Yoga of Heart: The Healing Power of Intimate Connection

by Mark Whitwell (Other)

Truth is not something we have to seek out. It is not something that is absent and far away, requiring great effort to find. Truth is present within you as the Life that is you. In Yoga of Heart, Los Angeles-based yoga instructor Mark Whitwell takes us back to the time when yoga was first developed―to the shamanic past of the Upanishads, when yoga was practiced as a means of acknowledging, enjoying, and participating in the very source of Life. Whitwell explores the deeper tantric dimensions of hatha yoga―how yoga’s purpose is to link the mind to the wonder of our own condition. He shows how hatha yoga is participation in life’s polarities already in union―through the male surrender to the female principle. Yoga of Heart shows how we can forge that union of polarities within our body: above and below, front and back, left and right, male and female. Yoga of Heart focuses especially on clearing the energy centers and meridians, fostering dynamic health and allowing practitioners to create a deeper intimacy with both their partners and the energetic life forces in the universe.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Brian Castellani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Whitwell is a truly remarkable presence in the yoga world. I read "Yoga of Heart: The Healing Power of Intimate Connection," after meeting him at Yoga Journal magazine. His roots are with grounded in a solid foundation of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar.

This book is about the simplicity of change when you live through conscious breathing.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things like "Yoga is not an attainment but a participation in the Given." and "We simply feel the beyond as whatever the body is altogether" are the reasons why I read this book every year. I love it. It's difficult to be a part of an industry you wish didn't exist. I chose to teach yoga as my livelihood, and this book steers me straight instead of veering off into watering down my yoga to bring in more people to my school. You may not like his "sutras" at the beginning, but I did. The chapters after that, though, are where the gold is.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read this book. The first time was about 6 years ago. It was much easier to digest this time than the first time. I imagine it’s one of those books that you get more out of it every time you read it.

[Lilach Lavy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book, that- along with Mark Whitwell's full teaching of HOW to practice Yoga-
Gives permission & tools for self-integration.
Mark's teaching helps with receiving ourselves back Home;
Back to embodiment, back to the body, the breath as its' anchor, and back to our simple (inter-related) Humanness.
At times- i found places of joy and beauty in this book- it communicates beautifully with the experience of practicing Yoga with Mark (and his wife, Rosalind).

Just a word of caution for the reader-
Don't try to forcefully adopt Mark's perspective- in expense of your own sincere self enquiry and spiritual exploration.
Every individual have their own Unique path to go through, and their own version and process of "integration".
~

[Lorrie Denesik]

just begining to listen to audio, download ITunes. Excellent. After a chapter or two the point hits home and his sumation of Yoga as Mutuality is beautiful. Will update as I hear more