Hatha Yoga Illustrated
Experience the physical benefits and body awareness from hatha yoga—the most popular form of yoga today. Hatha Yoga Illustrated presents nearly 650 full-color photos to visually demonstrate 77 standard poses from hatha yoga that apply to all major hatha styles including Iyengar, Astanga, Anusara, and Bikram.
Individual poses are presented from start to finish, showing you how to achieve proper alignment and breathing to ensure challenging yet safe execution. The result is an increase in the effectiveness, both physically and mentally, you’ll experience with each pose. Several pose variations based on your personal preference, ability, and fitness level are also included.
Eleven sample yoga routines show how to assemble the poses into workouts that meet your specific time, difficulty, and intensity parameters. Colorful and comprehensive, Hatha Yoga Illustrated is organized for your ultimate convenience and use. Use it to guide your muscles, as well as your mind, and increase strength and stamina, reduce stress and anxiety, reduce blood pressure, and increase flexibility.
It's also great for people who just happen to love yoga as well.
Even though I already know a lot about breathing and meditation, it was great to read more about it in this book - along with some history of different yoga types. This book would be great for beginners, but it is also equally great for people who are more familiar with yoga.
There is even an adjustment for a beginner who cannot perform the full extent of the position easily... so they can improve step by step :)
Very suitable for professionals as well, as they can really learn what to be aware of in special health conditions of the clients. not every position is suitable for everyone, especially when having some physical problem.
Although the names of the asanas have been "anglicized" while one would rather have them in their Sanskrit-like form (i.e., with the appropriate diacritics etc.), this is surely not a real "problem". Hence, 5 stars.
new to Yoga. This is a great book to have for the beginner.
Not only does Hatha Yoga Illustrated offer photographs of various poses (and the succession in which you need to achieve them) but also offers in-depth descriptions about gentle variations (for beginners or people with injuries etc. that may not be able to achieve a pose as is), breathing, and the ailments that each pose has the potential to relieve. The book also offers a bit about the philosophies of yoga. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the book offers, at the back, a number of yoga sequences/routines you can put into practice once you are familiar and comfortable with the individual poses.
At the age of 38, I am literally in the best shape of my life. Through Pilates and Yoga I have been able to achieve a toned and slender body without the use (and potential injury factor) of weight training. This book has proven invaluable to me and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for an introduction to Yoga. I've never been more limber, flexible and focused. And all this from two books (The Pilates Body and Hatha Yoga Illustrated). If you work well on your own and are motivated to change for the better, you need look no further than this book for a terrific start.
I would suggest buying a yoga mat if you don't have one already...
P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program - 13 DVDs, Nutrition Guide, Exercise Planner
The book is also great for people who've gone through Richard Hittleman's 28-Day Yoga Exercise Plan and are looking to delve deeper into yoga and learn more positions. The Hittleman book gets you started and provides a foundation; this book builds on that foundation.
Richard Hittleman's Yoga: 28 Day Exercise Plan
1) It has a picture index of poses so even if u dont know there names u can find it
2) It gives information about which body parts get the work out
3) Has wonderful pics of each pose and vareations
I LOVE IT!
Doc Wah
While I think that a class is the best way to begin your yoga journey this book is also a great help. Allowing you to review poses you learned in a session and expand your knowledge of this wonderful practice.