Customer Reviews

Dancing the Body of Light

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With detailed descriptions of many asanas, one might think of this as purely a technical book, but it also has a modern, rich philosophy that has been featured in Yoga Journal and taught and refined for decades around the world.

The 7 vital principals can be appreciated by a student beginning yoga or by the accomplished yogi with great benefit. Dona is a magnificent teacher and this book is a beautiful, powerful result of a seasoned practice and experience with reknown teachers...

By following the instructions on asanas from this book I found that I was moving awareness according to the directions and that I was developing an incredible amount of awareness inside my body. It was this sensitivity of inner awareness that brought my practice to an internal meditation, not a periforal movement of forcing the body into an asana. The form of the asana develops from the inside not the periphery. It is a wonderfully liberating feeling which I certainly found therapeutic. I feel sure that many practitioners of Yoga have experienced this same wonderful awareness which accounts for the wide apppeal of this book.

Dancing the Body of Light has been an inspiration for my personal yoga practice in the last two years. The photos of the asanas are beautiful and the instructions are very clear. Dona Holleman is able to convey how we can go beyond our physical body and find the light and joy which comes from tapping into the energy body. This book is an inspiration for all practitioners of yoga.

This is a book which takes the mystery out of yoga. It is a textbook for life, lived fully in the physical body. The asana instructions are elegantly simple, based on a clear understanding of anatomy. However, the unique gift of this book is the author's ability to distill her comprehensive knowledge of this ancient tradition into a compelling mind-body experience which embraces all spiritual traditions. Her seven principles are the yogic exercise for being in the present moment, and when practiced are a gift for a life of freedom.

Dancing the Body of Light was the number one best seller at the fifth annual Yoga Journal Convention held at Estes Park, Colorado October 2000. This book is being received as a thorough, in depth yet easy to read manual on Yoga. Dona Holleman being present at this meeting is considered the teacher of many of the teachers who taught at the Convention. In her 40 years of Yoga experience she developed her own very unique way of practicing/ teaching Yoga. She is a master in her field. Dancing the Body of Light contains her wonderful insights and experience. As one of her students being present at the Convention I would say 'buy this unique book'and be inspired by it like myself and dance the Dance of the Body of Light in YOUR practice!

This is my favorite yoga book with respect to detailed descriptions of how to perform the asanas correctly. For some people, there may be even too much detail. However, where there is a possiblity of injury or not getting the full benefit from a posture, I would hope most people would prefer to err in the direction of too much information rather than not enough. In other words, this book does not have superficial descriptions. In my opinion, this makes it a must own for every yoga practitioner particularly beginners who may be more prone to injury and overdoing things.

This book also contains information on yoga philosophy, the bandhas and kriyas as well as a chapter on pranayama. These chapters are short, provide useful context and good reference material. However, it would be best to study some of these other areas along with a teacher and additional reference material.

Another good introductory yoga book is Judith Lasater's 30 Essential Yoga Poses. This is written more simply, holds the number of poses to 30 and provides a number of useful practice sequences. I don't find it describes the correct way to perform the asanas as well as this book, but it's well done and also includes good notes on fine points for yoga teachers.

If you are serious about your yoga practice, then I don't know of a better book that describes how to perform the asanas correctly. If you are easily overwhelmed by detail, then I would probably try Judith Lasater's book above and get this one when you are more advanced.

Back Care Basics is also a nice introduction to yoga written by a physician for people with back problems. While this is the target audience, it also a good general introduction to Iyengar yoga.

Dancing the Body of Light has been an inspiration for my personal yoga practice in the last two years. The photos of the asanas are beautiful and the instructions are very clear. Dona Holleman is able to convey how we can go beyond our physical body and find the light and joy which comes from tapping into the energy body. This book is an inspiration for all practitioners of yoga.

Ms.Holleman has written a wonderful, comprehensive book for yoga practitioners everywhere. She goes into great detail. The words she uses are inspired, and derive from her deep and long practice. She also demonstrates beautiful postures which illustrate what advanced practitioners do.

For everyone in the US interested in the new edition of this text, Dancing the Flame of Life, we recently came to an agreement with the UK publisher to make it available in the United States. It is now up for pre-orders on Amazon.com: Dancing the Flame of Life: The Vital Principles of Yoga. They should be shipping around the first week of January.

Dona Holleman is an exceptional teacher and writer in the field of Yoga, such that her texts have historically been required reading in our teacher trainings. We're so glad her newest edition is finally available!

For everyone that is still looking for this book, there is a new edition out, "Dancing the Flame of Life." You can order it from the UK.