The Art of Yoga (Hardcover)

~ (Author), David Life (Author), Martin Brading (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Yoga reveals its astonishing, acrobatic side in this glossy art book of asanas. Gannon and Life, who developed Jivamukti ("living liberated" in Sanskrit), a challenging form of Hatha yoga, defy gravity and the strength of mere mortals-or so it seems-in the advanced positions shown here. Artfully shot over a 10-year period by British photographer Brading, also a disciple, the crisp duotone images express both the practitioners' physical skill and their spiritual concentration. Gannon and Life are masters: Jivamukti is recognized internationally; they've taught thousands of students in their centers around New York (including Madonna and Sting); even Ravi Shankar is a fan. Their starkly chiseled bodies are further proof Jivamukti is transforming: there's not an ounce of body fat anywhere. Added to this elegant volume are excerpts from Sanskrit texts and bon mots of spiritual encouragement. While this may not be a book for the average American coffee table, for yoga practitioners worldwide, it's bound to be genuinely appreciated. 150 duotone photographs.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"150 plus handsome photographs, demonstrating some of the most challenging asanas you'd ever want to see." -- Yoga Journal

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584792078
• ISBN-13: 978-1584792079
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 10.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #898,731 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Caveat Emptor, January 14, 2003

By A Customer

This is a coffee table book filled with photos of the authors in various poses with some of their musings as text. These two darlings of the New York Downtown crowd are Cooler Than Thou, and this book reeks of vanity, a quality I thought great yogis exorcised from their Selves. If you want a book to help you learn yoga, try Light On Yoga, Yoga the Iyengar Way, Donna Farhi's book, Schiffman's (Moving Into Stillness), etc. If you're a Gannon/Life fan and you like looking at them, this is your bible.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Body = Art, March 4, 2006

By	Sparkle Reed "smartmouth" (MILWAUKEE, WI USA) - See all my reviews

While some people may argue that this is just a 'vanity' book, the pictures within will convince all that the body is an amazing piece of art. David Life and Sharon Gannon, owners of the immensely popular Jivamukti Studio (http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/) in New York, contort their bodies in ways that are truly mind-boggling. The photos are shot in black and white - alternating between playful and intense moods. If you are a fan of Life or Gannon, this book is a tribute to their mastery of yoga.

For those of us who just enjoy yoga, this is art - pure and simple. For those who are not familiar, the pictures may be intimdidating or a curiosity.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tribute/Art -Must have for yogi's, August 10, 2005

By	Heather A. Sharp "sharpyogi" (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a wonderful book of inspiration, fantastic photography & art. But mainly is a tribute to David & Sharon Gannon's life's work. What a beautiful & original way to document a life dedicated to yoga! Any yogi would miss out by not having this fabulous book in their library. Truly a work of art.