Yoga Journal's Yoga Basics : The Essential Beginner's Guide to Yoga For a Lifetime of Health and Fitness [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Mara Carrico (Author), Editors of Yoga Journal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1997

Welcome to the world of yoga.

Yoga Journal's Yoga Basics offers the first truly comprehensive introduction to the practice of this popular ancient healing art. Produced by a teacher of yoga for over 25 years and the editors of Yoga Journal, it offers all the inspiration and instruction you'll need to develop your own at-home yoga practice. Beginning with an exploration of the roots of yoga, the book goes on to describe a variety of hatha yoga styles-- Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kundalini, and others-- so you can choose the method that's appropriate for you. Featuring easy-to-follow instructions and 140 black-and-white photographs to illustrate the postures, Yoga Basics provides a thorough understanding not only of the mechanics of technique but of all the important elements that make yoga so much more than a fitness regime. In this unique book you'll find:

* Tips on the use of the breath in yoga practice and breath awareness exercises
* Guidelines for regular practice, including health and safety considerations
* Dozens of illustrated postures-- standing, seated, supine, and prone-- with their benefits described
* Sample Yoga routines that can be done in as little as 15 minutes per day
* Instruction on the practice and power of meditation

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Carrico, the choreographer of Jane Fonda's yoga video, and the staff of the well-respected Yoga Journal have produced both a good introduction to the history of yoga and helpful instruction in a range of basic poses. The book describes nine primary varieties of Hatha Yoga for the general reader and suggests ways of finding a good teacher. The beginner's postures are described in thorough fashion, with photos of correct and incorrect techniques. The book also includes recommended sets of postures, depending on the time of day, and advice on meditation. A class or video may still provide the best introduction to yoga, but this book is both an excellent complement to other instruction and a good reference source in itself.?Norman Oder, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

The world-renowned, award-winning Yoga Journal is the premier yoga publication in this country and has produced a number of best-selling videos on yoga practice. Mara Carrico has more than a quarter century of experience teaching dance, movement therapy, and yoga and is the choreographer of Jane Fonda's Yoga Exercise Workout video. She writes frequently on the subject of yoga and Eastern disciplines and conducts workshops around the world.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• ISBN-10: 0805045716
• ASIN: B0001OOTS4
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,694,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just like the title says--Yoga Basics, October 16, 2000

By 

Kenneth Robinson (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yoga Journal's Yoga Basics: The Essential Beginner's Guide to Yoga For a Lifetime of Health and Fitness (Paperback)

This book is a competent introduction to yoga. Contrary to one reviewer, the section on yoga philosophy is short and to the point.

The section on yoga teachers and styles can be very useful in helping to decide what yoga style you might wish to explore.

The section (the bulk of the book) on yoga postures is adequate but unexceptional. The descriptions are ok, but the photos are small and not especially clear. No variations are shown for advanced practicioners or for those with limited flexibility.

There is a brief description of yoga props, but no information on how to incorporate them into your practice.

The section on sample yoga routines is mediocre.

This book is best as an inexpensive supplement to a good yoga class or video tape. The best beginners yoga book I've seen is "Yoga for Beginners" by Mark Ansari and Liz Lark.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clearly written book about yoga philosophy and practice., March 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Yoga Journal's Yoga Basics: The Essential Beginner's Guide to Yoga For a Lifetime of Health and Fitness (Paperback)

This title is a handy resource book for practicing yoga, although the spine design makes it difficult to keep flat on the floor near your yoga mat. However, the posture photos and descriptions are easy to follow. The history and philosophy of yoga are written very accessibly, as are the approaches to meditation. I enjoy this book as a yoga student of 8 years, and am glad a yoga teacher recommended it. I keep signing it out at my library, but it's so handy and succinct I want to give it a permanent place on my bookshelf.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yoga Journal's Yoga Basics : The Essential Beginner's Guide, May 2, 2001

By 

Daniel Rohr (Shakopee, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yoga Journal's Yoga Basics: The Essential Beginner's Guide to Yoga For a Lifetime of Health and Fitness (Paperback)

The word "Essential" says it all in terms of the usefulness of this book. This is a must have for the person that wants to put the right foot forward in understanding and developing a personal Yoga practice, or for the individual that hopes to gain a better historical understanding of this ancient practice. In a concise fashion the reader will acquire the tools to develop an individual practice. The reader will also find answers in identifying an instructor and style of Yoga that is right for them. Clear photographs and detailed instructions round out this most excellent and "Essential" resource.