Awakening the Spine: The Stress-Free New Yoga that Works with the Body to Restore Health, Vitality and Energy [Paperback]

Vanda Scaravelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 11, 1991

A revolutionary new method of yoga for overall fitness that teaches "if it hurts, it's wrong'"--from a vibrant 83-year-old master.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Vanda Scaravelli was born in Florence, Italy. She studied for many years with B.K.S. Iyengar and trains teachers who teach her new form of yoga all over the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 2 edition (October 11, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062507923
• ISBN-13: 978-0062507921
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this insightful book, May 10, 2000

By 

J. Madaffer (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Awakening the Spine: The Stress-Free New Yoga that Works with the Body to Restore Health, Vitality and Energy (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book. I've read it cover to cover and also open it up occasionally for reflection and guidance. I've never met Vanda, but I take yoga instruction from one of her students. Vanda was a wise woman and it shows in her writing and through her students. Some of the customer reviews posted here are rather negative, but I realize where they are coming from. The editor's note implies that this is a book on yoga instruction. It is not. Vanda even says in her book (not a direct quote) that it seems to be a fad now to write yoga instruction books, and she didn't want to do that. But she had many people press her into sharing her wisdom in writing. I'm so glad that Vanda shared her gentle wisdom in this book before she passed on. This book is an excellent addition to one's current yoga practice, as well as a primer for someone who wants to get started with yoga. Really, any person of any age or gender will benefit from this easy to read, inspired, wise, and thoughtful book!

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Inspirational Yoga Book, July 26, 2003

By 

Hummingbird "inameadow" (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awakening the Spine: The Stress-Free New Yoga that Works with the Body to Restore Health, Vitality and Energy (Paperback)

This is not so much a technique, how-to book. It is more about the spirit of yoga. It's beautiful pictures and wonderful meditations on the meaning or intentions of the poses illustrates and deepens an understanding of yoga and meditation. There are three parts to the book. The first part takes up the majority of the book (125 pages). It's called "the Story of Stories" and is about the philosophy of yoga. The second part called "The Asanas" is about 34 pages. It is where the poses are illustrated through drawings and photographs and described in short paragraphs. I would not recommend it as the sole source for beginners, however, it would make a great supplement to a yoga class or videotape/dvd. The third section is called, "Breathing" and is 8 pages long. It has excellent pictures that illustrate the concepts described in this section. A list of references and an index greet you at the end. The reference lists 32 books. Ranging from "Disc Regeneration" by O.J. Ressel to Deepak Chopra's "Quantum Healing," to "Symbolism in Greek Mythology" by Paul Diel, to " The Revival of Qui." by Kunio Miura, to F.J. Bueche's "Understanding the World of Physics," and Elisabeth Ripely's "Leonardo da Vinci. A Biography."

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Beautiful Yoga Book, November 10, 2001

By 

Miss Pam (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awakening the Spine: The Stress-Free New Yoga that Works with the Body to Restore Health, Vitality and Energy (Paperback)

This is the only book I own which I never lend out. I never know when I'm going to need a boost in my yoga practice and in my consciousness. Scaravelli was an extraordinary women. Her grace and intelligence permeate every page of this book.
I would not recommend this book for instructional purposes, except as an addition to ones practice. Scaravelli's techniques are unusual, but they are the techniques I find myself returning to over and over. This book makes sense on many levels.