B.K.S Iyengar Yoga byIyengar

by Iyengar

very nice hardcover book

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Reference, Spirituality, Fitness, Self Help, Philosophy

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Brantlea · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Diane Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good reference book with a lot of background and contextual information and detailed instruction on the asanas with photos showing different angles to improve alignment.
Large section on therapeutic yoga for both body and mind.
A great book to have handy and keep dipping into.

[Judy Desetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Belle Vought · Rating 5 out of 5]

This text made me realize the importance of alignment in yoga. I would often force myself into poses, with no awareness of alignment and how the pose should feel in my body. Yoga without proper alignment is a complete blockage of energy. I am still learning the wonders of proper alignment and will use the book for the rest of my practice. In addition to in-depth alignment visuals, each infographic provides the benefits of each pose (digestion, mental clarity,etc).

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Louis-Charles Pitre · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great visual book on the Iyengar approach in yoga. Easy to follow along to build a yoga routine or follow the suggested ones. Recommended to all yoga enthusiasts!

[Alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Charlotte Burn · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lynn Ph.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 :)

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written for the beginning, intermediate, and advanced student, the book is beautifully illustrated and gives detailed instruction. In chapter 8, the author includes an Iyengar Yoga course progressing from week 1 to week 20. Chapter 4 and 5 give clear instruction on the poses with 360 degree illustrations to help clarify the asanas.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!!

[Hmr · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[S. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for fragile practioners.

[Maura Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide to incorporating yoga into everyday life. Highly recommend.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous book that would be good for any YTT or beginning yogi; lots of info, biographical, but tons of asana info. Interesting to look at, even for me.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at a used book store about three years ago and bought it thinking I would read it when I had time. What a find! It is a treasure trouve of information from the yoga master himself. Each pose is carefully broken down and includes benefits and contraindications, different modifications, and a little history. This is a "must have" for any yoga teacher's library. I think I will be going back to this book over and over again.

[Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Jezz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro muy completo para practicantes principiantes y avanzados, te da muchas definiciones y variaciones sobre las asanas y sus maneras de como ir curando malestares del cuerpo comunes. Me encanto, súper recomendado.

[Stephanie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly the pictures and descriptions are well done and there is a section in the back of the book that set a series of yoga poses tailored to help a variety of ailments. I need to try it and see if it works.

[Siobhan Donoghue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference book with pictures. Keep in mind the pictures are not always accurate but it is still a good reference with the written text and images. Be sure to pair this with with his Light on Yoga so fully understand how each posture should be entered and exited. Enjoy!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Raoum Bani · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential book for anyone practicing yoga

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource on practical asanas for yoga and yoga therapy.

[Michelle Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for helping me as I begin my practice, independent from class. Helps with accurate positioning... great tool.

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