Customer Reviews

Instructing Hatha Yoga

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the last decade, yoga has become a booming business. Many people have made the shift from practitioner to yoga instructor. This has created a huge boon to yoga teacher training programs - many who are churning out 'certified' instructors at a rather breakneck speed. While these teacher training programs can get a someone on the path to teaching, oftentimes, a new instructor needs additional guidance and education in order to progress. It was only a matter of time before books geared towards the art of instructing yoga would become available.

"Instructing Hatha Yoga" by Kathy Lee Kappmeier and Diane M. Ambrosini is THE essential guide for instructors - no matter what your experience level. I cannot even begin to elaborate on how much information is presented in this practical and highly useable manual. It is chock full with everything a new (or seasoned) instructor could want. Everything that you could dream of is covered here: types of yoga, creating a class environment, music, safety, pranayama, anatomy, class frameworks, sanskrit pronunciation, sample classes, asanas, adjustments, modificiatons........and more!

The section with the asanas is especially helpful - the pose is pictured, along with sanskrit pronunciation, benefits, cautions, verbal cues, adjustments, modifications and kinematics. There are even pictures of an instructor adjusting as well as photos with props and modifications. This covers every aspect of the pose brilliantly. Nothing is left out. To top it all off, the authors have included an excellent DVD, which demonstrates some of the poses covered plus how to adjust common issues in each pose shown! This DVD is well produced with good demonstrations and a clear narrative. It is clear that these women have really done their homework. The amount of effort put into this book amazes me. It is obvious that they not only know yoga, but really want to help you become more knowledgeable as well.

"Instructing Hatha Yoga" has so much to rave about that I cannot recommend it highly enough. I would give it 10 stars if I could. This is the BEST guide that I have come across so far. I urge every instructor to run and buy this book. You will not regret it.

I am a certified yoga instructor, and I am always looking for new tools to use in my class. This book covers everything one needs to be a successful and inspiring yoga instructor - from class environments to adjustments to anatomy. I have learned some great new modifications and innovative verbal cues that my students have responded well to. I highly recommend this book to certified and aspiring instructors.

Finally, a book that combines the esoteric aspect of teaching yoga with a hands-on approach. Chock-full of information, this text begs to be underlined, highlighted and noted. I especially found the recommended asana adjustments and verbal cues helpful. New or prospective teachers will be grateful for the emphasis on sanskrit and the pronunciation guide. Although the photos are helpful, the included DVD further clarifies suggested modifications and adjustments.

I've been a certified yoga instructor for about one year, and I plan to carefully study this book now and keep it as a reference for years to come. I've found a whole new set of tools to add to my teaching bag of tricks, and I'm confident my students will reap the rewards.

For all you Yoga Instructors out there, this manual is a must read. I refer to it daily and it has helped me tremedously to understand how the body moves, how to adjust students safely, and all kinds of very interesting tips on how to be a great instructor. Everything is clearly explained and demonstrated and you even get a DVD that explains a bunch of frequently used poses. This manual is very well written and it has (and still is) helped me to acquire the confidence and knowledge to become a better instructor and to further my personal practice as well. I can't say enough great things about this manual, so don't hesitate a moment, get yourself a copy today!

This book (and DVD) is an extraordinary resource for teachers and students. The authors have done something unique with this and I highly recommend it to anyone trying to develop their own practice or teach others. Text and photographs are detailed but clear and explicit. Extremely useful in all aspects. It is just an excellent production!

Great book!!! There are many important sections for yoga teachers and serious students. The chapter
that individually outlines more than 60 asanas with good pictures, descriptions, cautions, verbal cues, adjustments and kinematics is very helpful. Other chapters lay out much of what I teach in a very easy
to follow manner. Sure, you get some mention of the monks in caves 6,000 years ago. But there is a
good outline of yoga types, teaching methods, breathing, anatomy, class framework and suggested
sample classes. Of course - there is a not so special DVD. ~Namaste~

I bought this book for myself because I practice yoga at home and wanted to make sure that I was not compromising the position (asana). I hoped that this book would offer detailed and thorough descriptions of not only how to get into the asana but also how to use props, etc. I am completely satisfied not only with the text but with the dvd. The information is exactly what I needed and, although I can see how it would be a huge benefit to anyone who is teaching yoga, I would recommend it to anyone who is doing yoga at home without the objective assistance of an instructor.

For years I searched for the perfect accompanying book for my Hatha Yoga teacher training program. I went through many other books until I finally found IHY. Short of writing my own training manual, IHY includes all of the major areas of question or concern for any yoga teacher trainee.
Tracey L. Ulshafer, author "Butterfly"

This book is a great resource for a teacher or an aspiring teacher, I wish it was one of our required materials for a 200 hour certification. The book not only suggests great verbal cues for poses, it spells out all functions of anatomy within and asana, which is another great way to feel and explain postures.

This has become a wonderful resource for me in preparing for classes. It has clear instructions and is helpful for pointing out things to students - many I learned in my teacher training but have been forgotten. The only thing I don't use about the book is the muscle groups involved at the end of each asana - but I imagine that would be very helpful for some folks and maybe one day, for me too.