How Yoga Works [Paperback]

Michael Roach (Author), CHRISTIE MCNALLY (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

The secrets of how yoga works to make us truly whole are revealed here in a delightful story based on how these precious teachings reached Tibet form their home in India, over a thousand years ago.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Geshe Michael Roach is the first Westerner in 600 years to pass the rigorous test for the title of Geshe, or Master of Buddhism, at Sera Mey Tibetan Monastery, after 20 years of study. He is an honor graduate of Princeton University and has received the Presidential Scholar medal at the White House. Geshe Michael is the author of over 30 translations of ancient texts, as well as books such as the international best seller, The Diamond Cutter and The Tibetan Book of Yoga.

Christie McNally is a translator and teacher of ancient Tibetan and Sanskrit texts. She is a graduate of New York University and has trained at Tibetan monasteries in Nepal and India. She is a professor at Diamond Mountain University, and has studied yoga extensively with some of the greatest Indian, Tibetan and Western masters of yoga. She recently completed the Great Retreat of three years, three months, and three days in the high desert of Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 406 pages
• Publisher: Diamond Cutter Press (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976546906
• ISBN-13: 978-0976546900
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga
  • #40 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Stress

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed and deep yoga instruction hidden inside a charming story, August 12, 2006

By 

Muir, Alexander (Seattle , WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Yoga Works (Paperback)

This book is a practical explanation on the deep practices of yoga, encased in an easy to read tale. The protagonist - a young woman - makes a nice change from the bearded, middle-aged male that so often is the 'star' of yoga stories. Through the chapters of the book, the storylines cover a) specific directions on how to relate to a yoga practice, b) commentaries on the Yoga Sutras of Master Patanjali, and c) how the practice of yoga actually can transform the world around you, from a prison to a school and beyond.

Like some other reviewers mention, the story is at first glance a bit simple, this is just the outer layer of a very rich and illuminating book.

One of the nicest things about it is that it describes yoga without reference to any specific God or religion, in simple and compelling terms that us modern people can probably accept and deal with. All together, its a great work, I highly recommend it.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would!, August 25, 2006

By 

Pollyhyper "pollyhyper" (Milford, DE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Yoga Works (Paperback)

I just finished my first reading (there will be many more) of "How Yoga Works" last night and it was bittersweet. To the reviewer who felt corny admitting that it "changed my life," you are not alone. This is not the first book to delve into the whole of yoga, but it is the first one I have read that does it so accessibly. The authors' concept of writing this book in the form of a novel makes it more attractive to a greater audience than past attempts. And in a society where the physical poses of yoga have become so popular, I think it is more important than ever to provide insight into the rest of yoga.

I have felt changes in myself and my thinking since finishing the very first chapter. As I said, now that I have finished reading it in its entirety, I plan to re-read, one chapter at a time, meditating upon the contents of each chapter before beginning another, as I felt like I was really rushing myself through some very important ideas in the first go-round, because I was so excited by the book.

If you don't like this book, I will give you your money back myself!

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Easy access to the Sutras, November 9, 2006

By 

Kevin Flynn (Ottawa, Ontario) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Yoga Works (Paperback)

To try to read and understand Patanjali without knowledge of context and purpose, without a living teacher and community which can show this wisdom incarnated, is almost invariably to invite frustration. The authors of this book use the conceit of a story in the course of which the wisdom of the sutras is unfolded. The translation of the sutras in the story is fresh and accessible. The commentary on them -- in fact the conversation between characters -- expands the reader's understanding. Certain aspects of the story, particularly its closing chapters, require a rather large suspension of disbelief as the tone becomes increasingly like that of a fairy tale. At times, too, the plot plods forward slowly. Although some may cavil at the fact that not all of the sutras are presented and that those that are are not unfolded in order of their appearance in Patanjali, the overall presentation is certainly faithful to the spirit of the whole. No one is likely to regret having read the book and some will surely benefit from it.