Rating: 
Summary: Perfect!
Review: This book is incredible. What separates this book from every other yoga manual on the market is twofold. First, every pose that Swenson presents comes with two or three variations. This consideration allows one to custom tailor the practice to their abilities. Second, Swenson doesn't seem to suffer from the self-importance that other authors do. There are no long winded explanations on how yoga has changed his life, or how enlightened he feels. It is really refreshing.
Rating: 
Summary: Probably More Than You Wanted To Know About Yoga
Review: Well, if you're one of these 'power' yoga people and want a book with all the correct Hindi terms, descriptions and pictures, this is it. A large, oversize book that will likely daunt a beginner, and serve as perpetual reference for the would-be yoga teacher who finds personal satisfaction in likewise daunting beginners.It is WAY more than the average person wants (or needs) to know about yoga and, sadly, like so much of pop-yoga these days, seemed to emphasize the physical form over the spiritual and meditation limbs of Ashtanga yoga. (In case you didn't know, the purpose of the physical postures and vinyasas are to strengthen the body so it can sustain the intensity of pranayama and meditation practices, which in turn lead to higher states of consciousness and eventually true liberation.) Instructors like David Swenson seem to regard yoga as a masochistic obstacle course where the goal is to be a kind of contortionist extrordinaire. While he lists all eight limbs and touches on some spiritual aspects, the vast majority of the material focuses obsessively on the physical form and thus fails to correctly provide the true purpose of yoga. Swenson apparently hasn't yet realized he is much more than his physical body and that the aim of yoga is nothing less than the union of the limited Self with the Infinite. If you're studying to be an Ashtanga yoga teacher in the Pattabhi Jois tradition, this is the ultimate reference to all the essential asanas, vinyasas, bandhas and their accompanying Hindi names. If you're out to impress people with how many Ashtanga postures you can do, you'll want this on your coffee table. For the rest though, it's likely more than you ever wanted to know about the physical side of Ashtanga yoga.
Rating:
Summary: this is an amazing book
Review: it's best if you've done the series before, or at least know the postures. the picture and layout are incredibly useful. of course, the best possible thing is to do this in a class, but, like it says in the book, it's all about practice.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: If you want a reference book for the first and second series, this is it. David is an excellent teacher and practitioner. What more do you need? I would suggest a local teacher 'cos you can't really learn this from a book. Buy it and enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Lots of pictures help with figuring out a pose if you learn Ashtanga Yoga, like I do, without the benefit of a live teacher. Swenson also provides examples of how to adjust a pose for the flexibility challenged. Plus, it's spiral bound! It's amazing how the little things can make a big difference: I can actually look at the book and do the pose at the same time...
Rating:
Summary: Develop Your Practice
Review: As you begin your lifelong journey with Ashtanga, this book acts a tutor - answering any questions that you may have. It helped me memorize the sequence, reinforced correct breathing and the pictures are amazing. If you want to become an Ashtangi as quickly as you can, this book will help. It is like a dear friend to me... I constatnly consult it after practice.
Rating:
Summary: my ashtanga bible
Review: after all of the ashtanga books and videos i have purchased and enjoyed, this book along with david swenson's videos are the best yet. not only is the information organized in an easy-to-follow manner, but the design of the book itself is perfect....lays flat for me, etc. and unlike some ashtanga teachers, david swenson comes through as a real person with a consequent understanding of real life...the short forms are practical and useful for a person like myself who needs a bit of forgiveness for lack of time once in a while. my whole family uses david's book and videos.
Rating:
Summary: Rank Beginner's Perspective
Review: Mr. Swenson's book is well organized and appears to summarize a great deal of the Ashtanga yoga system. However, what I'm learning most from the book is that I need to take some yoga lessons to really begin practicing. Very quickly the exercises become quite challenging, but I suppose much of that is due to the nature of Ashtanga yoga. The poses are very well photographed and annotated, and I imagine his book will make an excellent reference after I've learned a little more from an instructor. Not to sell myself short, but I can't imagine ever requiring a more advanced yoga manual. The book is very well constructed, with a very heavy cover and spiral binding. Highly recommended.
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: Great Book!
Review: This book is very well thought-out. I don't know how many times I've tried to do poses from other books, but can't keep the book open, and this ingenuous spiral binding inside a hard cover allows you to leave it flat open on the floor while you work. I have the video, and wasn't sure I'd need this too, but it's a great companion. It is very detailed, has two photo sections--one with detailed descriptions and one with just pictures, and best of all, it contains, the primary, advanced and short forms. I like the lighthearted writing style, but the typos bugged me a little. Great book that you could take with you anywhere.
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