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Rating: 
Summary: New Age, New Age, New Age. . .
Review: I began to read this book and put it away thinking that I was having a bad day and was not open and receptive. A few weeks later I picked it up again and continued to read it hoping that I might be open to its message. Again, I was not impressed on my second attempt although I felt a bit more open than on my first reading. I am not an expert in chakras but I am doing a good deal of reading in the subject lately. What I am learning is that chakras in the west are predominately cloaked in "New Age rhetoric" and chakras from the east (India, Vedic, Yoga) are centered in reality, not real (tangible), but real (cultural). If you are comfortable in the "New Age", then this book is for you. You will find the terminology and phrases right in line with typical "New Age" subject matter. If you are looking for a real (cultural) definition and or therapy you might want to look elsewhere. Chakras are subtle energy pathways that are an intricate part of Yoga practice (Yoga in its entirety). This book has its place and there are those that will find the information and exercises helpful, I was not one of them. I have been interested in eastern philosophy for many years and find that the truth lies at the source, not in the west. We westerners have a bad habit of interpreting eastern philosophy and culture without truly understanding it. The New Age takes the bits and pieces and try to make sense out of it or create something altogether different. There is no quick western "New Age" way to remove what ails you. Your answers lie in the East and they will take time, knowledge, and practice. Thanks for reading my review.
Rating: 
Summary: Chakra Enlightenment Simplified
Review: This is a great starting book if you are like myself that had heard the term, "Chakra" but didn't know too much about it. I had recently gone to a psychic faire and heard that my 3rd chakra was out of balance, and not knowing much more than that, got this book, and I am pursuing right now how to bring it more into balance. Very insightful and easy to read. I read about all the various chakra's and then I am really tuning into the third one to see what can be done, to make mine functioning more fully. So this book can be used on a single focus or for general learning of the entire body system.
Rating:
Summary: Ancient Wisdom made practical and accessible!
Review: This is one of my favorite books, and one I recommend often to friends. It's topic are the chakras, the seven energy centers of the human body. After an introductory chapter, it devotes a chapter to each chakra in depth. Unlike so many other books about chakras, though, this book does NOT just talk & talk & talk about them. Talk feeds the head, and the chakras are about whole-body experience: being able to give a precise verbal definition of the third chakra is NOT at all the same as having a healthy third chakra! This book thoroughly acknowledges that, and for each chakra, recommends a wealth of approaches --- including word association exercises, journal exercises, yogic stretches & exercises (all illustrated with photographs), partner bodywork (again, photographs), and sacred rituals --- for each chakra. Because of the richness and depth of the treatment of each chakra, this book is ideal for someone quite experienced in energetic bodywork as well as for someone who barely knows what a "chakra" is. It can be read cover to cover, or can be consulted as a reference book when issues arise with a particular chakra. If you follow the program they lay out, doing all the exercises for all the chakras, there is almost no way you could avoid experiencing some measure of personal growth and transformation. I can think of no other book that better deserves the epiteth of "User Manual for the Human Body." I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Ancient Wisdom made practical and accessible!
Review: This is one of my favorite books, and one I recommend often to friends. It's topic are the chakras, the seven energy centers of the human body. After an introductory chapter, it devotes a chapter to each chakra in depth. Unlike so many other books about chakras, though, this book does NOT just talk & talk & talk about them. Talk feeds the head, and the chakras are about whole-body experience: being able to give a precise verbal definition of the third chakra is NOT at all the same as having a healthy third chakra! This book thoroughly acknowledges that, and for each chakra, recommends a wealth of approaches --- including word association exercises, journal exercises, yogic stretches & exercises (all illustrated with photographs), partner bodywork (again, photographs), and sacred rituals --- for each chakra. Because of the richness and depth of the treatment of each chakra, this book is ideal for someone quite experienced in energetic bodywork as well as for someone who barely knows what a "chakra" is. It can be read cover to cover, or can be consulted as a reference book when issues arise with a particular chakra. If you follow the program they lay out, doing all the exercises for all the chakras, there is almost no way you could avoid experiencing some measure of personal growth and transformation. I can think of no other book that better deserves the epiteth of "User Manual for the Human Body." I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book on Chakras for the Novice
Review: This was among the first books I have read on the Chakra system that gets straight to "the point" and offers practical exercises for achieving results as it relates to the activation and management of Chakra points. However, with that said, this book omits all but the most essential "background" information about the various Charkras themselves. It is perhaps best studied along with another book with more information (Anodea Judith's other book, WHEELS OF LIFE, for example). Since you're likely to obtain results here, you want a better idea of what you are getting into than this book alone will provide! The only real gripe I have is that specific breathing techniques are not really covered. This is typical of most "Western"-oriented books/videos outlining Hatha Yoga practices. While many who have done breath work for meditation practice will have little problem adjusting, others might want to pick up a book focusing specifically on breath technique. Donna Fahri's THE BREATHING BOOK is a great place to start. Nonetheless, a great book if one is inclined toward the more "Western" systems of Chakra work. Unlike the previous reviewer, I'm not going to toss it out just because it doesn't conform in every detail to the "Eastern" paths from whence they came, but I do agree that it probably isn't for those who reject the "Western" points of view inherent in both the "bestseller" New Age or more serious Occult practices ala the Golden Dawn. GREAT RESULTS TO BE HAD FOR THOSE THAT WANT THEM!!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book on Chakras for the Novice
Review: This was among the first books I have read on the Chakra system that gets straight to "the point" and offers practical exercises for achieving results as it relates to the activation and management of Chakra points. However, with that said, this book omits all but the most essential "background" information about the various Charkras themselves. It is perhaps best studied along with another book with more information (Anodea Judith's other book, WHEELS OF LIFE, for example). Since you're likely to obtain results here, you want a better idea of what you are getting into than this book alone will provide! The only real gripe I have is that specific breathing techniques are not really covered. This is typical of most "Western"-oriented books/videos outlining Hatha Yoga practices. While many who have done breath work for meditation practice will have little problem adjusting, others might want to pick up a book focusing specifically on breath technique. Donna Fahri's THE BREATHING BOOK is a great place to start. Nonetheless, a great book if one is inclined toward the more "Western" systems of Chakra work. Unlike the previous reviewer, I'm not going to toss it out just because it doesn't conform in every detail to the "Eastern" paths from whence they came, but I do agree that it probably isn't for those who reject the "Western" points of view inherent in both the "bestseller" New Age or more serious Occult practices ala the Golden Dawn. GREAT RESULTS TO BE HAD FOR THOSE THAT WANT THEM!!!
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