<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: EXCELLENT - Beginners or More Advanced Students!
Review: After buying and reading this book when it first came out, I had the pleasure of attending a "Power Yoga" workshop shortly thereafter, given by Beryl and her husband Thom when they were here in Chicago. The book is an excellent description of Power Yoga, and the author's personal experiences and photography blend beautifully into making this book a very enjoyable and inspiring read. Meeting Beryl and Thom, and experiencing their teaching first hand, simply made the inspirations of this book ever more powerful.
Rating:
Summary: Does the best job of breaking down the Primary Series
Review: As a previous reviewer said the Primary Series should not be learned solely through a book. This book does the best job of breaking down most of the difficult poses, offering great modification poses to help work a person into the pose that's part of the series. For instance the half bound lotus forward bend is by not means an easy pose (at least not for me). Bender offers beginner and intermediate modifications to help you work to the full version of the pose. She does this throughout the book giving the reader a chance to build up his/her endurence while he/she is learning the series. I used this book in conjunction with Julie Pegrum's "Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete Mind and Body Workout" Book. Together they are the next best thing to going to class. Overall, I have seen nothing better that helps a person learn the Primary Series, and at the same time, making finishing it semi-attainable.
Rating:
Summary: Does the best job of breaking down the Primary Series
Review: As a previous reviewer said the Primary Series should not be learned solely through a book. This book does the best job of breaking down most of the difficult poses, offering great modification poses to help work a person into the pose that's part of the series. For instance the half bound lotus forward bend is by not means an easy pose (at least not for me). Bender offers beginner and intermediate modifications to help you work to the full version of the pose. She does this throughout the book giving the reader a chance to build up his/her endurence while he/she is learning the series. I used this book in conjunction with Julie Pegrum's "Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete Mind and Body Workout" Book. Together they are the next best thing to going to class. Overall, I have seen nothing better that helps a person learn the Primary Series, and at the same time, making finishing it semi-attainable.
Rating: 
Summary: A great book for those already in shape
Review: I am personally having a great experience with this book. The explanations are clear, the pictures are very helpful, and the beginner modifications are encouraging since most people including myself do not start out as very flexible. After reading some of the other reviews, however, I've concluded that the book is probably most helpful for those who are already in good physical condition. Some of even the beginning asanas take a moderate amount of strength. If you do not think that you can do 5-6 pushups or hold your weight with your arm strength, it would probably be better for you to take a class where a teacher could spot you and give you more specific instruction.
Rating:
Summary: A Useful Guide to Power Yoga
Review: I purchased Power Yoga after attending classes at my gym, since I wanted a yoga workout that I could do at home. This book certainly has served that purpose, and it following the workout increased my strength and flexibility tremendously. The pictures are very helpful in getting into the various poses from the series. There is also a great deal of information in the book concerning yoga history and practices which was interesting for a beginner. The biggest problem that I have had with the book is that I think that it would be very difficult for someone who had never taken a yoga class with a live teacher to understand what is called for by some of the positions. I believe that this book is best used as a home supplement to taking a yoga class with an experienced teacher who can guide the student through the asanas (postures) and help correct them if need be. The book also does not really discuss meditation before or after a workout, which I have found to be tremendously relaxing.
Rating:
Summary: A Useful Guide to Power Yoga
Review: I purchased Power Yoga after attending classes at my gym, since I wanted a yoga workout that I could do at home. This book certainly has served that purpose, and it following the workout increased my strength and flexibility tremendously. The pictures are very helpful in getting into the various poses from the series. There is also a great deal of information in the book concerning yoga history and practices which was interesting for a beginner. The biggest problem that I have had with the book is that I think that it would be very difficult for someone who had never taken a yoga class with a live teacher to understand what is called for by some of the positions. I believe that this book is best used as a home supplement to taking a yoga class with an experienced teacher who can guide the student through the asanas (postures) and help correct them if need be. The book also does not really discuss meditation before or after a workout, which I have found to be tremendously relaxing.
Rating:
Summary: A well-written book that explains this wonderful practice.
Review: The author understands the subject well and takes her readers through the basics with a clear, concise, easy-to-follow style and hundreds of photographs. Her enthusiasm is contagious--and well it should be. This book was my introduction to Astanga (Power Yoga), a wonderful practice that strengthens, heals and rejuvenates. Astanga and the author promise a lot--and deliver. I am a physical fitness buff who has engaged in all manner of exercise over the last 20 years--including weight training, aerobics, martial arts and traditional Hatha Yoga--but I have found nothing to compare to the overall benefits of Astanga Yoga. It is no exaggeration to say that this practice has changed my life for the positive. I am 43 years old and feel 13 again! I would urge practitioners to supplement this book with the David Swensen videos--but start with he book. Anyone interested in learning more may feel free to e-mail me at the above address. I have no financial ties to the author or the practice of Astanga Yoga; I am just someone who has a sincere interest in helping others obtain the same benefits I have reaped from Astanga Yoga.
Rating:
Summary: good but as a supplement
Review: This book could have been half as long if Birch wasn't so interested in talking about herself. For the most part, this is book about why Birch practices yoga. Certainly there is a lot of quality content here, but it is sparse and has been covered more thoroughly by other authors (Schiffmann and Farhi for philosophy, Kraftsow for yoga therapy, and David Swenson for asanas). The program which Birch recommends is basically a watered-down ashtanga yoga workout in the primary series, with a few embellishments. When this book was initially released, it would have been a very valuable addition to any yogi's library. However, with the current selection of books and videos covering this subject, it has become obsolete and unneccessary.
Rating: 
Summary: Not about yoga
Review: This book has lot of useless information i.e. personal life of author, etc. Too much emphasis on philosphy and less on technical detail of yoga. It did not serve my purpose. If you want to read a book on Hindu philosphy and yoga this book may be for you, otherwise get another one.
Rating:
Summary: 4 stars
Review: This book is one of the few books out there to deal with the ashtanga system. It is very readable; I personally enjoyed the author's personal, conversational style of writing. The pictures and text describe the postures very well, and the author is good at stressing that one should work within their limitations. I don't think anyone should buy this thinking that they will be able to practice ashtanga on their own at home, without any outside instruction. Maybe you would do alright if you were already familiar with basic yoga postures; even then the vinyasa (the linking or "flow" postures) is still very difficult, and, in my opinion, impossible to do without "live" instruction. The book probably works best as an adjunct to classes.
<< 1 >>
|
