Integral Yoga Hatha (Paperback)

~ Sri Swami Satchidananda (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Integral Yoga Hatha has probably started more people [on Yoga] than any other book. It is simple, clear, and well-illustrated. -- Whole Earth Catalogue

Product Description

In print constantly since 1970, this large format Hatha Yoga instruction guide is now recognized as a classic in its field. Over 160 large photographs show Hatha expert

Sri Swami Satchidananda performing more than 80 postures, breathing practices, relaxation, cleansing and concentration techniques. Instructions are easy to follow and describe how the body and mind benefit from each pose. Practice routines for beginning, intermediate and advanced students are suggested.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 189 pages
• Publisher: Integral Yoga Publications (January 15, 1970)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 093204042X
• ISBN-13: 978-0932040428
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #335,022 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back to Basics--and Much, Much More, June 7, 2000

By	louienapoli "louieb" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

A seminal book on hatha that takes a gentle, thorough and, above all, healthy approach to yoga's physical aspects. It's all here--poses, meditation, breathing, even the more esoteric cleansing practices. All of it conveyed with the author's injunction to listen to your body and progress steadily and surely. This is not for the "power yoga" crowd who do hatha for a beautiful bod. You can beautify yourself with this program, but the focus is on developing the whole person--body, mind and spirit. A truly integral, and integrated, approach.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearest illustrations and benefits of postures, July 30, 2007

By	Evelyn Kern "Literature Lover" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have used this edition of yoga postures for the past 35 or more years. Now age 82, I am more flexible than my peers and even my own children who are in their 50s. This flexibility has kept me in good health and physically active. There are two especially valuable aspects to this book: the postures are photographs of a man doing each posture, accompanied with a clear explanation of how to do it as well as what the physical benefits/purposes are for each posture. For example certain postures are used to tone up the nervous system, help asthma, constipation, diseases of the lungs, digestive and genitourinary systems,etc. The book also covers breathing and other practices commonly practiced by those on a spiritual path; I recommend anyone interested in those practices to do them under the guidance of a spiritual master. However, the cultural poses in and of themselves can be safely practiced by a lone individual who follows common sense and does not push his/her physical boundaries too hard. In particular, this book devotes 8 pages of detailed pictures/instructions to the Salutaton to the Sun pose which was recommended to me as the "anti-aging" pose by Baba Hari Das. I have been doing it on my own for over 20 years and strongly recommend it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Yoga Book Available, December 27, 2001

By	supastar (brooklyn) - See all my reviews

no yogarobics here, true hatha yoga, often amazingly difficult, but also very helpful, as many poses can be done, and poses lead to increased flexibillity and the ability to do more poses. Not necessarily the most user-friendly text, excellent (though maybe not so fun) explanation of cleansing techniques and reasons, and good explanations of the benefits of various poses.
Everything from exercises to strengthen eyes, to every organ of the body, some discussion of diet, and other subjects. A true handbook for yoga, if ever there was one. This was one of the first yoga books I ever looked at, and it initially helped me see the point and begin to embark on the discipline. It is more useful to those who have already begun to practice yoga, as its immensity will leave some without a clue as to where to begin, how much to do, etc. Bikram's Sequence is a good start, but should never be the be all-end all.