Yoga Mind, Body and Spirit : A Return to Wholeness

by Donna Farhi

With over 200 photographs and illustrations, 'Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit' sets forth the tenets of this gentle yet rigorous exercise as no other book has. Integrating the teachings of every tradition, internationally renowned yoga instructor Donna Farhi reveals how yoga enhances the connections between the mind, body, and spirit. She outlines the seven simple movement principles that underlie all human motion and provides exercises to help readers understand how they can achieve all yoga postures. She also discusses the ten ethical precepts that are the foundation of all yoga teachings and explains how to incorporate them into a spiritually and emotionally rewarding inner practice. At the heart of 'Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit' are more than seventy-five yoga asanas or postures. Each one is pictured and described in detail, and they are arranged into related groups -including standing postures, sitting postures, arm balances, and breathing practices - for easy reference. A huge resurgence of interest in yoga is sweeping the western world. With its broad scope and holistic approach, 'Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit' is the ideal book to meet this interest.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Spirituality, Bodies, Unfinished, Reference, Philosophy

286 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Andrew Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much releasing and relaxing to do..

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed!

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Admittedly, I wasn't a fan of the writing style, but it was chock full of useful information.

[Raffaello Palandri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book of the Day – Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit

Today’s Book of the Day is YOGA MIND, BODY & SPIRIT, written by Donna Farhi in 2020 and published by Holt Paperbacks.

Donna Farhi is one of the most respected and renowned yoga teachers in the world. She is also the author of five books on practising and teaching yoga.

I chose this book because I checked it searching for a specific quote in the last few days.

Are you looking to deepen your yoga practice and rediscover a sense of wholeness?

If you, like me, are looking for holistic practices that go beyond pure physical fitness and instead cultivate a profound connection between mind, body, and spirit, then Donna Farhi‘s YOGA MIND, BODY & SPIRIT: A RETURN TO WHOLENESS is one of the most enjoyable resources to read.

Farhi presents yoga not as a mere exercise routine. This book goes deep into the heart of this ancient practice, weaving together the rich tapestry of several yoga traditions. Her expertise shines through as she unpacks the philosophy and core principles that underpin the various asanas.

The readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the practice, understanding how each movement strengthens and aligns not just your body, but also your mind and spirit.

The author manages to skillfully delve into the core principles of yoga, drawing from various traditions to create a well-rounded approach. She explains how seemingly simple movements, when done correctly, can have profound effects, not just on your physical flexibility and strength, but also on your mental clarity and holistic well-being.

One of the most captivating aspects of this book is Farhi‘s ability to bridge the gap between philosophy and the practical. She doesn’t shy away from explaining the profound spiritual aspects of yoga, but she also grounds them in clear, actionable steps.

You’ll find meticulously detailed instructions for over 75 asanas, accompanied by beautiful illustrations and photographs. Farhi also provides useful modifications of the asanas, adapted for different levels of experience, thus allowing beginners to build a strong foundation and seasoned practitioners to further push their practice’s boundaries.

But YOGA MIND, BODY & SPIRIT goes beyond the description of the asanas. The author dedicates significant space to exploring the art of pranayama, the yogic breathing practice.

She unveils the power of this ancient science of breathwork to calm the mind, energize the body, and unlock a sense of inner peace. Furthermore, the book also delves into meditation, offering practical guidance on cultivating focus and establishing a daily practice that can effectively complement your yoga journey.

Farhi‘s writing is a true gift. She weaves together scientific insights with poetic language, making even the most intricate concepts accessible and inspiring. Her approach to yoga is balanced and extremely knowledgeable. In this way, this book becomes more of a reference text than a classic reading one. From time to time I return to this book when I need to find some confirmations for my yoga practice and classes.

Whether you’re a complete novice or a seasoned yogi, this book has the potential to transform your practice. It’s a comprehensive guide that empowers you to tailor yoga to your unique needs and goals, ultimately leading you on a path to greater self-awareness and a profound sense of wholeness.

[Tamara Wasylenky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Donna Farhi's approach to yoga. It is just so balanced. For me, this is more of a reference book than a book to read cover to cover. I make a return to this book when I need some new inspiration for my yoga practice or classes, or when I need to be reminded of the true nature of yoga. So good!

[Robyn Hennigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoga Principles Explained

Wonderful guide for all levels of practice from beginners to teachers. Beneficial photographs depicting “do’s and don’ts”. Suggestions for sequencing by theme.

[Ursula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting deeper into the practice of yoga. This book was good for that. It wasn't always super exciting to read but I am glad I was able to dive deeper into my practice and do better with my asanas.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for “yoga” minded people. A book I will always go back to

[Eleonora Rini]

It's a book full of knowledge, and deep understanding of how the human body works.
Hands down, this is a very complete guide to yoga practice.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and complete book on yoga.
Everything is clearly explained.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting and useful guide on my yoga teaching journey. Definitely one that I'll come back to.

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. I read it in pieces during my yoga teacher training and it is one I will continually go back to for clarity and inspiration.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful to those in yoga teacher training or yoga teachers. Avid yoga practioners would find it interesting, too.

[aly ☆.。.:* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favourite book from my ytt, I come back to it often. Really recommend for beginners :,)

[genie · Rating 1 out of 5]

una estrella nada mas porq era una vaina de la universidad y taba harta de la materia

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite yoga book.

[Tin Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book any yoga. I have been doing regular meditation for the post three years. I have read a few books about the Eastern Philosophies. And it was about time to start diving into yoga.

I would recommend this book to novice yoga practitioners. It starts with a very thorough explanation about the body and it’s most important parts. And then builds on that to show a rich collection of postures asanas.

What I took from this book was the tools to start forming a yoga practice. I have started really slow with the most basic inquiries (not even with the postures). And I plan to reread the book sometime next year.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a yoga student desires more information about yoga, this is THE first book I recommend. It's an excellent general introduction to the subject, including lovely insight into the yamas and niyamas and a number of sequences designed for certain physical, structural and energetic results. There are photos, drawings and diagrams that explain everything from alignment in certain asanas to how the energetics of the neuroendocrine system is arranged. This was the first yoga book I bought, way back when, and remains my most-referenced yoga book.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I practice yoga daily. What I like about this book is that it gives a fairly good overview of what of your body is engaged in yoga practice. It's not just about the asanas; it's about what's internally going on with the body when practicing yoga and gives great tips on how to embrace not force the asanas. Plain English too, no jargon.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot to offer but I read the physiology and breathing sections with the most interest. The illustrations are helpful as are the observation exercises. I borrowed this from the library but it would be useful to have at home as a reference book because of the amount of useful information.

[Leticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is comprehensive and easy to follow. It was my primer during my studies to become a Registered Yoga Teacher. Donna is an inspirational teacher (I took a workshop with her)and she is very down to earth...I only wish she came to the states more often.

[Ms Piot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite book on yoga for health and wellness. Wonderful visual representations of complex concepts, wonderful explanations of the subtle body's workings, and how yoga can be used to maintain and balance these energies.

[kyle]

Excellent. Beautifully written, extremely user-friendly, simplistic and yet deep at the same time. Right now definitely the book I recommend to yoga newbies who wants a little philosophy and lots of practical information.

[Zahrah Awaleh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a read of certain chapters, and not only does it provide instructions on how to do asanas, but groups them together into families, and explains the physical, emotional, and spiritual side of them without being too heavy. I'll buy this asap.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic yoga reference full of essential poses for all levels. I only wish it contained an index!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the main text for my Yoga Teacher Training program, so I've been working with it since October. More to go, but the book is fantastic.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good basic yoga practice guide. Lots of theory along with the actual poses.

[Tracy]

I own this book. I love the body awareness/movement sections of the book.

[Kate Lumsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

very useful and so well structured. helped me redefine the way i teach inversions

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

there is a large part of the text the references the use of Adana along with detailed. descriptions and drawing