The Eight Human Talents: Restore the Balance and Serenity within You with Kundalini Yoga [Paperback]

Gurmukh (Author), Cathryn Michon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2001

Gurmukh, an internationally renowned yoga teacher, outlines the spiritual and physical practices of Kundalini Yoga, which she has taught for the last thirty years. With illustrated, step-by-step instructions, she teaches the basic principles of the ancient art of yoga, and explains the eight chakras, which are the energy centers of our bodies, and the source of the eight human talents.

Kundalini Yoga is a great way to get your body and mind into shape. In The Eight Human Talents, Gurmukh gives you all the tools you need to increase your creativity, intuition, compassion, health, and prosperity. All you need is a belief in the possibility of change and a commitment of as little as three minutes a day.

From teachers and waiters to Hollywood celebrities, Gurmukh has helped thousands of people find happiness through the healing movements and meditations of Kundalini Yoga -- and she can help you, too!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gurmukh is a pioneer in yoga and the mind-body-spirit connection. Based in L.A., Gurmukh teaches Kundalini yoga, meditation, and pre- and post-natal care. In 1983, she founded the Kundalini Yoga Center, where she is a teacher, manager and course director. Among her clientele are Madonna, Courtney Love, Annette Bening, David Duchovny, Melissa Etheridge, and Rosanna Arquette. She has been featured in Vogue, W, and InStyle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; 1 edition (September 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060954655
• ISBN-13: 978-0060954659
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS AN AWESOME YOGA BOOK!, January 28, 2002

By 

"decotiis" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eight Human Talents: Restore the Balance and Serenity within You with Kundalini Yoga (Paperback)

This is a very open minded book - inclusive of all religions, with the underlying belief that Kundalini yoga and meditation can serve to deepen all spiritual practices.

In this book, Gurmukh devotes a chapter to each of the chakras and discusses the strengths and shadow sides of each energy center. Each chapter tells stories and gives examples, either from Gurmukh's life or from the lives of her students. When discussing the second chakra she gives an account of a man who felt that he was addicted to sex - and then she discusses the path he took towards healing. In the chapter which discusses the third chakra she relates a story about a woman who was consumed by anger and how focusing her healing energy on that chakra brought her to a new level of health and well-being (the woman had AIDS as well). In the chapter on the 6th chakra she tells about a woman who decided to take anti-depressants after yoga helped her realize that she was clinically depressed. Gurmukh also tells her own stories of addictions, pain and healing. Each chapter also gives examples of specific exercises to do for each chakra.

This book is a great addition to any yoga library.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful stuff!, April 19, 2006

By 

jumpy1 (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eight Human Talents: Restore the Balance and Serenity within You with Kundalini Yoga (Paperback)

While i appreciate the reviewer who offered the information on yogi bhajan's story, I think it's important to note that the world is full of successful people who achieved greatness after hitting a profound low - unemployed, powerless, impoverished, etc. at which time they became inspired to create something extraordinary. And, having practiced many forms of yoga (Iyengar is my favorite) I still find that doing Kundalini once in a while has a profound effect. I can't do it often because it is tremendously stimulating and I get mentally agitated if i try to do it more than 2 days in a row. But just once clears up tensions and previously unnoticed physical problems of the prior weeks/months! I love Gurmukh and highly recommend her teachings - with the only reservation being that one should be very in touch with how it feels as it goes along, so as not to overdo.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It'll get you jazzed about doing kundalini, whether you're a beginner or a teacher, January 25, 2006

By 

Marcy Harbut - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Eight Human Talents: Restore the Balance and Serenity within You with Kundalini Yoga (Paperback)

This book is not a comprehensive beginner's manual for kundalini yoga, though it does introduce some simple but effective meditations. Instead, Gurmukh shares stories from her own journey into awareness, and those of her students who have changed their lives with kundalini yoga and meditation. Her personal insights and uplifting stories make this book a worthwhile read, whether you're just getting started with kundalini yoga, or if your individual practice could use a healthy and uplifting boost.

I've been reading small snippets of this book in the early morning hours before going to group sadhana, and her little nuggets of wisdom help set my intention for my meditations and the rest of my day. I plan to give copies of this book to my families and friends to introduce them to the technology, and help them understand why I have committed to incorporating KY into my life.