Yoga Self-Taught [Paperback]

Andre Van Lysebeth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999

It's like having a yoga teacher in your own home! Van Lysebeth, with over 50 years experience as a yoga instructor, describes more than 200 exercises and postures, using over 100 photographs and numerous illustrations that show both the right and wrong way to perform them. Unlike other yoga books which show only the completed posture, these illustrations show the intermediate steps for attaining the final postures. For beginning students, this classic book is a perfect introduction to yoga.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Weiser Books; Rev Upd Su edition (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578631270
• ISBN-13: 978-1578631278
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #314,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best for facts with no BS., January 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (midwestern America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yoga Self Taught (Paperback)

During my youthful "Searching Phase" I delved into Yoga headfirst. But I quickly became annoyed by all the unexplained cosmology and philosophical claptrap associated with it. Like Richard Hittleman's fine books, Andre VanLysbeth's 'Yoga, self-taught' is a breath of unsullied truth. Keeping in mind that, "An ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory", VanLysbeth gives us the neccesary fundamentals of Hatha (physical) Yoga without pretense. He presents scientific reasons for Yoga's benifits in a straightforward manner that any layman can understand. The illustrations and photography is good considering it was done so long ago, and is certainly clear and informative...as illustrations should. For the sceptic this is the BEST BOOK you can find and is well suited to the Western mind. It is not as pretty as the "Sivananda Companion to YOGA" (also a great book)but "YOGA self-taught" should be in every students library for reference and clear detailed instruction. It is a terrible shame that this book is out of print. I think the book is SO IMPORTANT that I have personally bought many copies to give to friends and hope that somehow by writing this review can help stir renewed interest in it. Perhaps if enough people realize how great this volume is, the publisher will decide to re-release it and keep it and the vitality of true Yoga alive.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best practical Yoga book for the westerner, February 13, 2001

By 

Ashwini Aragam (Worcester, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yoga Self-Taught (Paperback)

My uncle introduced me to this book when I was 15. 21 years later, after going through many books, I don't find a book parallel to this. - The book is aimed for the westerner who has little time to practice. - No knowledge of yoga previously is required - A series of asanas are outlined in a scientific way to cover most parts of the body, each asanas complementing the previous one - For a book published first in the 70s, this book had the most photographs with ALL steps needing one; Every asana was described with possible mis-steps (with photographs); the side effects one feels if done incorrectly; the benefits; Such descriptions are still not routine in books of Yoga now

All in all, a must for a practitioner and one of the best books; For 21 years I have practiced Yoga thanks to this book. Hailing from India, I found no other book as instructional. A couple of years earlier, I was trying to find this book but it was out of print. I would bring extra copies of it from India and distribute it here. I am glad, the publisher have awoken, they have done a great service.

The sequence in this book consists of just about 10 asanas and a few breathing techniques. This makes it ideal for the practitioner to fold the practise into 30 minutes when there is not much time. A piece of advice - if you are new to yoga it may be a bit challenging to follow the routine. Also I started with this when I was 15 years young!

Its main focus is the physical aspect of Yoga. It covers little on Pranayama though correct breathing is emphasised and outlined for every asana. There is an exclusive chapter on correct Yogic breathing. I remember and quote often an interesting narration in the book where a stressed out man during a visit feels better after breathing correctly for a few minutes.

It won't be the complete or an exhaustive source for a Yoga practitioner. But it serves its purpose to introduce Yoga to the Westerner who is short on time and looks to Yoga as an alternative means for keeping fit and more later.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent book on yoga, July 14, 2001

By 

Anthony "mrwhy" (San Gabriel Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yoga Self-Taught (Paperback)

if you want to learn yoga from a book, then this is the best book you can buy, hands down no questions asked. in fact even if you take yoga there is a good chance that this book is better than the teacher you have. it really is that good. it starts with explanations on the benefits of yoga, the reasons it is so good for you etc. this section is fanatastic and in and of itself would have made the book well worth the price. but then you reach the section where the book describes how to do each pose and this is where things really shine. each pose is broken down to the smallest details. and even better, just about each step of each pose has picture. not only that but the book explains common mistakes made, and there are pictures of the mistakes!!!! in trying the poses, i have yet to run into a question that is not addressed by the text and by a picture. you can really tell that the author knows how to teach yoga. in fact, this isn't just the best yoga book i have read, it is the best exercise book i have read. one word of warning, when you first see each pose you might think, i can never do that. don't worry. the author explains what modifications you can do to make the pose "easier" (and of course there are pictures to show you what to do) and the author explains that patience is the key word. keep gently trying and you will succeed. all in all a must own book