Mindfulness Yoga: The Awakened Union of Breath, Body, and Mind

by Frank Jude Boccio, Georg Feuerstein (Foreword by)

Whether you have no background in meditation or yoga or have been practicing for years, Mindfulness Yoga is for you. This groundbreaking book introduces an entirely new form of yoga, Mindfulness Yoga , which seamlessly integrates the Buddha's teachings on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness with traditional asana yoga practice.

Mindfulness Yoga emphasizes the spiritual side of yoga practice, an aspect often overlooked in a culture that tends to fixate solely on the physical benefits of yoga. Unlike any other Buddhism-meets-yoga book, Mindfulness Yoga presents the two disciplines as a single practice that brings health to the body and liberates the mind and spirit, awakening compassion and fostering equanimity and joy. Mindfulness Yoga will appeal to the many people who have an interest in yoga, Buddhism, and meditation, but who may not have been able to find a teacher who could bring these practices together in a meaningful, practical way.

In the first part of the book, author Frank Jude Boccio offers a superb and lively introduction to the Buddha's teachings and locates them within the larger context of the Indian spiritual traditions. Then, in the second half of the book, Boccio offers three complete Mindfulness Yoga sequences, including over 100 pictures, with detailed guidance for body, breath, and mind. Special lay-flat binding makes this book even more useful as a practice aid.

Genres: Spirituality, Meditation, Nonfiction, Self Help, Philosophy, Religion, Buddhism

341 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 1993

Reviews

[Dawn D'Arcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently, Frank answered a question for me (not so much with an "answer" but, rather, a validation marked by insight...hmmm) and it sent me off in another direction regarding something that had been gnawing at me for the past few years. It opened me up to a whole other experience. I say this as a way of saying how this book did much the same for me. It is my right hand, so to speak, as both a practitioner and a teacher of yoga. This book is an embrace from a beloved friend - open your arms!!! Read on!!! It's an incredible gift!

[Allen McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

For today's Goodreads' #MyYearInBooks, I present "Mindfulness Yoga: Awakened Union of Breath, Body, and Mind" by Frank Jude Boccio. This book combines the physical practice of asana yoga with the spiritual side of Buddhism, and has transformed my meditation practices with the inclusion of a daily yoga routine. "Mindfulness Yoga" combs over the Buddha's teachings, then details any asana you could think of with helpful breakdowns on how to perform the poses and how they relate to the dharma. While I still enjoy cultivating sit-down meditation, this habit has been absorbed into a larger yoga practice.

If you are a yoga-mom or a secular practitioner, this book paves the middle way for unifying these two systems of mindfulness, insight and serenity. Well worth the read even if you only have a small interest in either mindfulness or wellness.

(Originally posted on my blog: https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2020...)

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to practice yoga, but can't get to a class, this book is a great substitute. You can tailor-make your own workout and go at your own pace. It is also a great supplement to on-going classes to increase your knowledge about yoga in general and specifically about the practice of mindfulness yoga.

What I found most helpful were the large photos of poses that are followed by excellent written descriptions of how to do the pose. I find the directions on when to breathe during the pose to be particularly helpful.

As well, it provides various sets of posing routines that you can choose from to target different needs. Each time a pose is used the same photo and directions are right there. At first it seems superfluous to include the photo each time, but otherwise you would have to interrupt your flow to flip back and search for the first time the pose is described.

A most useful resource for beginners is the alphabetical listing of poses. Now you can finally find out what that darn Sanskrit word means in English.

The other good thing about this book is that it provides a solid background for the philosophy of mindfulness yoga. There is quite a big chunk in the beginning where you can also learn the history of this type of yoga. I skipped that part, but maybe when I am more "awake" I will be able to absorb all that information!

This excellent resource is also available as an e-book.

[Sanga · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complete, clear overview of Buddhadharma and how the mindfulness teachings of the Buddha can guide a practice of asana (no matter what style) and make it a deeper, more meditative practice. It helps to create greater self-understanding so we can free ourselves from our conditioned habits in a gentle, compassionate way. I've learned how to be much less reactive, and yet more affirmative in my daily life.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this book for weeks before finally picking it up and ended up having to bring it back to the library before actually finishing it. My yoga teachers have always integrated meditation with asana so, I didn't realize this wasn't common. This book has nice info about yoga history and different practices that I found interesting.

[Phillip Moffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first to integrate the asana practice of Hatha Yoga with the mindfulness practice of Theravada Buddhism. It begins with an introduction to mindfulness and the Four Noble Truths and then evolves into working with the Four Foundations of Mindfulness in asana. If you’re approaching Buddhism from a yoga background, this is an excellent way to get started.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book - I borrowed this one and want to get my own copy so I can delve in deeper and do some of the sequences. I really liked the detailed descriptions in the beginning, and the way the book was structured.

[Shannon Allstott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting - integrates yoga and meditation. Sorta the way I already practice, and I read this to figure out how to teach it in a way that draws students in. I liked the philosophy presented in the book, but I didn't care for the yoga sequences.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I like most about this book are the sequenses it gives you to practice at home. For me it's definately a keeper!

[Alysa Volpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good.

[Keishua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Very helpful for building a practice.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the amount of information and the sequences given.

[Liora Ellington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully integrated approach to yoga and mindfulness. Mindfulness Yoga offers a profound and accessible blend of Buddhist teachings and traditional asana practice, creating a unified path that nurtures both body and mind. Frank Jude Boccio explains the Four Foundations of Mindfulness with clarity and warmth, making the philosophy meaningful even for beginners. The second half of the book shines with practical sequences, clear instructions, and helpful photos that support a deep, contemplative practice. This book stands out for reconnecting yoga to its spiritual roots while offering guidance that feels grounded, compassionate, and transformative. An inspiring resource for yogis and meditators alike.

[Lindsay Hiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reference tool. The readings at the beginning of the book are very insightful. It’s a nice introduction into understanding and employing mindfulness. The practices are nice too, but it is quite difficult to practice yoga from a book!

[Francisco Fantes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting. The organization of it is a bit confusing, but the overall sentiment is great for someone interested in both mindfulness and yoga. At times, though, the parallels seem a bit forced the way Boccio presents them even though they needn't be.

[Olivia Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review soon....

[An · Rating 4 out of 5]

een heel verhelderend boek over mediteren, niet alleen wanneer je "zit"maar ook yoga oefeningen doet. Een oefening om mee te nemen in je dagelijks leven.

[Jonathan Flack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Highly recommend!