Yoga for the Three Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice As an Art Form, a Physical Therapy, and a Guiding Philosophy [Paperback]

Srivatsa Ramaswami (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001

Essential reading for those looking to customize their practice to life's changing needs.

 

• Includes sections on vedic chanting, throat breathing, and exercises for women.

• Presents a unique portrait of  T. Krishnamacharya and his teachings.

For 33 years Ramaswami studied with the legendary T. Krishnamacharya, teacher of B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and T.K.V. Desikachar and perhaps the most influential figure in the field of yoga in the last 100 years. Since that time he has developed Krishnamacharya's teaching into what may be the most highly evolved program available for making yoga a way of life, rather than simply a routine. In seventeen chapters Ramaswami lays out the whole philosophy of yoga, including principles for right living, postures, breathing practices, meditation practices, and mental disciplines.

Key to Ramaswami's teaching is the focus on adapting yoga to individual needs and to different stages of life. During the early part of life, learning yoga as a physical art form is most beneficial for the self-confidence and discipline it instills. In middle age, yoga should focus on physical therapy and maintaining optimum health as far into life as possible. In the last stages of life, the practitioner will be ready to focus on the ultimate goal of yoga--true understanding of the philosophy behind it and the realization of truth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The title of this book gives you a good indication of what this excellent book is about. A lot to live up to, but this book lives up to it. The author points out that there have been more books on yoga in the past twenty years than ever before.The author thought that he had something to add to the discussion, and after reading this book, I agree. I strongly recommend this book. It is not for beginners, as the author points out, but can be used as a reference for ongoing practice. It it well written and well organized. The book is great. It encourages the reader to explore the science of yoga, and go beyond the asanas and exercises to expand on the union of yoga."
(Yoga Connoisseur, Online magazine at yogacritic.com )

"Ramaswami, a student for 33 years of the legendary yoga master T. Krishnamacharya, has developed and expanded those teaching to include a key element: the need to take into consideration the individual's stage in life while practicing yoga."
(Networking News, June/July 2001 )

"Individuals ready to devote their lives to the field of yoga will find Yoga for the Three Stages of Life an excellent introduction which blends the usual guide to postures and meditation practices with insights on adapting yoga to individual needs and different stages of life. Young and old receive appropriate discussions of yoga techniques geared to age, sex and ability."
(Reviewer's Bookwatch, May 2001 )

"The book by Sri Srivatsa Ramaswami is much more than a compendium of Asanas; it captures the spirit of the Hindu view of life of which hatha yoga is a part. This is a wonderful book that makes an excellent reference for the practitioner of hatha yoga, and a great reading for the non-practitioner."
(Paramarth Tatwam, Journal of Sringeri Vidya )

". . . Many of the asana variations are seldom seen in most contemporary hatha yoga books. . . . There is much fruit here for the experienced, motivated student to harvest."
(Yoga Journal, July/August 2001 )

"Young, old or in between, this book will give you a complete yoga routine."
(Hinduism Today, September/October 2001 )

"This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, written with the sincerity and wisdom you would expect from a long-time, dedicated student. More experienced students, teachers and Yoga therapists will certainly want a copy of this book in their library."
(Int'l Journal of Yoga Therapy, No. 11, 2001 )

"Yoga for the Three Stages of Life has a clarity and simplicity unlike many of the other books recently published."
(New York Spirit, October & November 2001 )

From the Author

The book contains an in-depth and comprehensive treatment of orthodox Yoga. As a long standing student of the legendary Sri T Krishnamacharya, I have also brought into focus his method of teaching, bringing in its wake, the ethical,the physical, the physiological, mental, the psychological and spiritual dimensions of the Yoga Sastra. I have followed right through the book, the thought process of Patanjali, as found in the Yoga Sutras.

In the chapter on my studies with my Guru, Sri T Krishnamacharya, both the theory and practice of Yoga as taught by him are detailed. It will give a wholesome view of Sri T Krishnamacharya's direction of Yoga Studies. Then the important Kriya yoga with the emphasis on the most efficacious Mantra Yoga are taken up for discussion, including several spiritual questions of the karma hypothesis; the commandments for a yogi are then discussed in great detail. Thus the basic theoretial discussions necessary are contained in the first part of the book designated as Yoga Theory.

The Pracitice section contains several hundred asana vinyasas, classifies as standing, sitting, prone, supine and inverted postues groups. All the important asanas are narrated through the vinyasakrama. About 300 asana vinyasas have been described along with the therepeutical benefits. . The asana sequences presented here are unique and are very comprehensive, The yogic breathing exercises section contains several pranayama practices along withn the locks(bandhas) . The therepeutic benefits and the physiological changes are also explained in great detail. A chapter on yoga texts will help serious students to pursue theoretical studis. The internal practices like meditation and mind tranformations(Chitta Parinama) are also explained leading to the ultimate goal, which is freedom of the self.In about 100,000 words with about 300 pictures and sketches, andspread over 17 chapters the book captures the complete orthodox yoga way of Life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions; 1ST edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892818204
• ISBN-13: 978-0892818204
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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