Customer Reviews

Asanas: 608 Yoga Poses

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Pictures say more than words. These 608 pictures truly does. For the Intermediate to the Advanced student, you don't really need a descriptive guide - the pictures tell you all. This is going to be an inspiration to me all the time. For the great price Amazon.com offers, think no further. Just buy it and your Yoga practise is bound to get more inspired.

The size of the book (small) is a plus as you can carry it along even on your vacation. The quality of the pictures is not going to impress the aesthetically prone, but the point is the variety of asanas come out quite well with few words!

Dharma Mittra put Yoga to work in the form of Karma (Yoga), when he spent time and effort in photographing himself and distributing it to the public (I have read he did this free). Pure, selfless action results in such works that will stand the test of time!

I have watched Dharma Mittra`s incredible poses live and through his poster, and I have wished to scrutinize each under magnification and learn from each pose to the fullest. My wish came true. This book is an incredible reference and inspiration, covering the full scope of hatha yoga (many poses come as a surprise even to the experienced). There are beautiful introductions to the chapters written by Dharma. Otherwise, the focus is simply and brilliantly on the asana (1 per page- one can also interestingly use this as an animated "flip book" to better understand Dharma's movement in the sequences). There are no distractions of accessory text or excessive design on these pages. Although the book has a contemporary look, I feel at times I am viewing an ancient book on yoga...and I realize in many ways I am. We are told the best path to perfecting our hatha yoga practice is to watch a yogi master practice to perfection and then emulate them. Here is our opportunity.

This is a beautiful book which should have been made
years ago of the most important Yoga teacher in New York City . The photos are clear and inspiring. The format of the
book is simple, beautiful, and pocket friendly. It is direct and to the point. Thank you publishers and Shri Dharma Mittra

Dharma's little pocket book (it fits in my purse), much like his poster, is truly an inspiration. It reminds me of Light on Yoga without the explanations and would be a wonderful companion to this book. Much like Iyengar in Light on Yoga there is something about either Dharma's expression or body language that demonstrates a deep devotion. You can tell that Dharma sees the yoga postures as a dedication. Truly a work of art and devotion.

As Dharma's name implies, he has devoted his life to the selfless service of others. As he explains in the book, he painstakingly created these photographs as an offering to his guru, Swami Kailashananda, in order to document the ancient asanas. Many of them had only been described in written form, but had never been illustrated before.
In executing this monumental undertaking, Dharma not only served his guru, but served all yogis and yoginis for generations to come, who wish to study the eight limbs of yoga. While the majority of the photos were taken circa 1975, some of the original negatives were lost, and he recently had to retake some of the photos for the book. Looking at the more current photos is the strongest possible testament to the benefits of leading a life of yoga and selfless servitude. This book is both educational and inspiring.

I have watched Dharma Mittra`s incredible poses live and through his poster, and I have wished to scrutinize each under magnification and learn from each pose to the fullest. My wish came true. This book is an incredible reference and inspiration, covering the full scope of hatha yoga (many poses come as a surprise even to the experienced). There are beautiful introductions to the chapters written by Dharma. Otherwise, the focus is simply and brilliantly on the asana (1 per page- one can also interestingly use this as an animated "flip book" to better understand Dharma's movement in the sequences). There are no distractions of accessory text or excessive design on these pages. Although the book has a contemporary look, I feel at times I am viewing an ancient book on yoga...and I realize in many ways I am. We are told the best path to perfecting our hatha yoga practice is to watch a yogi master practice to perfection and then emulate them. Here is our opportunity.

Asanas collects 608 of black-and-white photographs, each accompanied by the English name of the pose and the Sanskrit characters, brief commentary, and specific combinations for Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Iyengar practice. There are suggestions for beginning, intermediate, and advanced yoga practitioners, as well as a list of poses beneficial for particular health problems and chakra relationships. Because it builds on basic postures, Asanas will appeal to students of any of the 100 yoga styles. This would make a wonderful gift for anyone who is interested in yoga.

This is a book that has one asana on each page. It's a little thick book. If you practice yoga, you will find many poses you have never seen or done. Each pose has the sanskrit name and the english, but does not include anything else such as how to get into the pose. It is interesting by I don't use it in yoga. If you want a challenge, this might be your book.

This little book is beautiful as well as powerful. It is not an instruction book for beginners, but will certainly provide inspiration to anyone on the yoga path, no matter what their level of experience. For more experienced practitioners who seek to elevate their practice or add variety, this book is a gift. The photographs of Sri Mittra clearly show the pose from the best angle to see the necessary detail. Most of the photos were taken when Mittra was 45, but a few shots of a much older Mittra are a shining testament to the rejuvenating effects of a dedicated practice. Each photo illustrates Mittra's grace and strength and hints at a more spiritual aspect of the practice. Any serious student of yoga will consider this book a treasure.

It's rare you get a book on yoga that is as great to look at and as useful as this one.
In the 1980s, Dharma Mittra, one of the most humble and authentic yoga teachers in New York City photographed himself in every yoga pose as a devotional act to his guru. He made it into a classic poster called the Yoga Master Chart.
This big little book takes those photos and lays them out on really cool black paper to create a really comprehensive pictionary of yoga. It shows every pose executed in exquisite form and then gives the name in English and in Sanskrit. Besides the black paper, the size of the book is compact and thick and very, very handy to carry and refer to. I especially liked the short lessons Dharma gives before every chapter and the dictionary of yoga terms at the end.
This is a book that will look good on the coffee table of any yoga practitioner. But you don't have to do yoga to appreciate it as a compelling object and a brilliant study of this ancient tradition.