Yoga

Rating:
Summary: simply beautiful
Review: As a student of both art and yoga, I really like the work done in this book on a number of levels. The poses are mostly well executed (there are exceptions, albeit very few) and the photographs themselves are very well composed (lighting, deciding which angle to take of the pose, etc.). It truly is both amazing and inspiring to see both yoga and photography performed at this level. What seems underrated even in these reviews is the outstanding introduction by Linda Sparrowe. After having read "Light on Yoga" by B.K.S. Iyengar and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, as well as other texts, this book has probably the most balanced and concise history of the development of yoga philosophy and practice that I have come across. Although Iyengar is more thorough on the philosophy, he is also convinced of his own interpretation of both Patanjali and his own teacher, Krishnamacharya. The text here is less concerned with the "rightness" of any one approach, and places each in its proper perspective. You could read the 60 pages of introduction and have a completely sound, although somewhat basic, understanding of where yoga came from, what it's all about, and what the major schools of practice currently are.

My only complaint is that there are several editorial errors that haven't been corrected in the new paperback edition and I don't know if anyone will be bothered to fix them in the future, which would be a shame. Given the nature of the work, it's natural that there would be some mistakes, but that is what second editions are for. This paperback edition leaves the errors intact, which concerns me for future editions, if there will ever be any. For example, Indra Devi died in 2001 at the age of 102, but someone apparently didn't tell Ms. Sparrowe, who claims that she's 104 (which she would have been at the time of publication) and makes no reference to her passing. Some of the poses are incorrectly titled as well, and given the stunning and thorough nature of the rest of the book, it seems a shame to leave such small but glaring errors uncorrected.

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: I actually learned of this book by chancing upon it in Amazon -- and I was so impressed by the reviews, that I had to get it. I was not disappointed.

The book is truly inspirational. It is definitely not a how-to manual for beginners, but if you've been practicing yoga for a while, it WILL get you itching to unroll your yoga mat. And for people who have never taken a class, it is tantalizing. The photography is superb, as is the introductory essay. I've had this on my coffee table at work, and have seen a number of people stop, stare at the cover, start thumbing the pages, get engrossed in the pictures, and then ask seriously about yoga.

One final thought -- the printing quality of the paperback edition is outstanding, and an excellent value for the price.

Rating:
Summary: What advanced yoga looks like
Review: I agree with everyone that the pictures are gorgeous, and the yoga posses are inspirational. However I'd like to point out another aspect of how to use this. Frequently yoga books are written for a beginner to intermediate audience and they show very basic of poses. You can use this book to look up what an advanced variation looks like. For example take Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) which most people learn as a simple back stretch with weight on the legs. In this book you see the 3rd variation where the head is is laying on the butt and the arms are grabbing the shins. For me this makes it much clearer what the big difference was between Cobra and Upward facing dog, you can see how the shift in where the weight goes changes what sorts of advanced posses are possible. Also you get to see asanas I've never seen in any other book, like asymmetrical arm balances (all the weight is on the two arms which are lifting the body while the body is off center and stretching). Or the existence of Warrior III (Virabadrasana III), everyone knows about I and II but...

Anyway, the paperback is a steal in terms of value for your money. I can't think of any reason not to buy it if you are the sort of person who cares enough to read this review.

Rating:
Summary: What advanced yoga looks like
Review: I agree with everyone that the pictures are gorgeous, and the yoga posses are inspirational. However I'd like to point out another aspect of how to use this. Frequently yoga books are written for a beginner to intermediate audience and they show very basic of poses. You can use this book to look up what an advanced variation looks like. For example take Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) which most people learn as a simple back stretch with weight on the legs. In this book you see the 3rd variation where the head is is laying on the butt and the arms are grabbing the shins. For me this makes it much clearer what the big difference was between Cobra and Upward facing dog, you can see how the shift in where the weight goes changes what sorts of advanced posses are possible. Also you get to see asanas I've never seen in any other book, like asymmetrical arm balances (all the weight is on the two arms which are lifting the body while the body is off center and stretching). Or the existence of Warrior III (Virabadrasana III), everyone knows about I and II but...

Anyway, the paperback is a steal in terms of value for your money. I can't think of any reason not to buy it if you are the sort of person who cares enough to read this review.

Rating:
Summary: I love this book
Review: I am so glad I bought this book. It is beautiful! I read some of the other reviews, which inspired me to write. Nowhere do the writers say it is a practice manual. It is an inspiring cronicle of yoga poses, beautifully photographed, and the text is wonderfully written. I thought the history of yoga was fascinating. Linda Sparrowe pays homage to the teachers who started the styles of yoga most commomly practiced today. The models do a lovely job demonstating the postures. I think this book is a tribute to asana, the third limb of the eight limbs of yoga. Some critics argue because it isn't more, but it never claims to be. It is a wonderful addition to my yoga library.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and artistic
Review: I love this book. I often look through it for inspiration. The photos are well done. However, I do not agree with a previous reviewer in that something is missing (i.e the yogis/yoginnis are not sweating). I think that was the idea. The idea is to get to a level where yoga is like breathing. Do you need to sweat to breath? For most people the answer is no. I thought of this book as a demonstration of various poses performed at the highest level possible. It depicted yoga as an art form. I enjoyed this book immensely.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and artistic
Review: I love this book. I often look through it for inspiration. The photos are well done. However, I do not agree with a previous reviewer in that something is missing (i.e the yogis/yoginnis are not sweating). I think that was the idea. The idea is to get to a level where yoga is like breathing. Do you need to sweat to breath? For most people the answer is no. I thought of this book as a demonstration of various poses performed at the highest level possible. It depicted yoga as an art form. I enjoyed this book immensely.

Rating:
Summary: My Students and I LOVE this Book!
Review: Lucky for me, one of my students gave me this book for Christmas. This morning, toward the end of class, I found myself spontaneously going through the book with a small group of students. What everyone immediately noticed and found especially inspiring was the fact that it shows teachers of all ages, including many who are well into the "midlife and older" stage of life. The photographs are large enough so that you can see every muscle working. The text is also beautiful. My students and I LOVE this book! Namaste,
Suza Francina, Yoga teacher and author, The New Yoga for People Over 50 and Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful "coffe table book" but something is lacking
Review: This book exemplifies the depth of yoga asana. The photos are amazing and a real inspiration for anybody that practices yoga. The postures that are represented in this book should in no way discourage any student of any level but rather be an encouragement to know that there's always something to stive for. I highly recommend this book to anybody that enjoys yoga.

Rating:
Summary: Graceful & Artistic
Review: This is one of the best "coffee table" yoga books out there. The pictures are done in black and white which make the postures look graceful. If you do display it on your coffee table, it makes for a great conversation piece, especially if you practice yoga.