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: #546,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book, but not perfect., May 15, 2001

By 

"sadhaka" (Haydenville, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yoga for the Three Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice As an Art Form, a Physical Therapy, and a Guiding Philosophy (Paperback)

This is a rich treasure trove of information about yoga in the context of an authentic tradition. I found it to be endlessly fascinating and rewarding. However, despite what some other reviewers have said, I think it may not be what many people are looking for. Here are some things one should be aware of:

1. The philosophical information is quite dense and not always accessible. While the author's English is quite good, it is not always completely "comfortable" and people may become confused. For instance, he frequently uses terms most westerners will not be familiar with (names of deities, etc.), only some of which are in the glossary. If you are looking for an accessible, down to earth philosophy that will enrich your asana practice, read T.V.K. Desikachar's "The Heart of Yoga." If you are looking for a richer, less watered down version of this information, and are willing to put up with a less clear format, then this book may be preferable.

2. This is not a good presentation of the asanas. Many asanas are described but not pictured, and in addition, there is not a lot of detailed instructional information about most of the poses. In his defense, Ramaswami says that he is only cataloguing the asanas for reference purposes and that they should be learned only under the supervision of a teacher. All of the above applies equally to the section on pranayama. The presentation of vinyasakrama is the only bridge I've seen between Desikachar's viniyoga and Pattabhi Jois's Ashtanga yoga. Basically, it involves starting all poses in samasthiti and using the sun salutation poses to connect them, but with emphasis on the slower, gentler and personally customized routines that characterize viniyoga. This content came to me as a truly wonderful gift.

So, I would recommend this book only to people who are looking for a source of thought provoking yoga philosophy and especially those who want all the information they can get about Krishnamacharya's yoga system(s). This book will greatly enrich most aspects of your practice, however, it is best to approach it as a supplemental rather than primary source of information.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yoga for the Three Stages of Life, June 13, 2003

By 

Cassandra Barnes "Cassandra" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yoga for the Three Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice As an Art Form, a Physical Therapy, and a Guiding Philosophy (Paperback)

Srivatsa Ramaswami studied for more than thirty years with a legendary yoga instructor and has taught yoga himself for more than twenty years. He's blended all that he's learned over the years into a program designed to be adaptable to individual needs, abilities, and ages while remaining true to the principles of traditional yoga.

Yoga for the Three Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice as an Art Form, A Physical Therapy, and a Guiding Philosophy is the result of his life's work.

He begins with personal information on how he began learning from the incomparable T. Krisnamacarya as a child, followed by descriptions of the various kinds of yoga and the philosophies underlying each. He says that his book "follows the thought progression of Patanjali, author of the Yogasutras, but it adds material gathered from my guru and from other authentic yoga texts."

Ramaswami includes the history of the development of yoga, and discusses the roles of chanting and scripture study in making yoga part of lifestyle, rather than just a routine. He also devotes large sections to the importance of proper breathing while performing the yoga postures. Correct breathing "helps one to reach and work on the deeper muscles and organs inside the body, which may not be possible otherwise." Additionally it aids in relaxation and concentration.

The remainder of the book describes the yoga postures. Each has detailed written instructions, as well as photographs. Ramaswami notes whether each posture can be safely done by those with physical ailments. He includes a chapter on yoga practices for pregnant women.

While he does include basic yoga postures and complete instructions, Ramaswami notes that his book is not for beginners, but rather for those who have been practicing for some time and/or have a knowledgeable teacher to guide them.

He says that "my goal is to portray the three aspects of yoga-as art, physical therapy, and philosophy-that are appropriate for the young, for the middle-aged, and for retirees, in that order." Readers will discover that he met this goal in Yoga for the Three Stages of Life.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Yoga for the Three Stages of Life, March 8, 2001

By 

Felicia Marks (Yardley, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yoga for the Three Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice As an Art Form, a Physical Therapy, and a Guiding Philosophy (Paperback)

YOGA FOR THE THREE STAGES OF LIFE is an extensive resource for anyone seeking an authentic, detailed description of yoga theory and practice. Srivatsa Ramaswami is an erudite scholar of yoga and an experienced teacher and practitioner. His teacher, Sri T. Krishnamacharya was also that of B. K. S. Iyengar and J. P. S. Pattabhi Jois, who both currently have extensive follwings in the United States. It may only be a matter of time before this is also true of Srivatsa Ramaswami. The book is divided into two sections. The first, on yoga theory is filled with innumerable quotes and references to authentic yogic texts. In this section, Ramaswami gives in-depth explanations of yoga, the story of Patanjali, the meaning of yogic terminology and its practical import. This aspect of the book alone is worth its price. I own many yoga books that only give a small portion of the information available in this text. The second section is on practice and presents the unique system of "vinyasa krama", which coordinates movement into and out of the classical postures with the breath. All major areas of practice are included and there are some quite advanced postures described and depicted. The section on breathing is one of the most detailed you will ever find short of going to India and training at the foot of a master. Ramaswami not only describes the practices but also explains how these exercises benefit health at every level of being. Because this is not a watered down introductory book, any yoga enthusiast will find expert guidance into expanding capacity. There are also chapters on practices particularly beneficial for women and on more esoteric aspects of yoga, such as stilling the mind and yoga's ultimate goal of freedom. Srivatsa Ramaswami has provided an enormous amount of information, detail, and source material for the benefit of the entire yoga community, and especially for the experienced practitioner who wants to improve and learn even more.