| ranked #1 out of 15 resources | rated 4.21 out of 5 | total 28 votes |
Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual: An Illustrated Guide to Personal Practice
Author: David Swenson
Resource Type: Book
RRP: USD $24.95
Analysis:
- Many call this book the most user-friendly Ashtanga book available.
- Hardcover and spiral bound helps the book stay open when using it during practice.
- Contains the primary and internediate series.
- Each asana/pose has 3 variations or modifications for varying levels of experience.
- Focus on the physical practice of Ashtanga yoga, lacks the philosophical aspects of practice.
- Abridged versions (short forms) of the series for those on the go.
- Suitable for beginners.
Backcover:
Patanjali’s analogy is the perfect image. There are many approaches to yoga just as there are many varieties of trees in a forest. EAch tree has the same goal, to reach toward the light. Wisdom and spirituality unfold in the same steady manner.
Ashtanga Yoga, as described in this manual is derived from the teachings of K. Pattabhi Jois. He is the director and founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India. He learned this method from his teacher, Krishnamacharya, and has shared it with thousands of students around the world. Today, celebrities, athletes and professionals from all walks of life are enjoying it’s [sic] benefits.
Ashtanga Yoga, with it’s powerful linking of postures and full rhythmic breathing, is a yoga system like no other. Deep internal heat purifies the body on a cellular level while enhanced levels of concentration relax the mind and internal energy locks strengthen the nervous system.
David Swenson began practicing yoga in 1969 at the age of 13. His introduction to Ashtanga came in 1973 from David Williams. In 1975, K. Pattabhi Jois made his first trip to the U.S. and Swenson initiated his studies directly with him. David is recognized as one of the world’s foremost instructors of Ashtanga.
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December 10, 2005 @ 10:49 pm
Jodi the Yogi said,
David Swenson’s book has instructions for each asana with his comments added to it. I personally valued his comments more than anything else!
The section on “Applying the physics of flight” for the jump throughs (or float throughs) was very informative as well. It definitely helped me understand how to jump through a lot more gracefully than what I was doing before!
In comparison to John Scott’s book (which is also very good!) I preferred David Swenson’s book because of the hard cover and spiral binding and the comments. John’s book has very beautiful colored photos though.
December 19, 2005 @ 1:58 am
thomas said,
I prefer Swenson’s book to Scott’s because Swenson’s includes the intermediate series. I’m not quite at the intermediate series yet, but it is definitely inspiring to see the more advanced series.
December 28, 2005 @ 10:58 pm
arti macedo said,
It is one of the most comprehensive yoga books ever. Not only are the asanas described to perfection, but variations are given for each and every asana with a photograph for each -a beginner, an intermediate practitioner as well as an advanced one. So if there is an adavnced asana you wish to do some day, he always shows you a way to begin the journey to that destination. Excellent for teachers and students alike.
January 7, 2006 @ 2:27 am
kathy said,
I’m a very beginner; always on the road and the perfect audience for this book. I absolutely love it. I have not yet been to a class, but I think I know what I’m doing - just from the book.
My sister got jump throughs today just from the book (she’s never been to an Ashtanga class either, though she has been to many other Yoga classes).
My kids love the book too; they pick a page and do the pose.
February 21, 2006 @ 7:29 pm
Heather Fougnier said,
David Swenson’s Ashtanga Yoga Practice Manual is an excellent resource for those wanting to deepen their ashtanga yoga practice. He offers modifications to each pose and the spiral-bound book makes it easy to use while practicing.
I used it to learn my Mysore practice. For those who don’t know what that is, it’s a quiet practice of Ashtanga where you do the sequence at your own pace — following your breath. Swenson’s Practice Manual made it easy for me to learn because of the at-a-glance sequence at the end of the book.
I highly recommend this book, plus his Primary Series DVD — both are excellent resources. His DVD can actually help you learn the practice if there are no teachers in your area. I used it to create my own practice outside of class.
Heather Fougnier
Success Summits
http://SuccessSummits.com
http://Live.YourCaribbeanDream.com
September 12, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
John said,
I was reading about this book over at macroyoga.com and decided to pick it up. To say that David Swenson is a brilliant author and yogi would be an extreme understatement. If anyone is interested in a book on Ashtanga Yoga, this is the one to start with.