Customer Reviews

Maran Illustrated Yoga

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

 

 

I've been looking for the perfect book on yoga to give to my mother, who after a stroke finds herself able to navigate about quite well, but unable to do any kind of exercises besides walking and swimming.

After looking at a variety of yoga books (see my other reviews), this clearly is the one. I've been using it myself (just testing it out!) and want to keep one for myself - and recommend it to friends.

Why is it so good?

It is designed for all users - beginners, seniors, children and off and on yoga folks like myself.

There are full color illustrations for every move - arrows show how to get into different positions and how to get out.

Sections are divided by sitting, reclining, standing -- very nice for those who only want to do one kind of pre-stretch or yoga program (sitting, for my mother)

The front has detailed explanations and photos of each stand, divided into sections. Easy to read, great photos again with the little arrows telling users how to get from one pose to the next.

After this, there are beginner and intermediate practices using the photos. If you are supposed to be doing a Little Boat pose as part of a program, you have a little picture and an easy cross references if you need to be reminded of the details.

Nice index in the back. I'd love to see either a second version with more programs (I'm way too lazy to make my own) or a set of cards with the photos for those who travel (I'd be more likely to make out my own program with a deck of cards!)

Excellent book, worth the price.

I am very pleased with my purchase. I am new to yoga and found that videos go too fast for me and don't explain the postures and purpose of the poses enough. I can't afford continual classes (which would be great), so instead I took a 2 week series of 10 EASY classes and then bought this book. And I understand yoga poses, finally.

I recommend the classes first because the book doesn't use the same Sanskrit names for poses as they did in class (or even all the same English translations). However, the book thoroughly explains each posture and even has arrows over the photos to show which body parts should be pushing (EXTREMELY helpful for me!!). And each pose gets 3-4 photos detailing the progression of the body. Some Photoshop work also shows movement. The photos are wonderfully easy to understand.

The front section of the book has some brief historical and breathing info- not great but better than nothing. The back has some very useful sequences to follow that continually reference page numbers for correct pose posture (another stellar feature). I follow these sequences at my own painfully slow pace, constantly referencing posture pages for when to exhale and when to inhale and how to hold my shoulders, etc. Its great to have all that info in one place. This is a great way to learn yoga without being rushed.

I also looked at "Hatha Yoga Illustrated" in the store and while it had names I recognized and some basic poses, I determined much of it was too advanced for me. I think the Maran book does a better job covering a ton of poses and correct posturing and breathing, even if it doesn't names all the poses right.

Just starting out at Yoga, and needing visuals other than video, I found this book very adept at helping me learn the poses. I have learned which ones do best for my impaired mobility in my back, and will be eager to learn as many as possible to be more flexible. The great photos, and precise instruction, and optional adaptions make this a book I will be able to use from beginner to accomplished yoga.

"Health is wealth. Peace of mind is happiness. Yoga shows the way." ~Swami Vishnu-Devananda

Maran Illustrated Yoga is a complete introduction to yoga postures and styles of yoga. Whether you are interested in Bhakti, Hatha, Karma, Jnana or Mantra Yoga, there is something for everyone. Do you want to focus on self-discipline or mantras?

Is meditation important to you for a more relaxing lifestyle? This is the first book I've found that covers the types of yoga and then explains the variations within each discipline. So, Hatha yoga also has many styles - like Power Yoga/Ashtanga or Kundalini Yoga, both of which I've tried and enjoyed.

Yoga can improve your mood, reduce stress, improve mental functions, improve your self-confidence and reduce pain in your body. The emphasis on breathing helps to release tension from the body, while the exercises improve flexibility and strength.

New to Yoga? There is a complete list of yoga clothes and props. There is also advice on how to find a yoga class.

Highlights include:

Introduction to Yoga - explains how it started
Muscular System and Skeletal Systems- pictures
Tips for Yoga Practice
Breathing Exercises
Pictures of all the Poses with detailed instruction on the same page

While you may feel more inclined to do yoga with an instructor or while watching a video, this book will introduce you to the postures. If you have been practicing yoga for many years, you may find you can take your practice to new depths through reading the details of each pose.

Chapter 15 gives advice on how to create a personal yoga practice, complete with instructions and pictures.

This entire book is a beautiful celebration of yoga and all its varied possibilities. Highly recommended to new or experienced yogis, teachers or students.

One of the enlightening aspects of this book is it gives names for all the poses, which is wonderful if you have been looking for a detailed resource with pictures.

~The Rebecca Review

My husband and I are trying to find something else other than swimming as an exercise. We swim often but with two preschoolers, it is hard to get moving in the mornings and out of the house to the local pool. We discovered this book and now we can practice yoga in the comfort of our own home. And it's fascinating and informative and let's say, invigorating!

I am new to Yoga. I have heard of it. But like a lot of people, I don't think it's "real exercise." I know, I know. I discovered that after we've done so many stretches and poses ~~ that it's actually exercise AND better yet, I've been sleeping a lot better since we've taken up yoga!

This book is beautifully photographed and the instructions are clear and precise. They are also easy to follow. What is even more helpful is at the back they have guides that you can follow ~~ like beginner practice 1, beginner practice 2, and so on. And every pose has a description of what it does and what it is for. It is extremely helpful to a novice like me!

My husband owns another yoga book and we both prefer this one over the other! If you're looking for something to supplement your exercise regimen, this book would be an excellent start!

3-2-06

Did not like this book. Most exercises in the book had cautions not to do if you had a back problem. Got the book to help with a back problem. Not good.

This book has wonderful photographs as well as proper instructions on how to perform breathing exercises as well as Asanas. I use it to help guide me during the classes I teach with adults. I wonderful and practical book.

i recently bought the "maran illustrated yoga". i paid the price for a new conditioned book. however, when i received book, the front and backcover were folded and the inside of the front cover had a long piece of tape. also, the inside cover had a couple of folds too. This is the first time that I received a book that looked used, not new.