Rating: 
Summary: Covers Primary and Intermediate Series - simply excellent
Review: This is the only book one ever needs for Ashtanga Vinyasa Hatha Yoga. Loads of pictures and comments of specific points of each asana. Covers 1° and 2° series. Spiral bound so can be refered to during practice. David uses the original Sanskrit names for each posture which I sppreciate (being Indian) and also explains the meaning of the Sanskrit. Above all however, the photos are superb and David's body is so finely tuned that it is very clear to see precisely how the back should be curved etc etc. In fact considering his age and the great shape he is in, the photos are a constant encouragement to keep at it. If you buy one yoga book this year, this is the one to get. WARNING: Despite the quality of the book, Ashtanga Vinyasa Hatha Yoga should only be practiced with a qualified teacher. It is critical that certain internal locks, flow and strength is developed before attempting some of the postures in this book. This is NOT a book for beginners of Hatha Yoga or Do It Yourselfers.
Rating:
Summary: In the tradition of true Yoga Masters
Review: A thoughtful organization and presentation of Ashtanga Yoga. The focus of the book is the postures and, to a lesser extent, bandhas. Hats off to a true yoga teacher for presenting the book, intended as a practice manual, with spiral binding. For a long time, I struggled with having to keep a Yoga book open while reading and practicing from it! Aptly and humbly, the author starts with illustrating who a Yogi is by referring to people in and around his life, like his parents, who achieved Yoga through service. One doesn't become a Yogi by perfecting one's physical body. The presentation and discussion is very traditional. Sanskrit names are used to refer to the postures, which could be a hindrance to many beginners. Apart from the asanas, a brief discussion of the other 8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga is presented. A true practice manual as intended. Apart from the sprial binding, the layout of the photographs for the different series - primary, intermediate, help one to briefly glance and continue practice. The author has taken liberty, as he explains, in presenting a shorter series of asanas for the time-contstrained. The explanation of the postures are quite instructional. This book is devoid of props usage, as is the case with Ashtanga Yoga. If you are familiar with Yoga and wish to stay inspired about your practice, this book will help you very much. Just don't try to practice in all those risky places the Author has pictured himself in!
Rating:
Summary: Yes it really is that good
Review: I recently started practicing The Primary Series, and although there are some really good books out there (Julie Pegram, Berly Bender Birch, Richard Freeman, etc.) I must say this is the best. This book gives a lot of what alot of the other books give (History, Sanskrit Terminology, The entire Primary Series, some or all of the Intermediate Series, modifications to postures, etc.), but this book goes a little beyond. A prime example of this concept is the abbreviated workouts (aka "Short Forms"). The Short Forms range from 15-45 minutes. I can speak from personal experience on how well even a 15 minute Short Form can improve your overall wellness. In addition David Swenson's breaking down of how to properly perform a half vinyasa (the Up Dog, Down Dog, jump through after every seated posture) is unparalled, a very detailed step-by-step analysis that makes this impossible display of dexterity seem attainable. Any person with at least a base understanding of Ashtanga Yoga, or Yoga in general, could benefit from this book. In fact, anybody interested in developing an at home practice could benefit from what this book has to offer. What else can I say, this book is really that good.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent compliment to instructor-led classes
Review: I bought this book to help me develop my home practice after about a year of taking instructor led classes. Therefore I was familiar with many of the Ashtanga poses. The book includes detailed description of each pose including alternatives for less advanced students, breath instructions for each movement, and drishti. The instructions include all poses for primary series, secondary series, and finishing poses. Then what I found extremely valuable is a couple of pages that list the sequences pictorially, i.e. Primary series flow, Secondary series flow. Plus David Swenson constructed a few shorter series for either less advanced students or for a shorter practice. Swenson also talks about the other elements of physical yoga (bandas, breath control, vinyasa), as well as the notion that the physical practice comes within a greater context. I don't know if it would be difficult to learn these poses from scratch without any formal instruction. But if you are really looking for a "cheat sheet" or manual to refine your Astanga practice, this is a wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: In the tradition of true Yoga Masters
Review: A thoughtful organization and presentation of Ashtanga Yoga. The focus of the book is the postures and, to a lesser extent, bandhas. You can get a feel for the author's experience by his detailed instructions and observations, including 'Drishthi' or the point of internal focus to be maintained while performing an asana. Of course, the picture-perfect photographs the author himself is in, stands as an example of his dedication to the practice. Hats off to a true yoga teacher for presenting the book keeping the practitioner-student in mind. For a long time, I struggled with having to keep a Yoga book open while reading and practicing from it! Aptly and humbly, the author starts with illustrating who a Yogi (or more precisely how a Yogi looks) is by referring to people in and around his life, like his teacher - K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India - and parents, who achieved Yoga through service. One doesn't become a Yogi by perfecting one's physical body.
The presentation and discussion is very traditional. Sanskrit names are used to refer to the postures, but you will find the translation alongside. Apart from the asanas, a brief discussion of the other 8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga is presented. A true practice manual as intended. The layout of the photographs for the different series - primary, intermediate, et al help one to briefly glance and continue practice. The author has taken liberty, as he explains, in presenting a shorter series of asanas for the time-contstrained. Props don't play a big role in the practice. If you are familiar with Yoga and wish to stay inspired about your practice, this book will help you very much. Just don't try to practice in all those risky places the Author has pictured himself in!
Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: I have looked at a lot of books on yoga, and also own both of Beryl Bender Birch's books, but David Swenson's book and tapes are the absolute best for someone who wants to get started with Ashtanga. Highly recommend the "Short Forms" video for those not already familiar with Ashtanga; it is extremely user-friendly and unpretentious. This is supposed to be about the book, though, which is excellent; it includes photos of most modifications that are discussed, is easy to follow, and is the only book that includes ALL of the postures in primary and secondary series. The only criticism I have is that the Birch books are better about letting the reader know which postures should be avoided without help of a teacher. Hopefully, as Ashtanga grows in popularity, there will be more qualified teachers throughout the country. Now, though, many of us do not have the option of regular instruction, and this book is the next best thing.
Rating:
Summary: SO GOOD!!!
Review: This book is amazing! I've practiced yoga for about 12 years now. I've always vinyasa flow classes, you know enough to make me sweat but still stay in my comfort zone. I decided to start studying Ashtanga. This book is perfect. IT lays out the poses clearly as well modifications. For example, I don't see the shoulder stand, plow, or headstand in my future and this has very practical modifications. If you can purchase this with Swenson's "Short Forms" vhs or dvd. I practice the 30 or 45 minute routine 3-4x's a week ( I balance it routines by Baptiste, Kest or Eoin Finn as I feel I get more stretch from their classes). If you are an intermediate yogi and want to take the plunge into Ashtanga, Swenson is your man. Be prepared to sweat!
Rating:
Summary: A gift to yogis everywhere
Review: I just wanted to add my own 5 stars to the line up. This is the yoga book I can't live without...if someone borrows it I get all edgy until it's returned. The scenic photos are stunning but the easy-to-use layout for my own practice is invaluable. I too, recommend practice with a live class but once you know what you're doing this book will take you a long way. It's a gift to the yoga community and just fun to look at if you like to be amazed at what the human body can do. I would love to see the other two series' layed out like this--just for fun. I'm personally a primary series girl all the way, but still, I'm curious.
Rating:
Summary: Very user-friendly - particularly useful for beginners
Review: The great thing about David Swenson's book is that it is true to the pure form of Astanga Vinyasa Yoga, allowing for certain points of style. Most books go for the "power yoga" option, which is really more of a spin-off from Astanga Vinyasa, and this can lead to discrepancies and omissions in the form and series of postures. David is also very tolerant in his approach which I think works well for beginners (up to a point) since this is a very demanding practice and it would be easy to be put off. As long as it is understood that the book is not a substitute for a teacher, this shouldn't be a problem. Alternatives are provided in all situations where a practitioner might have difficulty. As well as the physical practice there is a lot of very informative background information which helps to put the whole practice of Astanga Vinyasa Yoga into context. And of course the spiral binding means the book can lie open which makes it easy to use during practice. An excellent book which I would recommend very highly.
Rating: 
Summary: very dissapointing!
Review: this book got very good yoga information and very good self taught book, but i rather prefer or recommand astanga yoga by john scott, reader maybe feel curious about my opinion, because the binding of this book is "spiral-bound" because the spiral-bound is too small and very easy distort, this is the reason i just give 3 star.
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