From the yoga master featured in the bestselling Yoga Mind and Body videos with Ali McGraw comes an introduction to Hatha Yoga, complete with step-...
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Oct 30, 2011
Craig
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The book opens with an inspiring yoga bio, then divides into four sections: 1) Mr. Schiffmann's yogic philosophy or approach, 2) an overview of how to approach asanas, breathing and energy, 3) asana instructions divided by type (standing postures, forward bends, backward bends, etc), and 4) meditation. This struck me as a totally reasonable way of going about things and is sufficient to whet any would-be yogi's appetites.
Regarding the first part, occupying pages 3-40: Schiffmann is More...
Regarding the first part, occupying pages 3-40: Schiffmann is More...
Jul 07, 2011
Brenna
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This book is one you won't want to get rid of if you are practicing yogi. Erich Schiffman reminds yogis that yoga is more than the asanas; rather, it is about feeling, being open, being receptive to our true Selves. It is about living yoga. This book provides thoughtful, spiritual insight in the first portion of the book, and then detailed and helpful tips with pictures of various asana postures. This book is especially useful for people who struggle with mediation or live in their head too much
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Jan 12, 2008
Dan
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"Yoga is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who you are," writes the author. For me that really expresses the essence of yoga. I like this book because it takes the reader from the very first step of getting the mindset right and then moves into descriptions of the asanas and the value of mastering them.
I'm not an advocate of trying to learn yoga from a book or from videos, but as an adjunct text book this volume is marvelous. Every instructi More...
I'm not an advocate of trying to learn yoga from a book or from videos, but as an adjunct text book this volume is marvelous. Every instructi More...
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Feb 18, 2009
Flissy
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This is absolutely my favorite yoga book. It's beautifully written and immediately gets to the heart of what practicing yoga is about in easy to understand terms (without all the fluffy new agey stuff). The photogragphs and explanations of the asanas are clear and easy to understand. Get it, read it, love it. I reference it constantly for my own practice as well as for teaching.
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Dec 01, 2009
Sarah
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This book gave really detailed descriptions of all the poses, step by step. Rather than just showing the poses in their final stage, the reader is encouraged to build from the very basics of each pose, to the more advanced stages. I plan to go back and re-learn some poses using this book. The chapters about meditation and spirituality were very inspiring, as well; however, he used the word "God" a lot, and even though he defined God as the infinte which is present in every one and e
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Aug 30, 2011
Kiesha
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My absolute favorite Yoga book. It really captures the essence of Hatha yoga in a non-technical way. Not pretentious and can be read be beginners and veterans alike. The chapter on playing the edge helped me immensely, it reminds me that my practice should always be evolving.
Jul 16, 2009
Joy
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I am loving this yoga book. For anyone who wants a very clear and easy to digest book about yoga, read it. It is from an American yoga master's perspective.
Mar 05, 2009
Alice
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This book is very advanced. I know Erich had a lot to say, but there's way too much for most yoga students to sit still and read!
Dec 09, 2007
Karey
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Although I learned more from Schiffmann's DVD with Ali MacGraw which I practiced with for the longest time during the long Vermont winters several years ago, I also bought this book which was very helpful, because the explanations and reasons behind the poses was described in great detail. My favorite yoga book is one that I no longer have, nor do I know the title. I bought it in a used book store in a remote town halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. It's from that book that I learned ab
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Apr 04, 2008
Joanna
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This is one of the most thorough yoga books I have ever read. Erich Schiffmann discusses the importance of breathing as well as the physiological aspects of each pose in great detail. There are also suggested routines that look great, but I am lazy enough that in order to actually practice, I need a dvd in front of me (I like Kathy Smith's New Yoga series). I find that although my dvds are well-cued and timed, the information from his book helps me get the most out of each pose because it fil
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Jan 19, 2012
Matthew
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this is a book I go back to time and again for.inspiration and a fresh look at poses
Nov 15, 2008
Abby
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The introduction and following Schiffmann on his own path to yoga sets up this book to be an indispensable guide to building a personal practice. The detailed description of the poses, the importance of breath, and ideas on meditation will also make it a handy reference tool for yoga teachers. The images are a little laughable, but that might be due more to my own immature sense of humor and the need to giggle when I see a man wearing really tight shorts.
Apr 26, 2011
rae
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Really excellent book on the philosophy and technique of yoga. Helpful and very detailed instructions on achieving the asanas, plus extended sections on meditation. I give the book four stars because the writing is a little bit tedious, with a lot of repetition and redundancies.
Nov 13, 2007
Nichole
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His intro about living in India as a young man and how he discovered yoga is really interesting. The beginning chapters on breathwork, edges, and asana fundamentals bring new ideas and new perspective to my own appreciation of yoga. The pose breakdown chapters in the 2nd half of the book are okay but offer few modifications for cranky knees, hips, spines and necks.
Jan 10, 2008
Adrienne
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I love Schiffman's use of language and his ability to couch a seemingly ineffable concept in language that strikes a cord. His use of epithets like feeling-tone, his stress on the important of experiencing who you are, his encouragement to play with lines of energy and the razor's edge are all encouragements to keep growing by loving and listening to yourself.
Aug 29, 2011
Tamara
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this book has been on my "currently-reading" shelf since i first joined goodreads. i thought of creating a "currently and forever reading" shelf, but i chose to move it to "read" with a disclaimer...this book will always be at the top of the stack of books at my bedside. just as there is no end to our practice, there is no end to reading this book.
Dec 02, 2007
Vanessa
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while the majority of this book explains some beginner asanas (yoga poses) with helpful photos, i found this book incredibly powerful for Schiffman's writings about yoga's ability to cultivate inner stillness, calm, centeredness, focus, and self-realization. he also has a good guide to meditation at the end. beautiful book.
May 05, 2009
valpal
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There are a lot of great yoga books and dvds but this one includes both the physical and spiritual aspects of the practice. The author shows progressive steps towards achieving the more difficult poses and lays out several beginner, intermediate, and advanced daily practice routines.
Nov 04, 2008
Steven
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This was my first book on yoga and it is a great place to start. It gives a good overview of the spiritual aspects of yoga without going too deep. The bulk of the book is dedicated to the core principles of hatha practice including detailed instruction on breathing and postures.
Dec 17, 2009
Leticia
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Before Donna, there was Erich. Love this man. When he's talking to you, he looks like the cheshire cat who knows a wonderful secret.
If you ever have a chance to take a class from Erich..I highly recommend it. He is so much fun. And, he's in Santa Monica, CA!
If you ever have a chance to take a class from Erich..I highly recommend it. He is so much fun. And, he's in Santa Monica, CA!
Jul 18, 2008
Carole
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This is by far my all-time best yoga book. There could be no better yoga teacher that Erich. Mind, body, spirit, breathing, energy - he addresses all aspects. When you are ready the (yoga) teacher will appear. Namaste.
Sep 10, 2011
Tina
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finished the book during yoga teacher training last fall. it was a great book and totally helped understand the physical and non-physical aspects of yoga. wish i could see eric schiffmann in real life at some point...
Mar 26, 2007
frances
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my first time reading someone's philosophy and approach to yoga. the ideas presented by Erich Schiffmann have showed me a whole new depth to the practice that i thought was out there.
Feb 01, 2008
Kathryn
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Absolutely my favorite book on practicing yoga. Erich Schiffmann makes yoga interesting and accessible without dumbing it down. I'd give it 6 stars if that were possible.
Feb 15, 2008
Meg
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I love Erich Schiffmann - a must read for those that want to explore yoga, for those that practice yoga, for those that teach yoga.....
Apr 22, 2008
Shannon
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Great book for beginners, explains everything so specific. Great book.
