Rating: 
Summary: Not nearly as good as Power Yoga by Beryl Bender Birch
Review: I was a bit dissapointed with this book after all the good reviews it got. I didn't think it was nearly as good as Beryl Bender Birch's book.It does have photos of all the asanas, including several variations for less flexible people. However so does BBB's book, so in this respect they come out equal. It has good binding and a hard cover, which is a plus ( which you pay for ) But it has hardly any words in the book. What you can't pick up from the photos he often doesn't explain. Most inhales / exhales only have a half line of text, which leaves a lot of details out! Lots of short inspirational quotes, which I liked. But I did find BBB's illustrative stories more inspirational. ( Althought these quotes are the kind of thing you can apply during practice, and are good. ) This book would be useful to anybody reading this post who has been to classes and knows (vaguely) what they're doing. But I don't think a total beginer would get a good idea just from the book. I think BBB's book is much better for beginers, and much more informative in general. ( 'Power Yoga' by BBB is the exact same yoga system as 'Astanga yoga' described in this book.)
Rating: 
Summary: David Swenson's Book
Review: While David could use a good copy editor (there are a lot of typos and grammatical errors) this is the most user-friendly yoga book I've seen. The layout and copy content make it a very useful practice companion. I think it is best suited for someone with previous yoga experience. I would still recommend Beryl Bender Birch's Power Yoga to a beginner. She discusses various pose modifications at length; a beginner might find that more useful than the quick easy layout and helpful reminders found in David's book. Since David's book is great for a continuing practice, the two books really go well together.
Rating:
Summary: It's the best Ashtanga Manual until now.
Review: This is a gem of a book.All the asanas of the first and second series are depicted in huge and clear photos plus easier alternatives for all the postures plus shortened 15,30 and 45 minutes series for people with less time.Clear instruction on all the main points of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga as taught by PK Jois of Mysore, are to be found in this book.This is easily the best Asthanga manual in existence right now, and it's considerably better than the Beryl Birch "Power Yoga" book.
Rating:
Summary: Ashtanga Yoga
Review: As soon as I opened it I began using it... a very user friendly product and greeat teaching tool! This manual is excellent for practise. The photos are large enough to see as a guide while practising the Asanas and the instructions are very clear, more ever there are options available for less flexible or advanced yogis. I think this book really sets the standard for future practise manuals.
Rating:
Summary: an excellent ashtanga companion; the best I've seen
Review: David Swenson's Practice Manual is a wonderful contribution to Ashtanga Yoga. The numerous modifications, the tips on difficult asanas, and the well-thoughtout commentary on jump backs and jump throughs is outstanding. The photographs support and illustrate the information. This book is a must-have for all Ashtanga students and teachers.
Rating:
Summary: Great introduction!
Review: This book is awesome - it gives you everything you need to begin or expand on a yoga practice. Plenty of positioning instructions with a focus on the most important benefits of yoga beyond the physical. Helps combine positioning, breath, bandhas and flow. Enjoy! Namaste.
Rating:
Summary: From a yoga teacher
Review: I originally purchased this book a few months after first starting to practice yoga. I used it to development my personal asana practice. It is the definitive guide to the Ashtanga Primary and Secondary series. I took the Primary Series Teacher's Training with David Swensen and was surprised that he didn't give a copy of the book with the $895 price for the training. Much of what he said about the practice in the teacher's training is in the book.
My wife and I teach Ashtanga yoga and use his book as a reference. I highly recommend the book for developing your home practice while taking classes with a trained instructor.
Rating:
Summary: Great book by a great person.
Review: I've used David's book and videos since I started practicing Ashtanga and they are great. I've also had the pleasure of attending his teacher training course and must say that he's a genuinely nice guy.
Buy is practice manual and go to his workshops if you can.
Rating:
Summary: Great introduction!
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.
| 
