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Yoga for Transformation: Ancient Teachings and Practices for Healing the Body, Mind,and Heart
Go beyond the physical exercise of yoga with the founder of the American Viniyoga Institute
While there is no denying yoga's popularity as a form of physical exercise, the other life-enhancing aspects of this tradition remain obscure to many Westerners. In Yoga for Transformation , Gary Kraftsow introduces techniques that treat not only the physical body but also the emotions, mind, heart, and soul of the practitioner-the places where real transformation can take place. There are breathing techniques to control energy levels, exercises to train and sharpen the intellect, and meditative practices to help increase self-awareness. With more than 350 black and white photographs throughout, this unique and accessible book is dedicated to strengthening the whole self-body, mind, and spirit.
While there is no denying yoga's popularity as a form of physical exercise, the other life-enhancing aspects of this tradition remain obscure to many Westerners. In Yoga for Transformation , Gary Kraftsow introduces techniques that treat not only the physical body but also the emotions, mind, heart, and soul of the practitioner-the places where real transformation can take place. There are breathing techniques to control energy levels, exercises to train and sharpen the intellect, and meditative practices to help increase self-awareness. With more than 350 black and white photographs throughout, this unique and accessible book is dedicated to strengthening the whole self-body, mind, and spirit.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 20, 2008
I sometimes think to myself that books like this should carry a warning for those yoga enthusiasts who think no further than the sweat and getting their leg behind the head. Warning – this book is not about asana!
To me however this is one of those books that really touches me with regard to the true meaning of yoga. After an overview about yoga during the three stages of life (sunrise, midday and sunset) Kraftsow focuses on the koshas. The five layers of the human being, physical (anamaya), energy (pranamaya), mental (manamaya), wisdom (vijnanamaya) and bliss (anandamaya), are looked at deeply in the five main chapters of this beautifully written book. Each chapter takes us through a new layer of human consciousness, showing us all the blocks and baggage we carefully arrange around ourselves throughout our lives to prevent us from looking much deeper than the physical. But peel away the layers and you can find so much more.
Each chapter ends with a practice. The practice revolves around a few basic yoga postures, the same set of postures for each chapter, but a different focus, a different way of practising that helps us to find the next layer by using breath, mantra, chants and meditations. This book is not about what we practice but how we practice, and how that practice can help us in our dealings with the world around us.
Interestingly Kraftsow teaches the koshas in an unusual way. Traditionally they are taught as being similar to the layers of an onion, which always made me wonder what we were meant to do with the layers we had peeled off. But here they are presented more as layers within a spiral. We can go as deeply as we want and then come back out to the surface again. We can concentrate on one area for a while before moving back to the physical. We can mix and match the practices in any way we feel is right. It is after all ourselves who seek transformation, not anybody else, and the five koshas are five parts of our whole.
What else can I say except beautiful, beautiful. A lot of inspiration for both my own practice and my teaching.
To me however this is one of those books that really touches me with regard to the true meaning of yoga. After an overview about yoga during the three stages of life (sunrise, midday and sunset) Kraftsow focuses on the koshas. The five layers of the human being, physical (anamaya), energy (pranamaya), mental (manamaya), wisdom (vijnanamaya) and bliss (anandamaya), are looked at deeply in the five main chapters of this beautifully written book. Each chapter takes us through a new layer of human consciousness, showing us all the blocks and baggage we carefully arrange around ourselves throughout our lives to prevent us from looking much deeper than the physical. But peel away the layers and you can find so much more.
Each chapter ends with a practice. The practice revolves around a few basic yoga postures, the same set of postures for each chapter, but a different focus, a different way of practising that helps us to find the next layer by using breath, mantra, chants and meditations. This book is not about what we practice but how we practice, and how that practice can help us in our dealings with the world around us.
Interestingly Kraftsow teaches the koshas in an unusual way. Traditionally they are taught as being similar to the layers of an onion, which always made me wonder what we were meant to do with the layers we had peeled off. But here they are presented more as layers within a spiral. We can go as deeply as we want and then come back out to the surface again. We can concentrate on one area for a while before moving back to the physical. We can mix and match the practices in any way we feel is right. It is after all ourselves who seek transformation, not anybody else, and the five koshas are five parts of our whole.
What else can I say except beautiful, beautiful. A lot of inspiration for both my own practice and my teaching.
July 15, 2009
This is a beautiful book that focuses on the different layers of a human - physical, vital, mental, spiritual, and personality - and the yoga practices that bring those into balance. It is a must for someone who is looking deeper than just asana. Gary is well written and his points seem to always hit home. This has been the most helpful book during the process of being trained as a yoga teacher.
May 4, 2014
if you think yoga is all about asana (poses) please read this book. You will end up with a clearer picture of what yoga really is, and your asana practice will improve too!q
September 12, 2021
I took a class with Gary Kraftsow in January of 2020, and was so inspired by his words that I purchased a few of his books for continuing self-study. This book is the first I have read by him and it is incredibly succinct and informative, integrating information on asana, pranayama, and meditation. Highly recommend.
May 11, 2019
This book is best for someone with an established practice, who’s looking to take their practice deeper and find new ways of focusing within their practice.
July 19, 2025
Too much woo.
April 4, 2011
I have tried reading many different yoga books and this one is really not all that different than most. I wasn't really clear on how transformed I would be after reading it, but I did enjoy the different suggestions for using the poses. However, this isn't a book that is good for yoga novices like myself. I couldn't really get enough out of it without a teacher to help.
October 19, 2009
I studied with Gary at the SYTAR conference in LA this year. AMAZING man with incredible knowledge about the body and yoga. This book is excellent and I hope to study with him again.
June 23, 2011
Nice integration of all elements of yoga (breathing, spirit, etc.) I think you'd need to have some background before picking up this book.
September 4, 2013
The second book by my teacher, Gary Kraftsow. A better read for the beginning yogi than his first....
August 3, 2016
This is great book for those who would like to benefit from Yoga as a tool for integration of spirit, mind and the body. It's a book for practitioner with some previous experience.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews