| ranked #1 out of 15 resources | rated 4.05 out of 5 | total 15 votes |
Ashtanga Yoga: The Definitive Step-by-Step Guide to Dynamic Yoga
Authors: John C. Scott, Forward by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois
Resource Type: Book
RRP: USD $18.95
Analysis:
- A cross between David Swenson’s Ashtanga Practice Manual and Yoga Mala.
- Great detailed explanation of how to get into and out of each pose.
- Tremendous detail on sychronizing the breath with each movement.
- Offers some yoga philosophy, opening and closer prayer.
- Sanskrit count of each movement in both Sun Salutaion series.
- Does not go into nutrition or lifestyle.
- Not suitable for complete beginners.
Backcover:
Ashtanga - or “power” - yoga is an energetic form of yoga that can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels. With its active aerobic component and dynamic poses, Ashtanga yoga has revolutionized the fitness and yoga fields, becoming the preferred exercise of those who wish to combine the spiritual benefits of yoga with the rewards of a more rigorous athletic exercise program.
Beautifully written and illustrated by yoga master John Scott, Ashtanga Yoga takes you step-by-step through the sequence of flowing energetic movements that comprises Ashtanga yoga’s unique eight-limb system. With clarity and detail, Scott outlines vinyasa, the breath-movement system that distinguishes Ashtanga from other forms of yoga. When mastered, vinyasa produces a heat that releases toxins residing in the deep muscle layers of the body, thereby alleviating fatigue, stress, depression, muscle atrophy, and illness. Practicing Ashtanga yoga will also allow you to:
- Purify your body and relieve stress with dynamic movements and precise postures
- Develop physical strength, increased stamina, and greater flexibility
- Get a great workout and care for your mind and spirit as well
- Practice at your own pace
Through these traditional exercises, you will find yourself on a path to self-realization, gradually releasing and stretching muscles, building strength, focusing the mind, and cleansing the spirit.
JOHN SCOTT is certified to teach Ashtanga Yoga by the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in India where he studied under the world-renowned yogi Shri Pattabhi Jois. He founded his own Ashtanga school in his native New Zealand and has also taught in the United States. In 1997, John opened Ashtanga London. He counts among his students such celebrities as Madonna and Sting. John and his wife, Lucy, have recently established the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Retreat Center in Cornwall, England, where they now reside.
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December 19, 2005 @ 2:06 am
yogi bear said,
Beautifully illustrated with colored photos (as opposed to the black and white ones of Swensons). It was a good touch to include the opening and closing prayer.
I don’t completely agree that this book isn’t suitable for beginners. Both beginner and advanced practitioners can appreciate the elegance and execution of the primary series by John Scott. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say that this book shouldn’t be used to learn Ashtanga yoga from a book (but then again, you shouldn’t really be learning yoga from a book since it’s 1000 times better coming from a teacher).
February 23, 2006 @ 9:35 am
Jerri H. said,
I had heard such good things about this book, so I requested it for last Christmas. It’s a good book, but I felt somewhat disappointed and I can’t seem to pin point why.
I end up going back to Swenson’s book. :\
March 14, 2006 @ 2:23 am
Deanna said,
I thought the same as Jerri above, but I’m glad to say my opinion has changed with some time!
I was initially disappointed with this book and went back to David Swenson’s book for reference, but I found that after a while, I got more out of this book.
I admit that Swenson’s book is easier to use because of the hard cover and spiral binding, but the details in the descriptions in Scott’s book is far more… well… detailed than anything I’ve read before.
2 thumbs up and highly recommended for anyone learning primary series (which you should be doing with a teacher, not from a book!)
November 21, 2009 @ 2:35 am
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