Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete Mind and Body Workout [Paperback]

Juliet Pegrum (Author), Pattabhi Jois (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2001

It's a workout unlike any other, strengthening the body and purifying the mind--and with this introduction to ashtanga's dynamic sequences (asanas), anyone can participate. From easy poses for beginners through more challenging ones, from warm-ups to finishing movements, scores of sitting and standing positions will vitalize you while they promote wellness. The breathing and relaxation techiniques, warm-ups, combinations, advice on hydration and diet, and hundreds of color photographs will have you tapping into your body's energy centers on your way toward spiritual harmony.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (December 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806966556
• ISBN-13: 978-0806966557
• Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,102,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars There are better Ashtanga books available., July 18, 2004

By 

Yigal P. Weinstein "yigal weinstein" (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete Mind and Body Workout (Paperback)

I bought this book because I wanted a different take on Ashtana Yoga to David Swenon's "Ashtanga Yoga: 'The Practice Manual'". I have practiced yoga off and on since I was 14. I am 25 now and thus have more than a decade of trying to do yoga- primarily with the use of books- as I do not have the kind of money it requires to get a good teacher i.e. $100-150/month- but I have had 3 months or so with a good teacher.

Positive Criticism:
If you are learning from a class and an instructor, Pegrum's book is pretty much a very terse flip book of asanas and could help you remember the names, and basic ideas to remember when practicing these asanas. She also describes Ujjayi breathing in some detail, which again is a very important part of Ashtanga Yoga.

Negative Criticism:
If you are trying to learn from a book or learn something more than what your instructor has shown you this is not the book for you. This book is incomplete in terms of a description of the type of asanas described, the directions for each asana, and also how to do the rediculously difficult - at least at the beginning- half vinyasa. The main problem I found with this book is that the descriptions given to each asana are so terse that you have a problem knowing if you are doing the asana properly.

These statements were made after comparing Pegrum's "Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete mind and Body Workout" to David Swenson's "Ashtanga Yoga: 'The Practice Manual'". If Swenson's book and Pegrum's book are compared Swenson' has a far superior book for learning Ashtanga by one's self and even if you plan to have a teacher Swenson's book is still superior if you like descriptions of asanas that deal both with how to get into a pose eventually from a rather inflexible body to how one can get into a pose having a body like a yogi. Not everyone thinks like me so Pegrum's book might suit another person very well but I felt that something should be said about what I think is an inferior product.
Sincerely,
Yigal

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended, May 1, 2003

By 

eboni70 "eboni70" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete Mind and Body Workout (Paperback)

I found this one to be extremely informative & practical and thankfully free from the cliched vagueness of some other books I have read. It contains very clear photos and detailed instructions for each pose/sequence along with the benefits of each pose. The introduction talks about the origins of yoga, the 8 limbs, etc and basically how to get the best out of your practice (touching on routine, diet, etc). Probably best suited for individuals who have already been introduced to yoga (at any level).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Does a good job of breaking down the series, October 16, 2003

By 

T. Allen (Forest Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete Mind and Body Workout (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book immensely. The book breaks down the Primary Series into workable parts. The book starts with the two Sun Salutations, then it goes into the standing postures, the seated postures, advanced seated postures, and finishing/closing postures. This book does a good job of offering some modifications to some of the poses. Berly Benders "Power Yoga" does an even better job, but this book is quite good to get started with. Pegrum demonstrates the poses with tremondous competency, and makes them look almost attainable :-). Overall, this is a good book to start with.