Rating: 
Summary: Great info and format
Review: After practicing with the same manual for several years, I decided to branch out. I really like the format of this book- it is clearly laid out with nice pictures and detailed instructions. Most of the poses are very advanced, so I have only incorporated a few, but I will continue to use this manual as my yoga practice evolves.
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Summary: A Wonderful Guide to Ashtanga Practice
Review: David Swenson is a fantastic teacher. In this book and in the related video, he comes across as a caring, careful guide to breathing and asanas. He emphasizes practice, but also lets you know why you are doing what you are doing. And he does so in a way that is neither patronizing nor pseudo-mystical.As I am not particularly limber, I liked his allowances for those of us who are not able to reach the full extent of the pose. Other teachers can be somewhat exclusionary, and even virtuosic in their practice, and David - despite being amazingly flexible - is not. The fact that the book is spiral, and thus ideal for use when you are on the mat, is indicative of the thought David puts into his books, videos, and, I imagine, his courses. I have been using this book for two years, and I imagine I will be doing so for a long time to come.
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Summary: EXCELLENT AND ESSENTIAL
Review: Worth the cover price alone for the photo of Doug Swenson practicing along the mountain ridges of Lake Tahoe on page 242. Were his life insurance provider aware of this shot, I guarantee his policy would be dropped immediately. The other pages prove to be possibly the only book you really need on the physical exercise of yoga. While David Life and Sharon Gannen's excellent Jivamukti Yoga emphasizes the origins and much of the spiritual aspects for today's practitioner in clear, modern language (The Yoga Sutras are, after all, pretty dense stuff), Swenson's focus is the asanas, and the primary and intermediate series of the ashtanga yoga system. The asanas are presented in clear, concise detail, along with photos. The book does not intimidate by bogging the reader down in overly long details in either words or pictures. When explaining the translation of an asana's sanskrit name, instead of getting "This very interesting posture has an equally interesting history to its' names origin. In 436 BC, the first king of scotland travelled to india, etc. etc.", Swenson simply writes "Pada=Foot" (But if it is gorgeous, unbelievably crisp photos of asana practice you're looking for, the book to get is Linda Sparrowe's Yoga). One does not need to practice ashtanga for this book to prove useful and inspirational: virtually every asana is displayed, so even if you prefer a vinyasa practice, you can always pick up some new - or remind yourself of many - poses within. (The wisely included index also proves mega-useful in this regard) The book is also practical: not only does it display abrdged versions of the the series for the time-tied, but also because it has a unique spiral hardcover binding and displays one asana per page, making it easy to keep the book beside your mat for reference without it flipping shut every two seconds as you practice. (Anyone who's ever had that experience knows it feels something akin to what Doug Swenson on the aforementioned page 242 is doing, with potentially far more fatal results)(Try transcending THAT!).
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Summary: Ashtanga Yoga
Review: Beautiful book! But, not for beginners. I am returning this book since it does not fit my needs as a beginner. I am ordering "Yoga Over 50," which appears to be a better choice at this stage of my development. Ashtanga Yoga is a book that I hope to grow into, within a few years.
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Summary: Look No Further!
Review: Ashtanga Yoga by David Swenson is exactly what the title indicates. This book is user-friendly in every way,from the spiral binding to the clear, concise details given for each asana. When first discovering this yoga tradition I lived on a bridgeless barrier island with no access to a yoga instructor. David's video was my daily teacher. This book would have been a wonderful addition to my self-taught practice. I have now had the pleasure of studying many times with David and continue to appreciate his lack of ego in both his book, his approach to teaching and his personal practice. One cannot learn spitituality from a tape or book and I appreciate David's focus on a technically safe practice with modifications given for each asana. As one develops his or her own practice, focusing on the breath, the spiritual journey begins. That is what makes David unique as a teacher and author. He lays the groundwork for a very individual journey. This book serves as a wonderful guide along the way.
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Summary: The best Yoga book Ever
Review: David Swenson's Ashtanga Yoga is the very best yoga book I have ever seen. While there are other books out there that are good, this one is excellent. The book is hard covered and seems to be very long wearing. The spine is spiral bound and lays flat, which is excellent when you are trying to reference the book and go through your yoga practice at the same time. The pictures are excellent and show as much as a book possibly could (of course a video or live instructor is always better). Each pose is well described, with steps laid out clearly for getting into and out of the pose. The book begins with a description of the principles of ashtanga yoga and then goes through the warm up, standing series, beginners series, and intermediate series. It also includes several versions of a practice from 15 min, to 2 hours. Even if you do not practice ashtanga yoga, this book is really an excellent reference for any yoga practicioner. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: As a recent Astanga devotee, I really needed a book that would clearly demonstrate each asana plus appropriate modifications. Swensen's book accomplishes this task admirablly and provides invaluable hints and 'subtle points'. It really is designed with the yogi or yogini in mind, Thanks David!
Rating:
Summary: Ashtanga Yoga
Review: The author gives helpful discription of Ashtanga Yoga. I value the modifications for each pose on the next page. The pictures are complete and very helpful. I consider this book to be of great value to anyone working to develope and improve their everyday practice of Ashtanga yoga.
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Summary: Buy this book!
Review: This is the only book you need to study the Primary series. I love the flat spine design. Every yoga book should be like this! Get David's videos so you can see the series in action. You should use this book as a supplement. You should take some classes and use this as your home study. Never try to teach yourself yoga from a book.
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Summary: THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO YOGA
Review: I LOVE ALL MY YOGA BOOKS, BUT THIS ONE I DON'T JUST LOVE, I USE!! IT IS SO WELL DESIGNED WITH ITS STURDY RING BINDER THAT YOU CAN LAY IT NEXT TO YOUR MAT AND ACTUALLY USE IT AS A REFERENCE DURING YOUR PERSONAL PRACTICE WITH NO HASSLES! WHAT A GREAT IDEA AND I THANK DAVE FOR IT AS WELL AS HIS PERFECT POSES, PLENTIFUL MODIFICATIONS, AND DETAILED MANUSCRIPT. IT DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THIS!
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