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Yoga Sadhana for Mothers: Shared experiences of Ashtanga yoga, pregnancy, birth and motherhood
The first book dedicated to the subject of Ashtanga yoga, pregnancy, birth and motherhood.
This in-depth book offers the guidance, shared wisdom and practical advice that every student and teacher of Ashtanga yoga needs for the journey to motherhood and beyond. Covering many aspects of this transformative time in a woman’s life, Yoga Sadhana for Mothers is an invaluable resource for anyone working with pregnant or postpartum yoga students. Includes:
- inspiring, first-hand stories of conception, pregnancy, birth and motherhood written by women practitioners of Ashtanga yoga from around the world, including some of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois’s most long-standing students and influential teachers
- clear, illustrated guidelines on modifying the Ashtanga yoga primary series during pregnancy developed in collaboration with R. Sharath Jois, director of KPJAYI in Mysore, India
- warm, personal interviews with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois’s daughter, Saraswathi Rangaswamy and his granddaughter Sharmila Mahesh, offering insight into family traditions passed down by Jois and his wife Amma
- practical guidance on postpartum recovery using Ayurvedic foods and therapeutic practices to aid healing
- beautiful photographs from the 1980s to the present day, documenting family life and the practice
A heart-warming and indispensable companion for any practitioner of yoga who is hoping to become – or who already is – a mother.
This in-depth book offers the guidance, shared wisdom and practical advice that every student and teacher of Ashtanga yoga needs for the journey to motherhood and beyond. Covering many aspects of this transformative time in a woman’s life, Yoga Sadhana for Mothers is an invaluable resource for anyone working with pregnant or postpartum yoga students. Includes:
- inspiring, first-hand stories of conception, pregnancy, birth and motherhood written by women practitioners of Ashtanga yoga from around the world, including some of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois’s most long-standing students and influential teachers
- clear, illustrated guidelines on modifying the Ashtanga yoga primary series during pregnancy developed in collaboration with R. Sharath Jois, director of KPJAYI in Mysore, India
- warm, personal interviews with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois’s daughter, Saraswathi Rangaswamy and his granddaughter Sharmila Mahesh, offering insight into family traditions passed down by Jois and his wife Amma
- practical guidance on postpartum recovery using Ayurvedic foods and therapeutic practices to aid healing
- beautiful photographs from the 1980s to the present day, documenting family life and the practice
A heart-warming and indispensable companion for any practitioner of yoga who is hoping to become – or who already is – a mother.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2014
33 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 26, 2024
I’m so glad there’s an ashtanga specific pregnancy yoga book out there! I wanted detailed guidance on how to modify my practice without harming myself or my unborn baby and this is book is just that. It offers a modified ashtanga primary series for pregnancy with some trimester-specific notes where appropriate. The principles here have been useful in adapting regular yoga classes for my pregnancy as well. Ashtanga is a twisty, bendy activity and it’s hard to know what’s ok and what isn’t.
The section with stories of pregnancy and birth from the ashtanga community were mostly helpful but I have a few critiques. I know the point was to show a variety of perspectives (home vs hospital birth, medicated vs unmedicated, smooth vs traumatic, c section vs vaginal etc) and to present them all in a validating, affirming light. Great intention and mostly successful! These were some of the first birth stories I read and it was helpful to understand how many directions things can go in.
If I could change it, I’d seek out more people who struggled to conceive to share their stories. While the birth stories were diverse, nearly everyone interviewed conceived easily. Many even on the first try! Conversely, the only story of IVF treatment is one that was quite painful and unsuccessful at the time of the interview. It would be nice to see a range of stories represented here too, given that so many couples go through fertility treatments, require third party conception, or take a very long time to conceive. I know the interviews were sourced from a tight-knit ashtanga community, so maybe they could cast a broader net in a future edition.
One more note about IVF - the book suggests that the ashtanga practice can help provide strength during fertility treatments. Emotionally yes, but there’s no acknowledgement that women undergoing IVF and IUI are at a high risk of ovarian torsion (a life and fertility threatening complication) and have very strict exercise restrictions. I wouldn’t consider ashtanga asana practice safe in these situations. Talk to your doctor, obviously. No question that the practice is great for mental and physical health between cycles though.
The section with stories of pregnancy and birth from the ashtanga community were mostly helpful but I have a few critiques. I know the point was to show a variety of perspectives (home vs hospital birth, medicated vs unmedicated, smooth vs traumatic, c section vs vaginal etc) and to present them all in a validating, affirming light. Great intention and mostly successful! These were some of the first birth stories I read and it was helpful to understand how many directions things can go in.
If I could change it, I’d seek out more people who struggled to conceive to share their stories. While the birth stories were diverse, nearly everyone interviewed conceived easily. Many even on the first try! Conversely, the only story of IVF treatment is one that was quite painful and unsuccessful at the time of the interview. It would be nice to see a range of stories represented here too, given that so many couples go through fertility treatments, require third party conception, or take a very long time to conceive. I know the interviews were sourced from a tight-knit ashtanga community, so maybe they could cast a broader net in a future edition.
One more note about IVF - the book suggests that the ashtanga practice can help provide strength during fertility treatments. Emotionally yes, but there’s no acknowledgement that women undergoing IVF and IUI are at a high risk of ovarian torsion (a life and fertility threatening complication) and have very strict exercise restrictions. I wouldn’t consider ashtanga asana practice safe in these situations. Talk to your doctor, obviously. No question that the practice is great for mental and physical health between cycles though.
March 17, 2024
The information on practicing during pregnancy is good, but the stories of these mothers' pregnancies and births sound so toxic...
January 4, 2015
As a yoga student, this book is a must. I actually pre-ordered it because Sharath Jois recommended it in his 2014 NYC workshop with Eddie Stern.
I have been practicing Ashtanga Mysore style for a little less than a year when I read this book. It is inspirational, informative, and nonjudgmental. In the book introduction, Desai and Wise mention that their intention was "to create something that shows that when it comes to pregnancy, childbirth, and mothering there is no right or wrong way to do things. For this reason there are no definitive answers here [in the book], only information, tips, suggestions, examples, and most importantly, the experience of others to draw from." Well, I think they did excellent.
The book is helpful not only for expecting (or current) mothers. It actually has good information for women in general. For example, the relationship between the bandhas and menstruation; menopause, amenorrhea, etc.
In a nutshell, I expect this book to be a reference for years to come as I continue my practice and (maybe) become a mother.
I have been practicing Ashtanga Mysore style for a little less than a year when I read this book. It is inspirational, informative, and nonjudgmental. In the book introduction, Desai and Wise mention that their intention was "to create something that shows that when it comes to pregnancy, childbirth, and mothering there is no right or wrong way to do things. For this reason there are no definitive answers here [in the book], only information, tips, suggestions, examples, and most importantly, the experience of others to draw from." Well, I think they did excellent.
The book is helpful not only for expecting (or current) mothers. It actually has good information for women in general. For example, the relationship between the bandhas and menstruation; menopause, amenorrhea, etc.
In a nutshell, I expect this book to be a reference for years to come as I continue my practice and (maybe) become a mother.
September 14, 2014
This book is an informative and detailed gem about pregnancy and ashtanga yoga. The sweet stories from yoginis will melt your heart. Anyone who seeks to conceive or is currently pregnant, this book is a most read! Snaps!
April 17, 2017
I'm not expecting, much less expecting to expect, but I'd signed up for a workshop with Sharmila and thought it'd be nice to have read her book. So informative! Any Ashtanga practitioner would find it so and I'm sure I'll use it as a reference in my life. The collection of each yogi's experience through her pregnancy was particularly insightful and enjoyable. I look forward to practicing with Sharmila again- maybe next time in India!
June 16, 2017
Beautiful. Probably not for you if you're not an Ashtangi Yogi.
The book is inspired by Ina May Gaskill's childbirth book. The majority is made up of personal stories of pregnancy, birth and postpartum in relation to Ashtanga yoga practice.
It isn't a book about pregnancy yoga but does give adaptations for people who already have an established practise.
The book is inspired by Ina May Gaskill's childbirth book. The majority is made up of personal stories of pregnancy, birth and postpartum in relation to Ashtanga yoga practice.
It isn't a book about pregnancy yoga but does give adaptations for people who already have an established practise.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews