Customer Reviews

Yoga Mala

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4 star:		(1)
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I found this book to be an excellent source on both the philosophy of Ashtanga yoga as well as a great how to of moving from one asana to the next in the Primary Series. Do not buy this book if you are trying to learn the Primary Series from a book. Although the level of detail in this book is great, Ashtanga is better learn watching/learning from a live person, or if you are really pressed for money and/or do not have an Ashtanga teacher near you get a good video (David Swenson, Richard Freeman, John Scott, and others have excellent tapes out). With that said, this book is a wonderful reference tool and offers exact breath counts. In Ashtanga, every movement is associated with a breath, this book provides information on how to get in and out of every posture in the primary series following the breath (i.e. how many inhalations and exhalations should be accomplished moving between postures). This book also offers great detail as it relates to living the yoga you practice. While I may not agree with Jois' entire philosophy, it is a great deal of knowledge to be gained from this book. This book is a must read if you are an Ashtanga practioner or teacher. This book will help you deepen your practice both physically and spiritually. I would also suggest this book for anyone curious about the philosophy of Ashtanga yoga.

This is one of the essential yoga texts. No serious yoga student can be without it. It was originally published privately in a short run a few years back and sold thousands of copies with no advertising. The new edition has a helpful new forward by the translator that gives more in-depth info on how Jois came to study yoga inthe 1920's. Beautifully designed, flawlessly translated, and amazing historical photographs. With all the silly yoga books out there, we should be grateful that Jois and some others still maintain high standards.

This book is a must for ashtanga practitioners, having been written by the guru of this form of yoga, Sri K Pattabhi Jois. The forward by Eddie Stern provides an interesting background of the life of Pattabhi Jois and how he came to teach western students.
The opening chapter describes what is meant by 'ashtanga' (eight limbs) of yoga, with valuable information regarding yogic philosophy, lifestyle and dietary concerns, quoting from the ancient texts.
Following is a detailed description of the vinyasa/asana practice.
Ashtanga is a challenging and methodical practice of yoga, with emphasis on correct method; from the first sun salutation to the final resting position, there is exact placement of the gaze, the timing of the breath, and sequence of movement.
Those with an interest in yoga generally, or who practice a different form, may also find this book of value, since yoga is yoga and the ultimate "goal" is the same. It is my feeling, however, that without an existing practice and enthusiasm for this method, the book may seem a little dry in the last section.

I have had a copy with me for years, it is an invaluable reference.

This book is a must for any Ashtanga practicioner. The beginning of the book describes the philosophy. The rest shows pictures of Jois and grandson Sharath in the poses as well as detailed explainations.

Yoga Mala is written by a living legend with many years of practice and teaching experience. I would recommend this book only to those already familiar with Ashtanga, as parts of it will make no sense unless you are. Indispensable knowledge is interspersed with lovely throwbacks to earlier days in India, eg. the part where it is suggested a nice flat floor smeared with cow dung is essential to any good practice space. Gotta love it!

I have a personal library of about 50 yoga books. This one is not one of my top ten, but it is a soild book. It's like the "Light on Yoga" of the Ashtanga world.

I wouldn't recommend this book unless you wanted a book specifically about Ashtanga, otherwise their are so many other better books on yoga. If you want a book about Ashtanga, then this and David Swenson's books are the best on that style of yoga.

This book is really the guide for the serious yoga pratictioner! It leads you through yoga as a self-discovery. It is not filled up with all this new age fluff. The book is written from the years of experience Pattabi Jois has in Asthanga Yoga and does not scare away the novice. If you want to begin your path in the art and science of yoga buy and read and reread this book. You will then search a teacher that will complement the rich and well paced information on Asthanga Yoga and its benefits that this book contains.

I love this book! The asana descriptions are very detailed and clear and the photographs that accompany the text really help as well. The information on drishtis and bandhas is invaluable as are the notes on the benefits of the poses. I think this is a great book for someone familiar with ashtanga yoga or for anyone interested in seriously advancing their yoga practice.

Sure to be a classic. Very delightful and well written book. It covers the elemental foundation of yoga with emphasis on Ashtanga. Discusses philosophy with inclusion of spiritual elements of yoga. There are black and white photos of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in his day doing various asanas with full description of how to get into the postures. I got chills while viewing them feeling honor and humility to be part of this great movement. The read is light hearted and uncomplicated. It transitions seamlessly from one topic to the next fully integrated. A reference for years to come.

This is one of the books that should be read by anyone who is practicing yoga, especialy Ashtanga.
The book is written in easy-to-understand english, so it won't be a problem to read for people who are not that good in english.
It's really a must have book for every yogi and yogini.