Customer Reviews

Ashtanga Yoga - The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice (Ashtanga Yoga Intermediate Series)

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These are 7 things I liked from the book which I believe will inspire practitioners

1 - The Amazing Visuals along the 8 limbs path description

I have never read such a vivid and clear description of the journey through the 8 limbs.

Fascinating for example, was the account of what exactly one "does" while on Dharana:

"Practically, dharana is done in the following way... you assume Padmasana ... and commence pranayama until breath retention (kumbhaka) is reached. Once in kumbhaka you rest the mind on your chosen location, beginning with the base chakra..."

Or what actually may happen when reaching Dyana:

"The fascinating opening that happens when you get to this stage [Dhyana, Meditation, page 11] is that you can "download" or "log on" to the Deva, or Divine form, that resides in or presides over each respecctive chakra."

I have to say that it left me wondering weather he speaks from personal experience or from the vast amount of text studying he has done.

2 - His case for using Indian myth to deepen the practice in chapter 2:

"In the course of this discusion I show how the study of myth can change the way you practice yoga and live your life..... you can create your own private hotline to and from the Supreme Being"

3 - His convincing case for why studying Sanskrit is important for us on the path.

He uses the story of how Krishnamutri dedicated his latest days (he was 95 and was not able to do so before because of selfless service, of course!) to learn Sanskrit.

He goes on to have a side note on English vs Sanskrit and then invites the reader to go back to the original texts rather than current yoga texts, and to make our own conclusions of what the sages were trying to say. He also gives warnings about them attacking other schools, and to remember to read things within their proper context. It seems the old sages had a trickster side to them, just for the benefit of the students.

4- The Mythology of the poses of the intermediate series.

Especially his interpretation of Pashasana as asking Lord Shiva for a "boon". I think anyone can relate to this process of waiting for a teacher to grant us the passage into intermediate!. He goes on to clarify that the REAL boon we are asking for is not just pashasana (which would, of course, be nice), but rather the understanding of immortality.

5 - The actual mythology behind every pose

I particularly liked the few stories around Kapottasana:

"The Skanda Purana informs us how Lord Shiva received the name Kapota. He once undertook severe tapas in the form of living only on air and avoiding all pairs of opposites. Although he was the master of the eight forms (five elements, moon, sun, and Lord) he shrank to the size of a pigeon. Henceforth, he was known to his devotees by the name of Kapota"

How is that shrinking to pigeon image next time you are warming up to the idea of Kapo?

6 - His standing up for the antiquity of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga was reassuring. Not so much the idea that we are actually loosing asanas.

7 - The poses
just like in the first book, the actual asanas have great pictures with detailed vinyasa explanations and anatomy charts. There are also tips spread out throughout in orange squares just as he had on the former.

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A book like this leaves me more interested in the inner path of yoga, in its depth, in the possibilities. It makes me want to feel whatever samadhi is, to understand how can one actually surrender to such an extent.

Maehle is my Hero. A great follow-up to his first book on the Primary series, this is probably the only book on the Ashtanga Intermediate series I have been able to find that gives such detailed, in-depth explanations on the poses. And it covers everything from anatomy to the myths/ legends behind the names of the poses to how the pose affects you physically and also energetically. I've only been given up until the first few poses in the Intermediate series, but have already found this book a huge help, leading to a greater depth of my understanding of the series. A highly, highly recommended book. Well done (yet again), Maehle!

Ashtanga Yoga: The Intermediate Series

By Gregor Maehle

It's rare indeed to find a book that translates any physical exercise or movement in a comprehensible way but Ashtanga Yoga does just that. This book is an excellent compliment to Gregor Maehle's first book in this series, Ashtanga Yoga: Practice & Philosophy. But be forewarned, this book is not for the lightly curious, this is for those who are ready in body and mind to take the next step.

Dhara Lemos, Lotus Guide Magazine

Ashtanga Yoga: The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice offers the first book on the Intermediate Series for both practitioners and teachers, blending yoga basics with anatomy and spirituality in a top pick recommended for any student. All 27 postures of the Intermediate series are covered through photos, anatomical line drawings, and sidebars of information.

WOW! This is a very informative book on every level, exactly what I was looking for to add to my collection

This book is just as awesome as the first. Great photos of all the poses & great descriptions too. How to get into the pose, how to adapt while you're learning, what are the benefits of each pose, drishti for each pose. Also, great philosophical info about Ashtanga & yoga in general.

Wonderful guide to Intermediate series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga - both anatomical and mythological. Gregor is always concise, practical, and fascinating. Strongly recommended to the dedicated practitioners and instructors

I'd looked forward to this book based on the reviews. Unfortunately there is far too much mythology, philosophy and extraneous material. The irony is I like reading those generally but not in this context.

As Jois himself said:
"Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory"

and again:
"Practice, practice, and all is coming!"

These are guiding principles in Ashtanga and large part of the reason I selected it for my own practice and travel. The material in this book obscures that rather profound message.

This is a great book for anyone who has a bit more interest in Ashtanga yoga!