4.52

4

Apr 17, 2017

The best part of this book is the "360 degree" photographs of each pose. Being able to see a pose from a variety of angles is incredibly helpful.

5

May 09, 2010

It's an introduction to Iyengar Yoga and a reference book, so while I've had it for two years, I've only recently attempted reading it, rather than looking up poses. I would reccommend it (and Iyengar Yoga) to anyone, but particularly if you have physical ailments, or are overweight, it's a very accesable style of yoga- not like a gym yoga workout. It's helpful to read the introduction and go to an Iyengar Yoga class, to make sure you're doing poses correctly.

5

Jan 29, 2014

I gotta say... this is the "Holy Grail" for anyone interested in a home practice grounded in the Iyengar method.

What this book has to offer that many others don't is many many many pictorial sequences. Definitely a plus if you're used to flipping all around other yoga books to create a sequence. This one has a ton!

5

Dec 19, 2008

This hefty book is a more accessible (though much larger! :)) version of Iyengar's Light On Yoga. Best are the 360 degree illustrations of each asana (pose). Packed with great information on the core hatha yoga asanas, plus yoga with props, yoga for ailments and conditions, and what sequence to follow when building your own routines.
Quite possibly the best hatha yoga book out there.

5

Jan 21, 2013

This was very helpful. It detailed technique and explained the multiple variations of the poses and What Not To Do. The back of the book was especially helpful in that it pin pointed specific ailments (i.e. Migraine, Heart Attack, back pain, anorexia, you name it) and their specific treatment. I recommend this wholeheartedly to anyone wishing to educate themselves on holistic cures using yoga.

5

Mar 26, 2010

My go-to book for natural healing from ailments. Packed with picture guides to break down poses, yoga with props and routines based on ailments. A must have go-to guide for any practicing yogi.

5

Feb 02, 2014

Great book for showing you exactly how to get into the pose. Each pose is shown in progressive shots so you can really see how to make the pose work for you. He has a 20 week progressive sequences of poses which is great for beginners. A perfect book for anyone wanting to learn yoga poses. I especially liked the one sheet translation of sans skirt and English names for the poses.

Biographical information about Iyengar as well as basic information on tenets of Yoga is also in this book.

I want to Great book for showing you exactly how to get into the pose. Each pose is shown in progressive shots so you can really see how to make the pose work for you. He has a 20 week progressive sequences of poses which is great for beginners. A perfect book for anyone wanting to learn yoga poses. I especially liked the one sheet translation of sans skirt and English names for the poses.

Biographical information about Iyengar as well as basic information on tenets of Yoga is also in this book.

I want to own this book. ...more

5

Aug 26, 2015

This is a must have book for any yoga student. It's thick and encyclopedia-like, you are not throwing this one in your beach bag. However, the explanations and alignment for essential asanas are fantastically detailed and the photographs of each asana are from multiple angles (not just the side view like other yoga books). I also appreciated that the bodies were of an athletic fit type rather than a thin model. The substance and the philosophy sections of the book are a helpful addition and I This is a must have book for any yoga student. It's thick and encyclopedia-like, you are not throwing this one in your beach bag. However, the explanations and alignment for essential asanas are fantastically detailed and the photographs of each asana are from multiple angles (not just the side view like other yoga books). I also appreciated that the bodies were of an athletic fit type rather than a thin model. The substance and the philosophy sections of the book are a helpful addition and I like that there are sequences provided. ...more

5

Feb 18, 2008

breaks down the staple poses so you know how each of your body parts should be participating. it also offers modifications of those staple poses to make them accessible for beginners. iyengar yoga at its best.

4

Jun 03, 2008

The first four chapters of this book include a mini-biography of BKS Iyengar, his school in Pune, and yogic philosophy. The Yoga poses are illustrated with so many high quality pictures that try to present a 360 degree view of a practitioner holding a pose. After an exposition on how to correctly do an asana and its modifications, follows information on which asanas are good for which health conditions. This is invaluable information. This book is heavy and thick and chock-full of information The first four chapters of this book include a mini-biography of BKS Iyengar, his school in Pune, and yogic philosophy. The Yoga poses are illustrated with so many high quality pictures that try to present a 360 degree view of a practitioner holding a pose. After an exposition on how to correctly do an asana and its modifications, follows information on which asanas are good for which health conditions. This is invaluable information. This book is heavy and thick and chock-full of information and a bargain at $45. The only drawback is it presents series for yoga sessions without pictures at the back. This makes it hard for practitioners who don't already know the poses to follow the series without first flipping forward to check which pose is called for- unless of course, they are Indian and know Sanskrit or are advanced practitioners who can tell which asana is called for. ...more

5

Oct 23, 2008

Excellent translation of Mr Iyengar's most recent teachings, more accessible to westerners than Light on Yoga perhaps

5

Oct 17, 2009

i'm not a fan of using props, but i'm definitely using the book as a resource to deepen my asana practice. to set myself up for future yoga options :)

the 360 breakdown of the poses was really helpful!!! loved it!!!

5

Mar 01, 2017

Not a book you ever really "finish." I took it from the library to check some poses and see if there were some new ideas for my yoga practice :) There were!

I recommend books like this ONLY IF you already do Iyengar yoga and already know how to do the poses - and having learned them from well-trained sources/teachers!

You can hurt yourself doing yoga!!

I have done Iyengar yoga for decades and for me the benefits are that it keeps me strong and flexible as I age...your results may vary :)

5

Dec 20, 2015

Excellent - BKS Iyengar designed yoga poses to help many different ailments. Diagrams in this big book are very clear. There is detailed, helpful description of how to get the pose right, including step-by-step and 360' diagrams. There is key information with each pose, such as who it will benefit and who should avoid it. Iyengar yoga teachers are highly trained and it is worth discussing your medical needs with them so that they can adjust classes for you. The book will work well alongside any Excellent - BKS Iyengar designed yoga poses to help many different ailments. Diagrams in this big book are very clear. There is detailed, helpful description of how to get the pose right, including step-by-step and 360' diagrams. There is key information with each pose, such as who it will benefit and who should avoid it. Iyengar yoga teachers are highly trained and it is worth discussing your medical needs with them so that they can adjust classes for you. The book will work well alongside any class, helping you to practice at home on a daily basis. ...more

3

Jul 10, 2009

For me there is a bit too much hero worship of the originator of a style of learning yoga. But it is neat to see an 80 year old guy with his flexibility.

4

Apr 10, 2009

Superb so far. It's nice to learn the history of the man who brought yoga to the western world. His journey causes me to feel such humility, and I only hope that I will live a life that is half as magnificent and simple as Iyengar has.
And, the yoga exercises, as always, are wonderfully rejuvenating. Iyengar's a yoga genius and my hero. =)

3

Dec 06, 2015

This is a huge coffee table book, but I'm glad I read it. I've been doing Iyengar yoga for about 2 years now and enjoy it more than any other style of yoga. This book explains the philosophy of Iyengar, as well as each individual pose and what ailment it's good or bad for. It also teaches you how to do a home practice, which I need to start doing. Long book, fascinating read.

4

Jan 27, 2009

i grabbed this off the 'new year's resolution' shelf at the front of the bookstore the other day. it seemed the one and only book that didn't scream "please feel bad about yourself and buy this diet book!". the photos look amazing and although i know i can't get into all of those positions right now i'm excited to try!

4

Jun 12, 2014

Better than most yoga books in that it gives detailed information about how to place your body. Some of this information is hard for a novice to understand without referencing appendices. The book also does not discuss how the poses work (why we move certain ways) or how to make your own sequences. Still looking for a better reference book

4

Jan 24, 2015

A very beautiful hardcover book with large photos of poses. The selection of poses are limited, although their variations are not. There is a huge chunk at the back that details the use of props to help get the therapeutic effects of certain yoga poses. This book seems to be written more for the beginners though.

4

Jul 15, 2016

A wonderful guide for everyday yoga practice. A mix of ancient yogic philosophy, guidance through 20 classic foundational poses chosen by Iyengar, theory and practice of guided yoga uses tools, blocks, etc cumulating in a simple to follow 20 week program for beginners or anyone! Iyengar speaks and teaches as if he were born to be the one to unveil the life of a yogi directly to you. Brilliant.

5

Sep 23, 2019

Excellent resource on practical asanas for yoga and yoga therapy.

3

Jul 30, 2017

I didn't read all of this, but what I did read was interesting and helpful for breaking down the asanas step by step and deepening my practice.

5

Dec 28, 2018

Excellent book for modifications and making yoga accessible to everyone.

2

Mar 04, 2018

The introduction read like gobbledygook, probably partially because the concepts translated from Sanskrit were not translated in a way that made them comprehensible for me as an English speaker. The bulk of the book contains explanations of postures, but I found the majority of them either inaccessible for beginners or requiring props that I don't have.