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The Yoga Bible
Yoga brings not only a suppleness to the body but also a sense of spiritual and physical well-being to those who practice it. Featuring over 170 postures from the main schools of yoga, The Yoga Bible is the ultimate, comprehensive guide to practicing yoga and finding a mental and physical balance in life. The book encourages yoga beginners and experts alike to find a yoga sequence that suits their personal needs and abilities.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 28, 2012
I wanted to give a nice little plug for this nice little asana book. I couldn’t resist buying when I found it in the local Harvard Coop–almost 200 asanas in a book that fits snugly in the hand. Dense (in terms of information per paragraph or bullet point), to the point, practical, and perfectly arranged so all you have to do is look, do the pose, check, turn the page and repeat. I’ve now made my yoga routine into THIS, just following it through and then starting over again.
The asanas are ordered somewhat how you would find them in ashtanga yoga. Each pose is named in English and Sanskrit, captured in several pictures and with numbered instructions, plus a little information box on where to put the gaze, preliminary and counter poses, easier methods, and effects.
The intro to the book has a brief but very informative overview of yoga philosophy and practice. After the asanas come chapters on relaxation, pranayama, seals (mudras), internal energy locks (bandhas), yogic cleasning practices (kriyas), as well as sections on yoga for specific ailments and a sort of gazeteer to the world of different yoga styles.
If you are looking for something incredibly practical, that you can just pick up and start into without a hundred pages of metaphysics, this book is for you. I highly recommend it for its small size (you won’t be worried about bringing it with you onto the gym’s stretching floor), ease of use and directness. A great buy!
The asanas are ordered somewhat how you would find them in ashtanga yoga. Each pose is named in English and Sanskrit, captured in several pictures and with numbered instructions, plus a little information box on where to put the gaze, preliminary and counter poses, easier methods, and effects.
The intro to the book has a brief but very informative overview of yoga philosophy and practice. After the asanas come chapters on relaxation, pranayama, seals (mudras), internal energy locks (bandhas), yogic cleasning practices (kriyas), as well as sections on yoga for specific ailments and a sort of gazeteer to the world of different yoga styles.
If you are looking for something incredibly practical, that you can just pick up and start into without a hundred pages of metaphysics, this book is for you. I highly recommend it for its small size (you won’t be worried about bringing it with you onto the gym’s stretching floor), ease of use and directness. A great buy!
February 20, 2008
Best yoga book out there...Easy to follow and the pictures make it so much more interesting!
The bible for all yogi...
The bible for all yogi...
October 7, 2015
I got it as a supplement to my power yoga class at the gym. It covers briefly yoga philosophy, history, breathing, bandha, and a large part is dedicated to poses, counter poses. There are many clear pictures and cover a lot of poses, the book is good size, square, smaller and condensed. Since it is a rather small book, not a lot are in depth and I have quickly grown out of it. Whilst I am sure that this book can be of some use, the only reason I would not recommend it is because it focuses too much on poses without going through the basic first.
One common misconception is people assume yoga is all about flexibility and stretches. This is not right. The aim of (ashtanga) yoga is to build strength as much as flexibility and find the ultimate balance between two opposite extremes. People need to avoid this trap of thinking of yoga as a kind of extortionist' feast, blindly copy how the poses LOOK and try to force themselves into postures that they are not ready for, without understand the anatomy, strength needed, breathing, internal lock (bandha) involved. Without these, injuries are bound to happen sooner than later and yoga would do more harm than good, especially with no supervision.
Asana's (poses & postures) are only tip of the iceberg. To reap the benefits of yoga and avoid getting injuries, a good teacher is irreplaceable. I would recommend other yoga classic books as supplement, such as those by Jois or Iyengar, or a more thorough book Ashtanga Practice and Philosophy by Maeller.
One common misconception is people assume yoga is all about flexibility and stretches. This is not right. The aim of (ashtanga) yoga is to build strength as much as flexibility and find the ultimate balance between two opposite extremes. People need to avoid this trap of thinking of yoga as a kind of extortionist' feast, blindly copy how the poses LOOK and try to force themselves into postures that they are not ready for, without understand the anatomy, strength needed, breathing, internal lock (bandha) involved. Without these, injuries are bound to happen sooner than later and yoga would do more harm than good, especially with no supervision.
Asana's (poses & postures) are only tip of the iceberg. To reap the benefits of yoga and avoid getting injuries, a good teacher is irreplaceable. I would recommend other yoga classic books as supplement, such as those by Jois or Iyengar, or a more thorough book Ashtanga Practice and Philosophy by Maeller.
December 18, 2017
My View:
A great resource for those at any stage of their yoga practice journey. I have recently (in the past few months) started yoga – I practice with a lovely group of people who are all carrying injuries of various types, yoga poses can be adapted ( lightened) so that most people can participate regardless of fitness. This book defines the poses, has photographic guides to achieving the pose and also lists the Gaze, the Build- Up Pose, the Counter Pose, discusses how to lighten the pose and the Effect of the pose e.g. centreing, calming, balancing… I love the calming effect and the ability I now have to relax my breathing when under pressure…the section “yoga for destressing” is a must read.
“Over time you will find ways to undo less than perfect posture. With a balanced practice, your week areas will grow stronger, and your tight areas will become more flexible. General vitality and energy levels will improve, and, as you unwind your bodymind, you’ll drop into relaxation more easily. Yoga develops coordination, flexibility, stamina, balance, mental clarity, increased concentration and overall health. Yoga is an all-round life enhancer” p. 28
A great resource for those at any stage of their yoga practice journey. I have recently (in the past few months) started yoga – I practice with a lovely group of people who are all carrying injuries of various types, yoga poses can be adapted ( lightened) so that most people can participate regardless of fitness. This book defines the poses, has photographic guides to achieving the pose and also lists the Gaze, the Build- Up Pose, the Counter Pose, discusses how to lighten the pose and the Effect of the pose e.g. centreing, calming, balancing… I love the calming effect and the ability I now have to relax my breathing when under pressure…the section “yoga for destressing” is a must read.
“Over time you will find ways to undo less than perfect posture. With a balanced practice, your week areas will grow stronger, and your tight areas will become more flexible. General vitality and energy levels will improve, and, as you unwind your bodymind, you’ll drop into relaxation more easily. Yoga develops coordination, flexibility, stamina, balance, mental clarity, increased concentration and overall health. Yoga is an all-round life enhancer” p. 28
February 2, 2020
Um livro fantástico e muito completo de posições do yoga, com explicações e variantes das posições e no final, com índice para algumas patologias e quais as melhores posições para ajudar.
October 31, 2025
Una obra indispensable para los amantes del yoga: clara, completa y muy útil para tener una visión global de posturas, estilos y filosofía, con excelentes fotos que acompañan cada práctica.
January 7, 2012
I love this book! The poses are provided with their Sanskrit names and a brief intro of the pose's benefit. Then a nice intruction follows, which is numbered, making it easy to remember. Pictures are well suited and aid the instruction. Finally, a little blue box with extra info tells about counter poses, build up poses, ways to lighten the pose, and effect of the pose. As a yoga teacher designing sequences, this is one of many books I've referred to so many times, the binding is falling apart! Great resource.
February 18, 2020
Esta opinión es muy personal:
Si ya dispones de conocimientos sobre Yoga, este libro se te queda muy básico.
Le doy 3 estrellas porque realmente está todo bien explicado, y para alguien que quiera adentrarse al Yoga es perfecto.
Y para los que como yo, que tenemos nociones más avanzadas, y nos dedicamos entre otras cosas a enseñarlo, se puede utilizar este libro como una ayuda a organizar tus clases.
Sea como sea, se le puede dar un buen uso.
Si ya dispones de conocimientos sobre Yoga, este libro se te queda muy básico.
Le doy 3 estrellas porque realmente está todo bien explicado, y para alguien que quiera adentrarse al Yoga es perfecto.
Y para los que como yo, que tenemos nociones más avanzadas, y nos dedicamos entre otras cosas a enseñarlo, se puede utilizar este libro como una ayuda a organizar tus clases.
Sea como sea, se le puede dar un buen uso.
July 6, 2012
I absolutely loved this book, it's a great beginner's guide that introduced me to Yoga basics, as well as the many styles of yoga and how best to structure a session.
I sometimes had to look up poses on Youtube to see how they were 'performed' but other than that, it was a really clear and helpful guide, and I'll definitely purchase my own copy when I can.
I sometimes had to look up poses on Youtube to see how they were 'performed' but other than that, it was a really clear and helpful guide, and I'll definitely purchase my own copy when I can.
December 8, 2018
My favorite yoga book every
August 19, 2021
Cute lil pocket book with images of yoga poses. Great for quick reference but nothing elaborate.
August 17, 2024
The Yoga Bible by Christina Brown
"The Yoga Bible" by Christina Brown is a comprehensive guide to the practice of yoga, offering a wide range of poses, techniques, and philosophies for practitioners of all levels. The book serves as a valuable resource for those looking to deepen their understanding and practice of yoga.
Content and Organization
The book is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of yoga:
Introduction to Yoga: This section provides an overview of the history, philosophy, and benefits of yoga.
Yoga Poses: The bulk of the book is dedicated to a wide variety of yoga poses, organized by body part and level of difficulty. Each pose is accompanied by step-by-step instructions, photographs, and variations.
Yoga Sequences: The book includes several pre-designed yoga sequences for specific purposes, such as stress relief, energy boosting, and flexibility enhancement.
Yoga Philosophy: The final section delves into the philosophical and spiritual aspects of yoga, exploring concepts such as the chakras, meditation, and the Yamas and Niyamas.
Usefulness and Accessibility
"The Yoga Bible" is an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced practitioners. The clear instructions and photographs make it easy to follow along and learn new poses, while the variety of sequences and philosophies provide ample opportunities for growth and exploration. The book's compact size and durable binding make it a practical choice for bringing to yoga classes or using at home.
Conclusion
"The Yoga Bible" is a must-have for anyone interested in the practice of yoga. With its comprehensive coverage of poses, techniques, and philosophies, the book serves as a valuable reference and guide for practitioners of all levels. Whether you're looking to deepen your existing practice or explore yoga for the first time, "The Yoga Bible" is an essential addition to your library.
"The Yoga Bible" by Christina Brown is a comprehensive guide to the practice of yoga, offering a wide range of poses, techniques, and philosophies for practitioners of all levels. The book serves as a valuable resource for those looking to deepen their understanding and practice of yoga.
Content and Organization
The book is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of yoga:
Introduction to Yoga: This section provides an overview of the history, philosophy, and benefits of yoga.
Yoga Poses: The bulk of the book is dedicated to a wide variety of yoga poses, organized by body part and level of difficulty. Each pose is accompanied by step-by-step instructions, photographs, and variations.
Yoga Sequences: The book includes several pre-designed yoga sequences for specific purposes, such as stress relief, energy boosting, and flexibility enhancement.
Yoga Philosophy: The final section delves into the philosophical and spiritual aspects of yoga, exploring concepts such as the chakras, meditation, and the Yamas and Niyamas.
Usefulness and Accessibility
"The Yoga Bible" is an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced practitioners. The clear instructions and photographs make it easy to follow along and learn new poses, while the variety of sequences and philosophies provide ample opportunities for growth and exploration. The book's compact size and durable binding make it a practical choice for bringing to yoga classes or using at home.
Conclusion
"The Yoga Bible" is a must-have for anyone interested in the practice of yoga. With its comprehensive coverage of poses, techniques, and philosophies, the book serves as a valuable reference and guide for practitioners of all levels. Whether you're looking to deepen your existing practice or explore yoga for the first time, "The Yoga Bible" is an essential addition to your library.
July 28, 2018
This yoga book definitely contains adequate information about yoga. It includes 'preliminary practices' ie warm-up poses at the start of yoga session and also sufficient information about each yoga pose. It tells us the 'build-up' poses for each pose (poses we do before advancing into certain poses) which I find very helpful and also counter poses. Some basic information such as the effects and variations of each yoga pose are also provided. However, what I find lacking in this 'bible' is the classification of poses according to beginner, intermediate and advanced level (which, in my opinion, is important for people who intend to self practise). The poses are classified according to whether they are seated poses or standing poses or inversions etc instead. Nevertheless, this is still a great yoga book and the author included at the end of the book information regarding the special uses of yoga which people with certain ailments (for examples, diabetes, fatigue, obesity etc) will find it helpful. I personally would recommend this book to people who already have some practical experience with yoga (learning from certified yoga instructors). By possessing some practical experience, reading this book will make more sense and it will be easier to incorporate the information learnt in this book into practice. Absolute beginners are certainly not recommended to 'experiment' with this book to avoid any unnecessary physical injuries.
March 20, 2022
Originalmente titulado "The Yoga Bible", este libro es fantástico para los principiantes del yoga porque sus ilustraciones son de lo mejor. Nos va llevando desde las posturas más sencillas, flexiones básicas, hasta llegar a los asanas más complejos.
El diseño es muy agradable en cuanto a la letra y su tamaño, los colores de los cuadros explicativos y el glosario al final. La autora, Christina Brown, hizo bien en titular el libro como "La biblia del yoga", pues tan vasto acopio de ejercicios nos ayuda a ser más flexibles conforme practicamos estas posturas milenarias. No podía ser de otra forma: ¡en la India no tenían celulares ni consolas de videojuegos, así que recurrieron al yoga como relajación y cura para algunos achaques.
Por si fuese poco, encontrarán técnicas de meditación como la de mirar la vela o la limpieza de nariz. Los nombres de las posturas vienen en hindi y en español. Inicié con prácticas de 15 minutos que, conforme fui haciéndome más flexible, se prolongaron hasta una hora, acelerando mi frecuencia cardíaca. Me recuerda también a mi madre, ya que fue la primera persona cercana a quien vi practicar yoga con avances significativos hace años.
Habiéndolo acabado de leer, es desde ahora, como la dice la portada, una guía esencial de las posturas de yoga a realizar por las mañanas o por las tardes lluviosas.
Le asigno 5 estrellas de 5 posibles.
El diseño es muy agradable en cuanto a la letra y su tamaño, los colores de los cuadros explicativos y el glosario al final. La autora, Christina Brown, hizo bien en titular el libro como "La biblia del yoga", pues tan vasto acopio de ejercicios nos ayuda a ser más flexibles conforme practicamos estas posturas milenarias. No podía ser de otra forma: ¡en la India no tenían celulares ni consolas de videojuegos, así que recurrieron al yoga como relajación y cura para algunos achaques.
Por si fuese poco, encontrarán técnicas de meditación como la de mirar la vela o la limpieza de nariz. Los nombres de las posturas vienen en hindi y en español. Inicié con prácticas de 15 minutos que, conforme fui haciéndome más flexible, se prolongaron hasta una hora, acelerando mi frecuencia cardíaca. Me recuerda también a mi madre, ya que fue la primera persona cercana a quien vi practicar yoga con avances significativos hace años.
Habiéndolo acabado de leer, es desde ahora, como la dice la portada, una guía esencial de las posturas de yoga a realizar por las mañanas o por las tardes lluviosas.
Le asigno 5 estrellas de 5 posibles.
May 12, 2018
Informative book with a nice forward and plenty of poses with detailed descriptions. The only reason I gave this four stars instead of five is because I really would have preferred to have the different poses listed in the table of contents or in an index with links in the back. This might only be a problem because I'm using the ebook version on the kindle app on my computer, but as I live in French Polynesia I sadly can't order the print version. Other than that, highly recommended.
April 30, 2020
The basic information is fine. The poses are shown clearly and have "lightening" suggestions for starting to learn and practice the poses before your body is comfortable with a fuller version of the pose. I am disappointed in the size of the book. It is physically small (5.75" x 6.5"). Why isn't this book published in a larger format? The photos would be more impressive and the text wouldn't be much smaller than a typical book.
December 26, 2018
This book will definitely make you curious about the yoga practice. It will walk you through all the steps you need to take in order to be ready for the practice. After you had finished it, for sure yoga would be part of your good life. For me it was the beginning of a new, misterious and challenging journey.
February 28, 2020
Excellent resource but I feel it could be organized better. A lot of the topics that followed the poses should have been at the beginning in my opinion. I think this would be most useful for an "advanced beginner" like me. I still have a lot to learn and develop in my practice, but I understand the foundations and am not starting from scratch
January 3, 2022
Overview: Some intro history of yoga, then a giant list of the poses, then a rundown of the formats of modern yoga classes. If that sounds appealing to you then by all means it's a great book. It just wasn't a book I found use for, since having read the Science of Yoga, which is more detailed and the way it's illustrated makes it easier to follow.
December 22, 2018
This is a very comprehensive book about yoga. It gives a good overview to yoga philosophy, styles, asana, breath work, and meditation. It would be good for a beginner but I also found it beneficial to enhance my teaching and practice of seven years.
September 5, 2021
I am between three and four. This one has many poses and great cues that are not found elsewhere easily. I’d say I learned 10 new variations here, but it is light on the easier and more accessible poses.
January 29, 2018
Livre qui explique bien les positions de Yoga mais j'aurais aimé quelques idées de comment combiner les exercices ensemble pour pouvoir pratiquer seule à la maison.
July 23, 2018
Excellent resource! Only complaint is the tight binding - a spiral would make this perfect.
December 27, 2018
Even though I've read this book a million times, I retreat back to it daily! Great read and relaxation.
September 5, 2019
Great reference source for yoga postures!
October 16, 2019
I like hoe the models are very basic.
October 17, 2019
yes....great yoga book... :)
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November 14, 2019It's nice to have one of these at home, you know.
December 4, 2019
Muy completo, me ha gustado mucho y me ha ayudado en mi practica de yoga
December 15, 2019
Love this book! It is a reference book but it is well illustrated and very informative if you want to know how to do poses correctly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews