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Yoga: The Poetry of the Body
Yoga is one of the hottest fitness trends today, and millions of people are looking to renowned yogi Rodney Yee for instruction. Fresh from a guest spot on Oprah where he taught yoga to the masses, Rodney Yee is well-known around the world and travels extensively both nationally and worldwide to teach weekend workshops, week-long teacher training workshops, and yoga retreats. For the first time ever, Rodney Yee explains in writing his highly popular and successful approach to yoga. Y The Poetry of the Body is an introduction to the practice of yoga in both its physical and spiritual aspects. Using more than 400 beautiful black-and-white photos, this book takes beginners, as well as more advanced students, step-by-step through 8 full yoga practices based on 45 of the most basic yoga poses. Using thought-provoking student-teacher dialogs, Rodney makes abstract concepts come alive, thereby allowing readers to better understand and appreciate the essence of yoga. All in all, this book presents a wonderful and stimulating journey into the world of yoga that reflects both the way Rodney teaches and his personal philosophy. It is sure to please yoga enthusiasts everywhere.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 16, 2017
I first worked through this book long ago when I was just starting in yoga. Years later, it still holds up as a perfect introduction to home practice.
April 16, 2023
I first read and practiced with this book when it was published in 2002. It's pretty much sat on my shelf ever since, but now that I am offering a deeper 1 hour 45 minute Mindfulness Yoga class each Sunday, I am re-visiting my yoga resource library and have been working with integrating some of the practice sequences from this offering.
The subtitle says it all: Rodney Yee sees asana practice and the investigation of the body as a poetic act and the images and metaphors he uses are very poetic. In fact, for my taste, sometimes a bit too much, too forced ("feel the depth of the cavity of your pelvis, and explore the cavern with the sound and feel of your breath" or "feel the slow tapering of your breath into the void. Linger in the essence of emptiness as you would the fragrance of a flower. The last trails of the fingers of light receding into night.) I can't imagine what my students would say if I talked like this! And yet, the breathing practices, Yee calls "games", are profound in their very subtlety and nuance. The floral imagery can actually take away from the experience, so in my classes, when we've worked with these games, I edit as I read and my students have been deeply impacted by the practices.
And the same goes for Yee's approach to asana, and his gentle and non-aggressive, permissive tone is refreshing in its intimate openness. For the most part, the sequences offered here are -- as Stephen Cope said about those I present in my book -- "designed, refreshingly, for real human beings!
The actual format of the book is interesting in that most of the text is presented as a conversation between Yee and Zolotow and is divided into five parts: Why; Before Your Practice; Falling into Yoga; Being Present; Posing and Reposing; Unwrapping it.
Part One begins with a poem from William Butler Yeats and then presents a dialogue between the two authors. Part Two follows with a poem from Robinson Jeffers before offering a practice for "Getting Ready to Practice" involving some self massage, advice for yoga clothes and props and a tutorial on blanket folding. A dialogue around body image serves as the transition to Part Three.
It is here in Part Three that Yee offers various practices: "A Playful Practice"; "A Falling Practice"; "A Grounding Practice"; "An Alignment Practice"; "A Breath Practice"; "A Resistance Practice"; "A Relaxation Practice"; and "A Movement Practice". Each of these practices begins with an introductory consideration and presentation of the practice and the intention behind the practice. This is followed by the actual practice postures each with some poetic instructions. This is followed by a reconsideration of the practice and often a short essay from Zolotow, and then a summary of the practice with pictures. A conversation between the two concludes that particular practice.
Part Four is where Yee presents his seven "Breathing Games" and Part Five reviews the postures practiced throughout the book with fuller detail instructions and modifications. This section is broken down into Preparatory Poses; Standing Poses; Twists; Back Bends; Seated Poses; and Restorative Poses. It's interesting that Yee refers to "poses" as there is a sense of inauthenticity with this term for the postures. But that's a mild and perhaps personal matter. Part Five is a two page conclusion.
Overall, it's a good book with lots of interesting ideas that any practitioner could benefit from and if you're a teacher I'm sure it would make a good addition to your resource shelf if it's not already there!
The subtitle says it all: Rodney Yee sees asana practice and the investigation of the body as a poetic act and the images and metaphors he uses are very poetic. In fact, for my taste, sometimes a bit too much, too forced ("feel the depth of the cavity of your pelvis, and explore the cavern with the sound and feel of your breath" or "feel the slow tapering of your breath into the void. Linger in the essence of emptiness as you would the fragrance of a flower. The last trails of the fingers of light receding into night.) I can't imagine what my students would say if I talked like this! And yet, the breathing practices, Yee calls "games", are profound in their very subtlety and nuance. The floral imagery can actually take away from the experience, so in my classes, when we've worked with these games, I edit as I read and my students have been deeply impacted by the practices.
And the same goes for Yee's approach to asana, and his gentle and non-aggressive, permissive tone is refreshing in its intimate openness. For the most part, the sequences offered here are -- as Stephen Cope said about those I present in my book -- "designed, refreshingly, for real human beings!
The actual format of the book is interesting in that most of the text is presented as a conversation between Yee and Zolotow and is divided into five parts: Why; Before Your Practice; Falling into Yoga; Being Present; Posing and Reposing; Unwrapping it.
Part One begins with a poem from William Butler Yeats and then presents a dialogue between the two authors. Part Two follows with a poem from Robinson Jeffers before offering a practice for "Getting Ready to Practice" involving some self massage, advice for yoga clothes and props and a tutorial on blanket folding. A dialogue around body image serves as the transition to Part Three.
It is here in Part Three that Yee offers various practices: "A Playful Practice"; "A Falling Practice"; "A Grounding Practice"; "An Alignment Practice"; "A Breath Practice"; "A Resistance Practice"; "A Relaxation Practice"; and "A Movement Practice". Each of these practices begins with an introductory consideration and presentation of the practice and the intention behind the practice. This is followed by the actual practice postures each with some poetic instructions. This is followed by a reconsideration of the practice and often a short essay from Zolotow, and then a summary of the practice with pictures. A conversation between the two concludes that particular practice.
Part Four is where Yee presents his seven "Breathing Games" and Part Five reviews the postures practiced throughout the book with fuller detail instructions and modifications. This section is broken down into Preparatory Poses; Standing Poses; Twists; Back Bends; Seated Poses; and Restorative Poses. It's interesting that Yee refers to "poses" as there is a sense of inauthenticity with this term for the postures. But that's a mild and perhaps personal matter. Part Five is a two page conclusion.
Overall, it's a good book with lots of interesting ideas that any practitioner could benefit from and if you're a teacher I'm sure it would make a good addition to your resource shelf if it's not already there!
February 1, 2009
Good book with discussion on yoga, our bodies, and our society. It's true that society sends such messages to women to suck it in! stand up tall! and then we go to yoga where the heels are off, and we're encouraged to let our bellies soften. I enjoyed the discussions and writings that were in the book with each chapter.
The chapters are divided into different practices - falling, grounding, moving, restorative. The practices were nice, and I loved the meditative theme each contained.
If you do get the book and are a home yogi or yogini - I recommend cutting to the back before doing your first practice. It has detailed info on each of the poses. I thought it was funny that it would be at the end, not the beginning, but hey - at least it's there!
The chapters are divided into different practices - falling, grounding, moving, restorative. The practices were nice, and I loved the meditative theme each contained.
If you do get the book and are a home yogi or yogini - I recommend cutting to the back before doing your first practice. It has detailed info on each of the poses. I thought it was funny that it would be at the end, not the beginning, but hey - at least it's there!
August 19, 2010
Rodney Yee is a wonderful example for me. After starting out with Patricia Walden (who I still very much appreciate), I was turned on to his practicing style. He has a centered calmness about him and his dvd's are challenging but accessible. He offers practices for back strengthening, ab strengthening, muscle length...ening/flexibility, centering, stamina, athletic focus, etc. I like that this book is not just chapter after chapter of instruction but a mix of practice technique and philosophy in instructional, poetic, and conversational form.
November 24, 2007
This is a good resource for a novice or yogini. Basic poses to more advanced with good instructions and descriptions for each. Some people think Yee is over-rated, but I think he is a good teacher. I like having the book nearby when using a home yoga DVD. It comes in handy when I know I'm not doing something correctly.
October 20, 2008
A fun book to go through once or twice. Yee and Zolotow combine short, thoughtful thematic essays with several short, thoughtful thematic yoga routines. The poses were all undemanding, but I liked how they were focused, forcing (inviting?) concentration. I think this book has a lot of insight to apply to a broader home practice. Yee's take on yoga is very playful and it's good to read.
January 9, 2010
Great book for beginning a yoga practice. I really enjoy Rodney Yee's DVDs as well. I use AM/PM Yoga on a regular basis. I love the Yoga for abs as well. Poetry of the Body is a perfect description for this yoga book!
May 16, 2011
I started practicing yoga again after not doing it for several months and I forgot how good this book is at explaining the various poses. The photos are great and it several routines that explore various aspects of yoga. I've used it so much that the binding is starting to split in the middle:(
September 22, 2011
As a yoga instructor I found a lot of inspiration from Rodney's imagery and prose that weave throughout this lovely book. I really enjoyed that poses were mixed with excerpts from interviews with him. A true teacher!
November 13, 2012
This is a great book for anyone looking to journey into the world of yoga or for experienced yogis looking to deepen their practice not just mechanically, but for finding the body as a creative expression of movement through poetic words.
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November 6, 2007Pretty much always off of the bookshelf. A permanant work-in-progress, I think.
Excellent reference.
Excellent reference.
February 2, 2008
Wonderful text and photography. Great discussions about our relationship to our bodies, its abilities and our perceptions of its abilities.
July 17, 2008
An interesting set of interviews and quotes pepper the aesthetically pleasing photographs.
August 1, 2008
For such a Yoga powerhouse like Rodney Yee I have to say I was disappointed. Some information is good and useful but I did expect more from him.
February 21, 2010
He's a lovely man, with great insights to offer about yoga. This book is a manual for someone starting you and an inspiration for advanced practitioners.
November 10, 2010
Pretty pictures, interesting interviews. I haven't read it cover to cover but I can pick it up anytime for inspiration.
September 10, 2016
Black and white photos of poses.
May 30, 2016
This is for different poses.
A good book to keep motion of the body and stretching.
Beneficial working the body and peaceful mindfulness.
A good book to keep motion of the body and stretching.
Beneficial working the body and peaceful mindfulness.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews