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HATHA YOGA BOOKS - PRICE VARIES BY TITLE (Verify Prices listed at Amazon.com - the price i list is an approximation of the cost - follow the link to Amazon.com by clicking on the image of the product for more information or to buy the product) Click on the image of the book. it will take you to a fuller description of each title, and give you the option to buy the book today. All- Around Guides -include Asana, Philosophy, Pranayama, Meditation
Descriptions: Yoga for Dummies: Written by two of Yoga's premier scholars - Larry Payne and Georg Feurstein, this book covers the major aspects of yoga - what it is about, how to select a class, philosophy, breathing techniques, and gentle beginners yoga stretches and poses. It is an excellent reference for a beginners or yoga students who wants to know more about the full range of yoga. Clear, well-written and organized, and everything is in "plain English" to make it easy to understand. FOR BEGINNER THROUGH INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS. About $16 Light on Yoga: By B.K.S. Iyengar. This is THE classic text on yoga (besides Patanjali's Yoga Sutras). B.K.S. Iyengar is a world-renowned master yoga instructor. He covers breathing techniques and hundreds of asanas (yoga poses) with attention to form and alignment. Photos demonstrate the many poses. Great guide for anyone who would like a broader knowledge of hundreds of yoga asanas, how each asana affects every part of your body and mind, and instruction on breathing techniques. A MUST for every serious yogis bookshelf. FOR INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED STUDENTS. About $15 Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness: By Erich Schiffman. Erich is a MASTER yoga instructor. He has studied yoga with the best, and has a refreshing and deep understanding of the practice of yoga. He truly leads you to feel the openings of heart and mind in all yoga postures, relax into them, and let them offer their gifts to you. Excellent instruction on Asanas, with many clear photos, precise and easy to understand language. Pranayama breathing techniques, Mudras (energy seals for freeing energy in the body), guidance on how to open your awareness, and one of the best descriptions of how and why to meditate. EXCELLENT FOR BEGINNING THROUGH ADVANCED STUDENTS. About $13 The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Philosophy, Literature and Practice: by Georg Feurstein Georg has rolled a great deal of scholarly information on yoga into one comprehensive text. This book is a textbook for history of yoga. It includes translation of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, information on various yoga lineages, and how this ancient practice has come down to us through the centuries. It is a complete coverage of yoga, but it can read like an encyclopedia sometimes. I recommend this for ADVANCED STUDENTS ONLY. About $31 Excellent Guides on Asana (the Physical Practice of Yoga - postures)
Yoga: The Iyengar Way: by Silva, Mira & Shyam Mehta (mother, daughter, son - all students of B.K.S. Iyengar). Excellent guide on Asana (yoga postures). This book includes a few pages on yogic breathing and philosophy, but 95% of the book is dedicated to teaching yoga postures. Huge, clear pictures on almost every page, demonstrating correct Iyengar-style alignment in many basic through intermediate asanas. Excellent reference book for learning yoga poses. FOR BEGINNER THROUGH ADVANCED. About $18 Yoga for Wellness: Healing with Yoga: by Gary Kraftsow. Covers how to make yoga asanas fit your body, and offer their healing gifts to you. Your body is not intended to fit some ideal picture-perfect pose. The idea is to have each pose fit your body, to increase your health and well-being. Yoga poses tailored to each individual body and individual needs. A wonderful guide for increasing your health through yoga - this book goes beyond the physical asana, and into the energy centers of the body, diet, emotion, mental energy, and the deep underlying structure of yoga. FOR INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS. About $17.50 Power Yoga: by Beryl Bender Birch. This is a good reference for practitioners of Ashtanga Yoga. Beryl is the fitness coach for the New York Runner's Club, and she provides excellent guidance on building strength and stamina simultaneously. A great reference for details on Ashtanga-style alignment in the yoga poses. FOR INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED STUDENTS. About $13 Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class: by Bikram Choudhury. Don't let the name fool you. Bikram's beginning yoga provides a challenge for even advanced athletes! Bikram's style yoga is one of the most physically athletic styles there is! Build strength, stamina, flexibility, and even a bit of a Cardio-Vascular workout too! Bikram has his own way of guiding you into certain postures to offer maximum health benefits. Some of his students have remarkable stories to tell - about going off insulin (and staying incredibly healthy through this style of yoga), about repairing old injury, and transforming their lives. Bikram is the "yogi to the stars" with a roster of major film, professional sports, singing and dancing star students. The pictures in the book are a bit dated (from the mid-late 70's) but this is still a great guide on Bikram's yoga, including what the health benefits of the postures are, and how to work your way into them. FOR BEGINNER THROUGH ADVANCED. About $13 Doubles Yoga: Yoga, a Manual for Two or More - Yoga for Partners - no picture available - follow this link http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1895383080/focalpointyoga Doubles Yoga: Yoga, a Manual for Two or More: By Shar Lee and Dawn R. Mahowald. Excellent manual is for Partner Yoga. Learn to do yoga postures with a partner! This is one of the best books demonstrating yoga postures for partners. Lots of photos, lots of details, and excellent rating system to tell you which postures are for beginners, intermediate, and advanced, rating the postures by level of difficulty. About $15 Guides on the Philosophy of Yoga - the Spiritual Path
The Heart of Yoga: by Deskichar. Written by the son of Krishnamacharya, the yogi who taught the masters Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois. Deskichar is a master yoga instructor, following his father's footsteps. He is Gary Kraftsow's instructor (see Gary's book, above). Deskichar takes you through the body - takes you to another level. He takes you into the philosophy of yoga. This is a much deeper view beyond physical asana (poses). He takes you into the meaning of what we are doing when we practice yoga. This is a must for anyone wanting to DEEPEN their practice of yoga, and get a better understanding of what is going on in the body/mind/spirit and its deep connection to the universal life flow. FOR SERIOUS BEGINNERS, INTERMEDIATE, AND ADVANCED STUDENTS. About $16 The Tree of Yoga: by B. K. S. Iyengar. This book gets into the various branches of yoga (see my web site under "the 8 fold path). Discussing Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and ancient texts of yoga, Iyengar reveals the inner workings of yoga - the spiritual practice. FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS. About $11 Yogi Bare: by Philip Self. Cute title, but don't let it distract you from the wisdom between the covers of this book. Philip interviews 20 of the Western world's greatest yogis and yoginis for information on how, why, where they began to practice yoga, probing issues that each one of us can relate to. These well-known yogis share tremendous wisdom that they have gained on their path, and learning from their experience can help you on your own path. Like a brief yoga lecture from each of 20 masters. FOR INTERMEDIATE LEVEL STUDENTS. about $13.50 Yoga as a Personal Growth Tool - a Bridge Between the Body and the Self
Yoga and the Quest for the True Self: by Stephen Cope (Kaviraj). Stephen is the Scholar-In-Residence at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (the largest residential yoga center in the U.S.), as well as a psychotherapist and experienced yogi. He tells the tale of numerous seeker's journey's (including his own), with wonderful insight and analysis, both from the perspective of Western Psychology and the perspective of Eastern Philosophy. This book can truly transform you, as you recognize yourself in the tales of other spiritual seekers. One of the BEST BOOKS on yoga's ability to transform! No details on yoga poses - it is about the deeper truths! YOU WON'T REGRET GETTING THIS! IT IS OUTSTANDING! Interesting and well-written, clear, lucid language. Reads like an interesting novel! FOR BEGINNERS THROUGH ADVANCED STUDENTS! A GREAT READ FOR EVERYONE! About $18 Phoenix Rising Yoga: A Bridge from Body to Soul: by Michael Lee, originator of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. An thoughtful book explaining the principles of the Phoenix Rising - using yoga as therapy, to release trauma, stress, anger, grief, joy, and conflicted emotions. More and more, psychologists are sending their patients to Phoenix Rising to release stored emotions and tensions in a safe environment, through the use of Yoga. The body is used to freeing ourselves from blockages in our mind and spirit, through yoga. Current research demonstrates that emotional tension, trauma, and stress are stored in the body as deep muscle tension (ever get into an accident, feel fine that day - not even aware of any tension in your muscles, and days later have muscular shakes and tremors? that is one obvious and blunt example of the body storing emotional stress). Find out more, and how to work through your own emotions, releasing old hurts and healing deep wounds in the body/mind/spirit. For difficult unresolved issues, see a Certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Practitioner, a trained support professional to help you through the process. FOR BEGINNERS THROUGH ADVANCED. About $10 Light on Pranayama: The Yogic Art of Breathing: by B.K.S. Iyengar. A great reference on pranayama, yogic breathing techniques. Explains the how's and why's of yogic breathing, going into detail on a variety of techniques, explaining the history and philosophical background of the yogic art of breathing. The breath is considered one of the few links from our physical body (food sheath) to our higher, energetic body. As you read this book, you will begin to notice the connection to your higher self (spirit, soul) through breathing. Caution: Breathing techniques can alter the state of your consciousness (by hyper-oxygenating or hypo-oxygenating the blood), so use care with the advanced techniques. Excellent preparation and guide into deep meditative states. FOR INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED STUDENTS. About $16
These books are based on a variety of belief systems, but the core message coincides with a yogic life. None of these books are trying to convert you to any particular religion or belief system. They all encourage you to connect with your own spirituality, and offer sound guidance on the enrichment of your spiritual life, your mental balance and emotional steadiness. Fascinating philosophy.
A Path With Heart: by Jack Kornfield. One of the most quoted books by yoga instructors. Full of truths about the spiritual path, a guide to navigating your heart and soul, on your OWN inner quest. Jack is one of the founders of Insight Meditation Center in Barre, MA and Cambridge, MA. He has been a Zen Buddhist Monk, and has a thorough understanding of Buddhist philosophy, from a Western perspective. Jack is one of a handful of people who introduced Vipassana Meditation to the U.S. Text is interesting, but dry at times. For anyone looking for more in life than superficial material goods, this book will enrich your soul. FOR BEGINNER THROUGH ADVANCED. About $12 Buddha's Little Instruction Book: by Jack Kornfield. Jack is a Zen Buddhist Monk, Spiritual Seeker, and Scholar, who has made Buddhism accessible to everyone. He explains the principles in clear, lucid "sound bites," to give you wonderful short words of wisdom to turn to throughout your day. A wonderful gift! FOR BEGINNERS THROUGH INTERMEDIATE. About $7 Cultivating the Mind of Love: by Thich Nhat Hanh. Nhat Hanh was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King JR for his wisdom, kindness, and teachings of love and contentment. You might think a monk is so removed from average, everyday life that he can't relate to our problems and issues. This book will change your mind, as Thich tells of his love for a woman (after he became a monk), and he described wonderful ways to cultivate love and compassion in your life. Since this is a translation, the writing can be a bit awkward in a very few parts of the book, but you get the gist of what he is explaining. FOR INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED. About $11 Peace Is Every Step: the most quoted book by Thich Nhat Hanh (and he has written many! at least 20 have been translated to English). This book takes you through a life transformation - not a dramatic churning of emotion, but a stilling of the waters, learning to nourish peace and contentment in your heart. WARNING: This book can change your perspective and give you a balanced, contented view of the world! An excellent read. FOR INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED. About $10 Moment by Moment: by Thich Nhat Hanh. A guide for living consciously, fully present in EVERY MOMENT! (same thing we learn in yoga class - leave the concerns for the day past and the plans for the future outside the door, and set an intention to just be fully present in your body). Ancient guidance that applies beautifully to create a balanced, harmonious life for ourselves today. Happiness is not how much "stuff" you have - it is how much you can enjoy each moment of every day. FOR BEGINNER THROUGH ADVANCED. About $10 Awakening LovingKindness: by Pema Chodron, one of the few Western Women to become a Buddhist Nun. In easy to understand language, Pema explains the principles of LovingKindness and how they apply in your life. This book is a Shambhala pocket classic (in other words, it is a tiny book that can fit in your pocket or your purse) - great to carry with you and read whenever you need a bit of wisdom, peace, and serenity in your day. It is not about changing who you are - it is about accepting who you are - the anger, the pain, everything about you, and making friends with yourself. That is the ground level of this practice. Wonderful and inexpensive book. FOR BEGINNERS THROUGH ADVANCED About $5.50 Start Where You Are: by Pema Chodron. Pema helps you begin or continue your spiritual journey by accepting yourself, your life, and the events that have led you to this point. Just like the title says - start where you are - but with appreciation and acceptance for the lessons learned, without needing to change the past. FOR BEGINNERS THROUGH ADVANCED About $10 When Things Fall Apart: by Pema Chodron. A Bestseller. Pema has a wellspring of wisdom and guidance to offer us. This book is excellent for anyone going through a major life change - divorce, death of a loved one, loss of a job. There are lessons to be learned, and you can rebuild your life on a solid, spiritually fulfilling foundation. FOR BEGINNERS THROUGH ADVANCED. About $14 Books on Spirituality and Independent Thought - By Joel Kramer The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power - no picture available - follow this link http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1883319005/focalpointyoga The premise is that no spiritual teacher is required for your own quest. The knowledge is within you to follow your own true spiritual life. Here is a quote from one of the reviews of this book "The bottom line is that NO spiritual teaching requires a teacher, minister or guru, only a personal devotion to our chosen belief system and/or scriptural texts, and our own relationship with and understanding of our deity" About $14 Passionate Mind: A Manual for Living Creatively With One's Self - no picture available - follow this link http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0938190121/focalpointyoga Here is an excerpt from a review of this book :
"This book, which, to me, owes a lot to the thinking of Krishnamurti, is a wonderful
journey for anyone seeking to discover how to look at oneself. Actually, it's not about
"how" to look, but about JUST LOOKING! Be prepared to become a whole
person!" About $10 One of the Best Books On Relationships - with yourself or others that I have ever read:
How to Make Love All the Time: Making Love Last a Lifetime: by Barbara De Angelis, PhD, the "love guru". This is NOT a sex manual about "making love all the time." This is a book about making love work in your life whether developing a loving relationship with yourself, or with another. Tools for making relationships work. Clear, simple, easy to understand language and useful techniques to guide you step-by-step through troubled times. Helps you relate to YOURSELF in a more loving way first of all, then you can connect with another. The cover photo is cheesy - very "pop psychology" looking, but the content is useful. I know several couples who claim this book "saved their marriage" or "saved their relationship." Best part - the 5 steps to follow when you are angry with each other, so you can be closer than ever. FOR EVERYONE. Definitely worth the $5 or so it costs. Contact Us: NOSPAMelena@focalpointyoga.com (remove the words NO SPAM from the email address please!)
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