Rating: 
Summary: The Finest Ashtanga Manual Available
Review: This Practice Manual is The definitive guide to the Primary and Secondary Series of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore. Clear illustrations of each pose accompany the text as well as pictures of two or three levels of modifications for new practitioners. The descriptions of the postures and the transitions are clear and concise and the book includes a wonderfully detailed description of perhaps the most difficult and frustrating part of ashtanga yoga: the vinyasa. The hardcover and the excellent binding make it a true practice aid as it lies flat and is extremely durable. A problem with any book that tries to describe and illustrate a flowing sequence is that it is limited to a static format. Swenson's video "Ashtanga Yoga, The Practice" is the perfect companion to the book as it provides 'life' to the descriptions and pictures of the book. Should you take a class? Absolutely, if you live in an area where one is available to you. Otherwise this book is the next best option to attending one of Swenson's workshops where his side-splitting humor, dedication, and his teachings as one of the worlds top Ashtanga Yogis are on display. Beryl Bender Birch's Power Yoga makes for an interesting read (if you can get past everything about her dogs and her personal life) as it contains some detail of the breath and the bandhas for beginners. However it is not Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Jois and omits several key postures.
Rating:
Summary: A totally good idea
Review: I bought this book because I was recovering from serious nerve and muscle damage. I was an absolute beginner, with the extra added bonus of being able to easily hurt myself very seriously with a simple fall. My doctor initially recommended strengthening therapy, which is useful but not enough. Yoga seemed like an excellent solution (and I'd never tried it). But it didn't seem that I could do anything in my current state, and classes were out because I couldn't get into a cab. With Swenson's book I've made an incredibly quick recovery. It doesn't demand strength, agility or more concentration than you're prepared to give. Practicing the short forms gives you a sense of how to make a session longer and more useful, but even a 15 minute short form will do wonders for people starting out. Swenson takes the view that those rock-star positions are ideal forms, something you reach after years of work. Get yourself into an approximation of an ideal form and follow the flow from one position to another, and you'll still feel a huge benefit. And since Swenson shows photos of the approximations and flow, you don't have to guess what's next or what you could do instead. Would you be better off starting with a class? Perhaps. It wasn't really an option for me, and a lot of people are put off by the roll-your-eyes snobbery of...well...yoga geeks. Swenson's book allowed me to gain confidence and stability in a very short period of time, and I could now handle a class without being discouraged. But to put it simply: this book will last me forever.
Rating:
Summary: Madonna's Yoga
Review: Very detailed. A great get in shape book. A wonderfully relaxing type of yoga.
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate Ashtanga Yoga book
Review: This is it...if you want to learn Ashtanga Yoga, this is the book for you. It has lots of pictures, lots of illustrations, lots of explanations, what more can you ask for? :) If you can't attend an actual class, this is the "next best thing."
Rating:
Summary: A must for astanga practioners
Review: Unless you're already so advanced in the system that you already know and understand the postures of the primary and secondary series or you're a frequent practioner in Mysore than get this book. Very user friendly and very helpful.
Rating:
Summary: The next best thing to a David Swenson workshop!
Review: I have taken one of David's Ashtanga workshops and left awestruck -- he so wonderfully explains not just the "how" of doing each asana, but the "why" and the spirit of practice linking them. So, I had high expectations for his book, and it did not disappoint. The explanations and illustrations are clear and comprehensive, and it perfectly captures his charismatic, down-to-earth, very approachable teaching style. I consider it my textbook reference for the Ashtanga series of Sri Patabhi Jois. It's the next best thing to actually attending one of David Swenson's workshops.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent reference manual, but you can't learn from a book
Review: This is an excellent reference manual for continuing practice - as far as I am aware it is the only book with comprehensive documentation of the first two astanga yoga series, with explanations and modifications for both. A book isn't a substitute for lessons but it can be useful. I agree with several of the other reviews here that Beryl Bender Birch's "Power Yoga" might still be a better buy for beginners as it has more detailed basic explanations. But readers should be aware - and aren't told anywhere in the book - that "Power Yoga" doesn't present the full astanga series. There are a few omissions for first series, and a lot from second series, whereas David Swenson's book is comprehensive. If you get the chance to go to one of David's workshops, do. If you've bought and studied this book you may not pick up much new technical information, but you'll get to experience somebody who is a really funny guy and a great storyteller as well as an exemplary yoga practitioner.
Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: A thoroughly engaging, well thought out book. Easy to use, read, and understand. David's enthusiasm for this subject is contageous! If you want one book to help you with the Primary and Second series of Ashtanga Yoga in the tradition of Sri Patabhi Jois, this is it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for practicing at home
Review: I was looking for a yoga book with clear pictures of the positions and instructions as to what parts of the body should be engaged and where(on the body) to really concentrate on certain postures and this book is perfect. There are three versions of every position, showing the complete(advanced) move and then easier versions, and when applicable, using of blocks. I highly reccomend this book for someone who takes yoga classes and wants to practice at home!
Rating:
Summary: It is a extremely user-friendly book for all!
Review: This book is an extremely user-friendly book for beginner and advanced persons doing Ashtanga yoga. I am a beginner and found this an invaluable tool in my personal practice. It has choices of practices; full practice of Primary and Second Series or the short forms of 15min., 30 min. and 45 min. practices, for those of us on the go. Unlike Power Yoga by Beryl Berder, I found this book clear and precise, with wonderful anecdotes from the author. Other books on Ashtanga yoga are often confusing, not clear about asanas and many other aspects of the practice. I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in yoga and particularly Ashtanga yoga.
| 
