A foremost Ashtanga Yoga teacher tells you “everything you ever wanted to know from a yogi” in this guide for beginners and experienced practitioners alike (Huffington Post) Go inside the philosophy, history, and practices of a popular and athletic type of yoga—with step-by-step instructions and gems of wisdom for starting your own journey to self-realization Ashtanga Yoga has become extremely popular in recent years. Here, Kino MacGregor—a disciple of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the great modern guru who developed Ashtanga Yoga—gives a comprehensive view of the practice, demonstrating how Ashtanga is fundamentally a path of spiritual transformation and personal development. MacGregor delves into the history and tradition of Ashtanga Yoga and reveals how its philosophy manifests in contemporary lifestyle and dietary choices. She also explains the essential connection of breath, posture, and gaze that is the core of the practice. Her clear, step-by-step instruction of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series—including standing, seated, backbending, twisting, hip-opening, and closing postures—is a wonderful initiation for those who are new to the practice, and it will motivate experienced yogis toward perfection of the form. Throughout, MacGregor shares her own personal yoga journey and her devotion to yoga as a path of self-realization in a way that will inspire all practitioners.

John Scott's Ashtanga Yoga is a step-by-step illustrated guide that takes you through the balanced exercise routines and breathing techniques of this dynamic form. Carefully structured, this course starts with a simple sequence for beginners which, once mastered, provides the foundation for moving on to the next level. - Purify your body with dynamic movement and precise postures - Develop physical and mental strength, increased stamina and greater flexibility - Includes a foreword by Shri K Pattabhi Jois, founder of Ashtanga Yoga - This new edition has been fully revised and updated This essential guide is the perfect introduction to yoga or the ideal gift for those who want to take their yoga practice to the next level. Author John Scott studied with yogi Shri K Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in India, where he qualified to teach Ashtanga Yoga around the world. He has instructed many people in Ashtanga Yoga, including high-profile celebrities Madonna and Sting. John now spends much of his time teaching international workshops and undertaking teacher trainings.

AṢṬĀṄGA YOGA, also known as Rāja Yoga, is the scientific method of enlightenment propounded by the ancient sage Patañjali in the Yoga Sūtras. It is the Yoga that Baba Hari Dass (1923-2018) practiced from childhood. Arriving from India in 1971, Baba Hari Dass was active in training students and teachers of Yoga in the United States and Canada. Through his teachings and life example, young and old alike are learning the gentle art of living in peace. This new edition and e-Publication uses the IAST format for all Sanskrit terms. Intended for those interested in correct pronunciation of all transliterated Sanskrit terms and those who want a convenient way to carry the book to classes, enjoy leisure reading, and engage in research.

Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy is the first book of its kind, presenting a comprehensive guide to all eight limbs of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Join author Gregor Maehle, a seasoned yogi and compassionate teacher, as he guides you through: • the history and lineage of yoga • the fundamentals of breath, bandhas (energy locks within the body), drishti (the focal point of the gaze), and vinyasa (sequential movement) • a detailed breakdown of the asanas of the Ashtanga Primary Series, following the traditional vinyasa count • a lively and authentic rendering of the complete Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, yoga's ancient sacred text • a glossary of yoga terminology In the asana section, Maehle describes each posture with clear, meticulous instructions, photographs, anatomical illustrations, and practical tips. Information on the mythological background and yogic context of specific postures brings further insight to the practice. In the philosophy section, Maehle illuminates the Yoga Sutra using the major ancient commentaries as well as his own insights. This volume makes the entire path of Ashtanga Yoga accessible to modern practitioners. Both practical guide and spiritual treatise, Ashtanga Yoga is an excellent introduction to the eight limbs of yoga and an invaluable resource for any yoga teacher or practitioner.

A Way from Darkness is the unflinching and confessional story of Taylor Hunt's journey from addiction to health - physical, emotional, and spiritual. His parents' divorce set the stage for a downward spiral of self-destruction. The pressure he felt to keep his family together coupled with a deep desire to "fit in" fueled his experimentation with drugs and alcohol. His descent from upper-middle class teen with a promising future to the depths of heroin addiction left him bankrupt in every imaginable sense of the word. Soon, he was fully immersed in the dark underbelly of society and on the brink of death. Finding his way out of the abyss after ten years was neither quick nor easy. A twelve-step program of recovery and the practice of yoga provided the guiding lights toward a new path. Taylor does much more than share his story in A Way from Darkness; he invites the reader to find healing through community, Ashtanga yoga, and ultimately, acceptance.

Memoirs of learning yoga by David Williams

Transform your yoga practice into a force for creating social change with this concise, eloquent manual of social justice tools and skills. Skill in Action asks you to explore the deeply transformational practice of yoga as a way to become an agent of social change and work toward a just world. Through yoga practices and philosophy, this book explores liberation for ourselves and others, while asking us to engage in our own agency—whether that manifests as activism, volunteer work, or changing our relationships with others and ourselves. To provide a strong foundation to begin this work, Michelle Cassandra Johnson clearly defines power and privilege, oppression, liberation, and suffering, and invites you to make changes in your life that promote equality and freedom for all. This revised and expanded edition offers journaling practices and prompts in each chapter; includes more material on how power and privilege inform the yoga industry; explains how to integrate justice into teaching the eight limbs of yoga; and offers ways to support people as they move through their resistance and discomfort in the face of injustice. This edition also offers a fuller look at how the yamas and niyamas—the ethical precepts of yoga—can be studied in order to create a more just world, and it offers more support for yoga teachers seeking to radicalize their yoga.