Yoga Mala (Paperback)

~ (Author) "THE PRACTICE OF YOGA IS NOT NEW TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIA..." (more)
Key Phrases: doing rechaka, doing puraka, next vinyasas, Surya Namaskara, Janu Shirshasana, Hatha Yoga Pradipika (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A treasure . . . Jois's discourses, at once authoritative and devout, [describe] the philosophy of yoga and the spiritual implications of its practice . . . For those who walk the Ashtanga path, this is the real thing."
-Yoga Journal
-- Review

Review

"A treasure . . . Jois's discourses, at once authoritative and devout, [describe] the philosophy of yoga and the spiritual implications of its practice . . . For those who walk the Ashtanga path, this is the real thing."
-Yoga Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: North Point Press; Second Edition edition (October 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865476624
• ISBN-13: 978-0865476622
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,272 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #19 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Eastern Philosophy
  #40 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga
  #90 in	Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > Eastern

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lays the ground work for a strong Ashtanga practice, January 4, 2005

By	James E. White (Oak Park, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading, September 26, 2002

By	Daniel McGuire (NYC) - See all my reviews

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, January 21, 2006

By	get bendy (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

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!