or remembering) yoga postures (asanas) and their sometimes difficult names really fun. Vera is empathic, humble and humorous. Intended as a supplement to yoga classes, Pocket Yoga gently coaxes, encourages and amuses practicioners of all levels. Small enough to tuck in your gym bag, large enough to make a great gift to fellow yoginis, this unique book is a gem.』
(Yoga on the GO!) 『This book has made Yoga so much easier for me in my busy life. I can take it anywhere (and we all know how our exercise suffers when we travel). The visuals and explanations about the poses make it easy to learn and remember. As if that is not enough, the book is educational as it teaches all the terms and pronunciations to make you sound like an expert. And last but not least, she'll have you laughing along the way!! It's simply genius.』
(I love this little book!) 『I love this little book! Vera Sana is smart, funny, and very knowledgeable about the asanas. Let her be your guide through the various poses, explaining everything as she goes. Before long you will learn to pronounce the Sanskrit names and understand the connections between the asanas. Her suggestions for getting into and out of each pose are based on her years of yoga practice, which she does imperfectly every day. Her thoughts about each pose will bring a new dimension to your own yoga practice. This book is the perfect size to take with you everywhere you go. Use it for inspiration, motivation, or reference. Vera will soon become a trusted friend. She does her best, and as she says, that is all anyone can ask. 』 『This tongue-in-cheek yoga guide is 'written and performed by Vera Sana,' a girl with a passion for yoga and a body made of Sculpey. A flipbook of 52 essential yoga asanas and a set of flashcards for learning their Sanskrit names, Pocket Yoga will keep you laughing as you share with Vera the agony and the ecstacy of yoga practice. Great gift for yogis and yoginis of every variety--Bikram, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Flow, and Power Yoga, and everything in between. Fully illustrated.』 fetish『 Kundalini Tantra 』
『 Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha/2008 Fourth Revised Edition 』
『 A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya 』
『 Yoga Nidra 』
『 Moola Bandha: The Master Key 』
『 Tattwa Shuddhi: The Tantric Practice of Inner Purification 』
Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Kakaku：2500 saved$25.00
Yoga Pubns Trust
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Information hard to come by otherwise) 『I think this book functions best after the Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya by the same author.
The book is rife with yoga techniques that aim to help harmonious development of mind.
There is a wealth of information in it about the "electricity" or power that yogis call kundalini, on how to make it rise through the spinal pathway called sushumna nadi with its vortexes ("transformation stations" called lotuses, chakras), all for the sake of awakening. There are degrees of awakening. They tie in with the axis (sushumna) in the spine.
The book also contains research findings and musings into that electrifying power that may be awakened and makes some people want to dance, among other things.』
(Very recommended for learning Tantra Yoga) 『To learn about the concepts and practices of Tantra, the symptoms and physiology behind the Kundalini rising, this is a book I strongly promote. It's written with humble mastery, and is a book you can trust for accuracy, and heart. Don't be swayed into thinking Tantra is something it's not. Read this book for the real thing.』
(Superb!) 『Expert, specific, precise instruction and guidance from a Paramyogi and Guru. You couldn't find better if you visited an Indian Ashram or Himalayan Hermitage! While Paramahansa Yogananda's "SELF REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP" charges thousand$ for initiation and instruction, this book and "A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya" will take you step-by-step through all prepratory stages AND ALL ACTUAL PRACTICES OF THE ENTIRE SERIES OF KRIYAS for a paltry one-time fee. Forget the other reviews on here which warn of "seeking a qualified teacher" before attempting Kriya Yoga! You can't get any more qualified than the author of these two books AND you can't get better step-by-step, seriously detailed explanations for reaching Kriya mastery than right here. The West is sorely lacking in terms of instruction/advice/explanations on Yoga. To most people, Yoga is doing postures and some breathing down at the YMCA/YWCA or Heath Spa, which is laughable in light of information found in ALL publications for YOGA PUBLICATIONS TRUST, Mungar, Bihar, India. Look in at their website - yogavision. net』
(Excellent for those who're already prepared) 『I've owned this book for several years. I started out with "A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya", by the same author. This book is meant as a companion volume to A Systematic Course to go more in depth and explain technical details that couldn't find the space in the 1000 paged coursebook. It includes all the kriyas in their entirety with the same verbiage given in A Systematic Course. The only difference is that Kundalini Trantra presupposes the reader that's intending to do the practice has already had several years of rigorous hatha yoga and meditation practice. In fact, preceeding the exposition on the kriyas is a stern warning that those who haven't had such a lifestyle for about that much time should avert from kriya yoga until they have.
A Systematic Course, by the same author, gives an excellent 3 years worth of systematically progressive yogic techniques and lays them out in a perfect way for daily practice. I followed it for 1.5 years before integrating the practice of kriya yoga with my daily sadhana, as laid out at the end of each section. I'm intensely grateful that I closely adhered to their guidelines. Had I not had a series of smaller "awakenings", I might wonder what the hell was happening to me sometimes. All for the persuit of God.
Someone advised elsewhere here that practicing kundalini tantra (which includes kriya yoga) without a qualified teacher could be dangerous. I would have to firstly raise the question of what constitutes a "qualified" teacher? Secondly, what kind of risk would people be willing to take from these practices that might be so dangerous? I think the only qualified teacher available to us in the west is our own self-practice and our own experiences, guided by the budding intuition that develops therefrom. As for the risky business of meditation - Anytime I leave my house or drive my car, I'm putting my life in great potential peril. But I do so because I've minimized my risk from many years of practice and practical experience gleamed from it, and because the rewards far outweighs the risk.
My ultimate recommendation: A great book for those who: are determined to gain self-enlightenment from kriya yoga and have had the hatha/concentration training; hatha yogis who want to move beyond the body; and those who simply are intensely curious about kriya yoga and its technical details.』
(Excellent, accurate, easy to understand reference for serious students) 『I am a personal growth coach who has been studying world religions for over two decades. I have a graduate education in integral psychology. This field studies psychology within the broader context of the world's wisdom traditions. I own over 800-900 books on philosophy and world religion and this one is special for a variety of reasons. Three of the most important are that it is easy to read, it comes from an authentic lineage and it includes quite a bit of in-depth information.
Unlike many books on Tantra or Kundalini written for Western audiences, this book has real substance and does a good job of explaining the philosophical foundation of this practice without adding a lot of unnecessary detail. It strikes a very nice balance between a traditional approach and one that takes into account the needs of Western students.
While I don't agree with every point in the book or take it as unquestioned truth, it certainly contributed to my understanding of this vast and complex topic. It also provided me with a lot of food for thought, good analogies for difficult concepts and useful practices.
This is real Tantra and geared toward serious practioners. However, it is useful for anyone looking for reliable information without buying ten different books and getting bogged down in a lot of detail and contradictory information from questionable sources. It presents Tantra from the Hindu point of view. If you are interested in the Buddhist perspective, then I highly recommend Lama Yeshe's "Introduction to Tantra."
I think it is very important to note that practicing Kundalini Tantra without a qualified teacher could be dangerous. At the least, you can have a minor spiritual crisis or some very uncomfortable psychological or emotional problems come up unexpectedly. In short, this is an area of study to approach with respect and the best tour guide you can find.
』 『In the last few decades, yoga has helped millions of people to improve their concepts of themselves. Yoga realises that man is not only the mind, he is body as well. Yoga has been designed in a such a way that it can complete the process of evolution of the personality in every possible direction. Kundalini yoga is a part of the tantric tradition. Even though you may have already been introduced to yoga, it is necessary to know something about tantra also. Since the dawn of creation, the tantrics and yogis have realised that in this physical body there is a potential force. It is not psychological or transcendental; it is a dynamic potential force in the material body, and it is called Kundalini. This Kundalini is the greatest discovery of tantra and yoga. Scientists have begun to look into this, and a summary of the latest scientific experiments is included in this book.』
