Richard Hittleman's Yoga: 28 Day Exercise Plan

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Summary: I have completely fallen in love with Yoga-
Review: About a month ago, I found this book in our bookcase at home. My mom had bought it years ago, after her doctor recommended it to her. It is the old version with beautiful photographs. Just yesterday, I finished the program after following it for the past 28 days. I'm a dancer, and so am pretty flexible, but I was amazed to find that I've become more flexible, and that my back, with which I've had trouble in the past, has become stronger, more flexible, and does not bother me any longer (I used to go to bed almost every night with an ache in my lower back). This book is amazing. The instructions are clear, concise, and easy to follow, as they are accompanied by photographs illustrating each part of the asanas. Richard has created a Yoga system which enables anyone to incorporate yoga in their lives. Each day, new asanas are learned, and more advanced positions of previous ones are suggested, allowing anyone to progress at their own pace. Each day's practice is followed by the "Thoughts for the Day," which discuss different aspects of everyday life, such as eating, sleep, stress, etc... and how yoga and yoga philosophy can help one better their lifestyle. This book has trully changed my life and the way I see it. I have become more in touch with my body and my mind. This book is exceptional. I cannot thank Richard Hittleman enough. Since I've started the program, I've been researching yoga, and reading everything on it I can get my hands on. If any of you out there have any recommendations for books, videos, equipment, web sites, anything having to do with yoga, and advice, I would love to hear from you. Thanks-

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Summary: Great
Review: Easy, gentle, this is my third copy in 20 years. This book has saved my back

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Summary: Arguably the most important book I ever bought in my life!
Review: From day 1 you can feel the difference in your body. This book does wonders in helping you change your attitude about health, fitness and even diet. Some of the postures in this book take a little while to master, but you certainly feel better about yourself while mastering them. You owe it to yourself or anyone you love to get this book. Also, if there is a video available of this book, someone, please let me know.

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Summary: This book is the lazy person's guide to fitness!
Review: Got my first copy of this book in 1973. Found the directions easy to follow, pictures are a good supplement. The 3-day practice plan at the end of the book will take a diligent yoga practitioner through the entire book in 3 days, 20-30 minutes sessions each day. No need to sweat or join a health club, no expensive shoes to buy! Mr. Hittelman's comments on exercise and diet are helpful and encouraging; only caveat for female buyers, remember that this is an OLD book, author does tend to assume we are housewives. But the yoga postures and benefits are timeless!

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Summary: Good intro to yoga
Review: I agree with some of Kathlenda's criticisms of this particular Hittleman book. I bought mine in the early 70's but much prefer his 1969 "Introduction to Yoga" which I'm still using even though the pages have fallen out. A male and female model are pictured, the instructions are straight-forward and there is no reference to woman, housewives or any preaching at all. I also really hated to repeat exercises once again in a free-flowing dance-like manner after already doing them three times, but the 28-day book does allow you to build up more slowly. As a beginner, I liked the limited number of postures (about 30) - it would have probably turned me off to have to try to "perfect" more.
And I love the scalp exercise - who doesn't have 25 seconds to waste?

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Summary: [e-mail]
Review: I began doing Yoga with Richard Hittleman when he had a TV show in the early 60's. I bought his little pamphlet to use also. It was a simple little book with drawings. In 1969 I bought his hardbound edition---the 28-day plan, and used it when he went off the air. I've been using it ever since. I may have missed a few sessions now and then, but for the most part I stuck with it over the years, and I'm happy to say that his promise of "flexible for life" has paid off. For a woman of 80, I'm very flexible and have good balance. I practice three times a week without fail, and will keep it up forever. I loved that man, for his gentle philosophy as well as his advice on health. Lately I wanted to let him know how well he's kept me over the years, which is why I decided to look him up on the internet today, only to learn that he's been gone since 1991. I've been missing him, and now I know why. Doris Hirigoyen

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Summary: 40 Years With Richard Hittleman
Review: I began doing Yoga with Richard Hittleman when he had a TV show in the early 60's. I bought his little pamphlet to use also. It was a simple little book with drawings. In 1969 I bought his hardbound edition---the 28-day plan, and used it when he went off the air. I've been using it ever since. I may have missed a few sessions now and then, but for the most part I stuck with it over the years, and I'm happy to say that his promise of "flexible for life" has paid off. For a woman of 80, I'm very flexible and have good balance. I practice three times a week without fail, and will keep it up forever. I loved that man, for his gentle philosophy as well as his advice on health. Lately I wanted to let him know how well he's kept me over the years, which is why I decided to look him up on the internet today, only to learn that he's been gone since 1991. I've been missing him, and now I know why. Doris Hirigoyen

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Summary: Side benefit-- better sleep!
Review: I borrowed this book from the library-- it looked well worn so I figured that was a sign that this yoga book had been used often and well loved. There is a lot of emphasis on listening to your body and learning to ease your tension. As a result of doing daily yoga I discovered I was sleeping much deeper and feeling much more relaxed. I sadly had to return the book to the library and am now purchasing it. That must tell you something.

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Summary: Yoga for everyone
Review: I bought an old hardback copy of this book at a library book sale, and started using the program. After the first session, the radiating ever-present pain in my back went away. My back still has pain from time to time, but never like before. My whole body is changing. It's wonderful. Buy this book. You won't regret it.

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Summary: I wouldn't recommend this one
Review: I bought this book and worked through it and it's disappointing. It's got a terrible emphasis on slimming and trimming, as opposed to opening and stretching. It's heavy on the kind of spot exercises you could find in Cosmopolitan magazine. It's aimed only at women (housewives, specifically), and it has very little in common with any other yoga books, tv shows, websites, classes or resources out there. There's not even a basic sun salutation in the book! There is so little information about the poses- you could snap your neck doing a headstand; he gives no information or preliminary strengthening poses or anything.