Kripalu Yoga: A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat (Paperback)

~ (Author), Senior Teaching Staff of Kripalu Center (Author), Robert Bull (Illustrator), Paul Conrath (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

“Over an extraordinary thirty year history, Kripalu Center has been a pioneer in combining authentic yoga with a contemporary Western lifestyle.” —John Abbott, President, Yoga Journal

From the senior teachers of the world-renowned Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health–the largest yoga and retreat center in North America–comes this comprehensive guide to the unique and influential Kripalu method, which emphasizes individual growth over outward perfection of form, making it accessible to people of all ages, fitness levels, and body types.

KRIPALU YOGA
A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat

Beginning with step-by-step “experiences” that teach essential body and breath awareness, Kripalu Yoga features fully illustrated routines for beginners and intermediate students , including Kripalu’s easy-to-follow “press point” instructions. For advanced students, there is a broad menu of additional poses to increase strength, flexibility, and challenge.

Far more than an exercise program, Kripalu Yoga also teaches the lifestyle practices and energy techniques that make yoga a powerful catalyst for physical healing, psychological growth, and spiritual awakening.

About the Author

Richard Faulds, M.A., J.D., has practiced yoga and meditation for more than 20 years. A former president of Kripalu (1998-2001), he currently chairs the Kripalu Board of Trustees. As one of Kripalu's senior teachers, he has also incorporated the first-person experiences of many colleagues and long-time practitioners. For more information about Kripalu Yoga, visit www.kripalu.org.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (December 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553380974
• ISBN-13: 978-0553380972
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,107 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yoga for all!, March 17, 2006

By	Sparkle Reed "smartmouth" (MILWAUKEE, WI USA) - See all my reviews

A few years ago, I had the good fortune to take a class with a Kripalu teacher. I had heard of it but was very unfamiliar with the style. The class was a pleasant surprise - there was no ego in the class - not with the teacher or the students. We were all very different with various abilities and limitations - but rather than dwelling on it, we were encouraged to embrace ourselves exactly as we were. The emphasis was on acceptance - not some lofty physical goal.

"Kripalu Yoga" by Richard Faulds captures the spirit of Kripalu yoga in a beautiful manner. Kripalu means 'compassionate' and this is an apt description of this style of yoga. Named after Swami Kripalu, a guru whose teachings were brought to America in the 60's by disciple Yogi Amrit Desai, this gentle yoga form encourages breathwork, inward focus and meditation in motion.

Faulds gives clear instructions to help the reader begin to apply these principles to their own yoga practice. Breathing exercises are featured and here you'll find the ujjayi breathing (ocean breathing or "victorious breath") clearly explained. For some, this is a difficult breath to master - but the techniques in this book help anyone comprehend how to tap into it.

There are many pictures of poses along with good instructions. Routines are included as well. I also enjoyed reading the stories of other Kripalu student's experiences. It certainly will convince you of the benefits of yoga! Also featured in this book is information on chakras, fasting, yoga philosophy and spirituality, and meditation. While this may sound like a lot to process, Faulds explains everything an easy going and gentle manner. There is nothing here that feels intimidating at all.

No matter what shape you are in, no matter what background you come from, no matter what spiritual belief system you are tuned in with, Kripalu is the most accessible form of yoga. I would especially recommend this book for people who are new to yoga and a bit put off by the acrobats that are now dominating the current yoga scene.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for those interested in learning about yoga or kripalu yoga, February 10, 2006

By	Gary Halperin (Sarasota, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book captures the full essence of Kripalu Yoga. I am a Kripalu Yoga Teacher and Meditation Teacher (feelbetternowyoga.com), and I think Richard Faulds has done an amazing job of explaining what Kripalu yoga is and what makes Kripalu yoga unique.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who teaches or practices Kripalu yoga.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend, August 13, 2006

By	Jan Byrd (Lexington, Kentucky United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Along with affirming the other reviews on this book, I would like to add that I have recently begun teaching yoga and have found this book to be an excellent tool for developing my class formats and information sharing. There is a wealth of information, presented in clearly stated, understandable and comprehensive text, that I can quickly commit to memory to share with my students, or jot down in an outline to reference during class instruction. Having purchased and read volumes of books on yoga, this is the first I have come across that has been helpful in that regard. Kripalu is a beautiful form of yoga that brings the true essence of the practice to life.