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Rating: 
Summary: There are better Ashtanga books available.
Review: I bought this book because I wanted a different take on Ashtana Yoga to David Swenon's "Ashtanga Yoga: 'The Practice Manual'". I have practiced yoga off and on since I was 14. I am 25 now and thus have more than a decade of trying to do yoga- primarily with the use of books- as I do not have the kind of money it requires to get a good teacher i.e. $100-150/month- but I have had 3 months or so with a good teacher. Positive Criticism:
If you are learning from a class and an instructor, Pegrum's book is pretty much a very terse flip book of asanas and could help you remember the names, and basic ideas to remember when practicing these asanas. She also describes Ujjayi breathing in some detail, which again is a very important part of Ashtanga Yoga. Negative Criticism:
If you are trying to learn from a book or learn something more than what your instructor has shown you this is not the book for you. This book is incomplete in terms of a description of the type of asanas described, the directions for each asana, and also how to do the rediculously difficult - at least at the beginning- half vinyasa. The main problem I found with this book is that the descriptions given to each asana are so terse that you have a problem knowing if you are doing the asana properly. These statements were made after comparing Pegrum's "Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete mind and Body Workout" to David Swenson's "Ashtanga Yoga: 'The Practice Manual'". If Swenson's book and Pegrum's book are compared Swenson' has a far superior book for learning Ashtanga by one's self and even if you plan to have a teacher Swenson's book is still superior if you like descriptions of asanas that deal both with how to get into a pose eventually from a rather inflexible body to how one can get into a pose having a body like a yogi. Not everyone thinks like me so Pegrum's book might suit another person very well but I felt that something should be said about what I think is an inferior product.
Sincerely,
Yigal
Rating:
Summary: There are better Ashtanga books available.
Review: I bought this book because I wanted a different take on Ashtana Yoga to David Swenon's "Ashtanga Yoga: 'The Practice Manual'". I have practiced yoga off and on since I was 14. I am 25 now and thus have more than a decade of trying to do yoga- primarily with the use of books- as I do not have the kind of money it requires to get a good teacher i.e. $100-150/month- but I have had 3 months or so with a good teacher. Positive Criticism:
If you are learning from a class and an instructor, Pegrum's book is pretty much a very terse flip book of asanas and could help you remember the names, and basic ideas to remember when practicing these asanas. She also describes Ujjayi breathing in some detail, which again is a very important part of Ashtanga Yoga. Negative Criticism:
If you are trying to learn from a book or learn something more than what your instructor has shown you this is not the book for you. This book is incomplete in terms of a description of the type of asanas described, the directions for each asana, and also how to do the rediculously difficult - at least at the beginning- half vinyasa. The main problem I found with this book is that the descriptions given to each asana are so terse that you have a problem knowing if you are doing the asana properly. These statements were made after comparing Pegrum's "Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete mind and Body Workout" to David Swenson's "Ashtanga Yoga: 'The Practice Manual'". If Swenson's book and Pegrum's book are compared Swenson' has a far superior book for learning Ashtanga by one's self and even if you plan to have a teacher Swenson's book is still superior if you like descriptions of asanas that deal both with how to get into a pose eventually from a rather inflexible body to how one can get into a pose having a body like a yogi. Not everyone thinks like me so Pegrum's book might suit another person very well but I felt that something should be said about what I think is an inferior product.
Sincerely,
Yigal
Rating: 
Summary: Does a good job of breaking down the series
Review: I enjoyed this book immensely. The book breaks down the Primary Series into workable parts. The book starts with the two Sun Salutations, then it goes into the standing postures, the seated postures, advanced seated postures, and finishing/closing postures. This book does a good job of offering some modifications to some of the poses. Berly Benders "Power Yoga" does an even better job, but this book is quite good to get started with. Pegrum demonstrates the poses with tremondous competency, and makes them look almost attainable :-). Overall, this is a good book to start with.
Rating:
Summary: Does a good job of breaking down the series
Review: I enjoyed this book immensely. The book breaks down the Primary Series into workable parts. The book starts with the two Sun Salutations, then it goes into the standing postures, the seated postures, advanced seated postures, and finishing/closing postures. This book does a good job of offering some modifications to some of the poses. Berly Benders "Power Yoga" does an even better job, but this book is quite good to get started with. Pegrum demonstrates the poses with tremondous competency, and makes them look almost attainable :-). Overall, this is a good book to start with.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended
Review: I found this one to be extremely informative & practical and thankfully free from the cliched vagueness of some other books I have read. It contains very clear photos and detailed instructions for each pose/sequence along with the benefits of each pose. The introduction talks about the origins of yoga, the 8 limbs, etc and basically how to get the best out of your practice (touching on routine, diet, etc). Probably best suited for individuals who have already been introduced to yoga (at any level).
Rating:
Summary: Recommended
Review: I found this one to be extremely informative & practical and thankfully free from the cliched vagueness of some other books I have read. It contains very clear photos and detailed instructions for each pose/sequence along with the benefits of each pose. The introduction talks about the origins of yoga, the 8 limbs, etc and basically how to get the best out of your practice (touching on routine, diet, etc). Probably best suited for individuals who have already been introduced to yoga (at any level).
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