What do you think?
Rate this book
Moving Toward Balance: 8 Weeks of Yoga with Rodney Yee
Internationally renowned yoga instructor Rodney Yee is the instructor of more than 26 best-selling yoga videos. In Moving toward Balance, he outlines an eight-week program of yoga postures, meditation, and breath awareness designed to lead us toward the emotional and physical balance we all crave in life. Each week introduces a new category of poses--forward bends, twists, backbends, inversions shown with variations to accommodate different levels of strength and flexibility. Along with the instruction, the text explains the significance of each pose and how it contributes on physiological and psychological levels to a complete sense of balance.
At the core of Moving toward Balance is its emphasis on a home practice, enabling you to focus on what works best for your own body. Suitable for yoga students of any level, each lesson is illustrated with full-color photography and is laid out in sequential order, so there is no need to flip back and forth to follow along. There are also chapters on customizing your basic practice to address specific concerns such as lower back pain or PMS, as well as ideas to help keep your newfound practice thriving. Filled with years of Rodney's teaching expertise and more than 300 photographs, Moving toward Balance is the link that you've been searching for between the classroom and the home.
At the core of Moving toward Balance is its emphasis on a home practice, enabling you to focus on what works best for your own body. Suitable for yoga students of any level, each lesson is illustrated with full-color photography and is laid out in sequential order, so there is no need to flip back and forth to follow along. There are also chapters on customizing your basic practice to address specific concerns such as lower back pain or PMS, as well as ideas to help keep your newfound practice thriving. Filled with years of Rodney's teaching expertise and more than 300 photographs, Moving toward Balance is the link that you've been searching for between the classroom and the home.
408 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2004
30 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 4, 2016
I personally loved this book. I had never really done much Iyengar yoga and always enjoyed a more flowing practice, but found that I really liked the practices and how they built on each other. I learned things about the poses and my body that were certainly limiting my practice. With the help of this book I am now able to get into camel pose, something that I had only done once before in two years of on and off yoga. This book has shown me the proper poses for preparation and counter poses for many asanas and has helped bring and understanding to the poses and how they work together that I never had before.
I liked that each pose was given 3 variations to find out which is most comfortable for your level. I also enjoyed the "Point of Play" for the poses so you can find your comfort zone in each or maybe where you need work.
The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because I think it might be very difficult to learn yoga solely from a book. I would recommend this book for anyone who has had a few classes or done a few instructional yoga dvd's that would help with good alignment and form. That way you can check yourself and it will help you to understand some of the descriptions used for each pose and the correct way to get into a pose or help with the flow of a sun salutation.
I have scanned and printed many of the practices in this book and take them on vacation with me because I have enjoyed them so much. I will certainly be going through this book again and again in my home practice.
I liked that each pose was given 3 variations to find out which is most comfortable for your level. I also enjoyed the "Point of Play" for the poses so you can find your comfort zone in each or maybe where you need work.
The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because I think it might be very difficult to learn yoga solely from a book. I would recommend this book for anyone who has had a few classes or done a few instructional yoga dvd's that would help with good alignment and form. That way you can check yourself and it will help you to understand some of the descriptions used for each pose and the correct way to get into a pose or help with the flow of a sun salutation.
I have scanned and printed many of the practices in this book and take them on vacation with me because I have enjoyed them so much. I will certainly be going through this book again and again in my home practice.
April 8, 2009
I am not really "done" with this book, and it is taking me far longer than 8 weeks, but I can write my review now! This is a fantastic, easy to follow, detailed and inspiring guide to builing a home yoga practice. Rodney Yee takes you through 8 weeks (or more if you are me!) of yoga practice to learn poses, gain strength and flexibility and fall in love with yoga. Then he has a section for building your own practice using the poses that you have learned. I would not recommend it for someone who has never taken yoga, but for someone who goes to class and wants to be able to "do that at home" without watching the same DVD a hundred times.
June 30, 2011
A beautiful book reflective of the spiritual nature of yoga rather than the fitness-only aspects typically emphasized by beginning yoga resources. Pictures are very easy and minimalistic to use for reference, and anatomical guidance is provided to ensure the reader is practicing the pose correctly. Includes variations for people of various skill levels and emphasizes the importance of a longer yoga practice, which again is frustratingly absent from most get-fit-quick-appropriate-culture beginner's resources. It also includes variations for use during menstruation, which feels very inclusive and is another element typically disregarded by many Western yoga guides. Super super super.
July 25, 2007
A beautiful book chock full of information. This book is an extensive introduction to learning the basics and intricacies of yoga poses. Rodney Yee takes you through sequences to try at home that build on each other over a period of 8 weeks. A great resource for learning more about poses and building a home practice that feels good and makes sense.
June 19, 2008
Good book to help guide a home yoga practice. It doesn't provide as much instruction on each pose as would be necessary for a beginning student, so this book would need to be read alongside Iyengar's Light on Yoga, or another solid instructional book. The book is beautiful, fun to look through and read, and provides a wealth of home practices for Iyengar students in a flow-yoga dominated world!
May 15, 2008
I got this because I thought I lost my other Yoga book on my move to the US. I wanted to have simple pictures, simple explanations to look up asanas and read about their effect. You would not think how hard it is to find a book like that. The bonus is the 8-week program that I might do one day but currently 2-3 times a week is enough for me.
July 21, 2008
Very good introduction to starting a home yoga practice. I wouldn't recommend it to those just trying yoga for the first time as it is hard to learn the nuances of aligment without an instructor. It's great as a supplement to classes or after taking a few classes to learn the basics.
July 21, 2010
I love Rodney Yee's yoga videos, and I loved this book. I rented it from the library, but I think it's worth buying, as the routines are pretty useful. But I don't think I'll ever be able to do a head-stand, Rodney!
April 20, 2007
One of the best--if not the best--intro to yoga out there.
July 28, 2011
really good book if you want to design a yoga practise at home
September 24, 2013
Great instruction of how to get started in yoga. Beautiful pictures and helpful description.
I had to look elsewhere for its history and purpose.
I had to look elsewhere for its history and purpose.
September 24, 2008
Excellent break down of developing a personal yoga practice.
March 24, 2020
I really like this book. I've wanted to learn yoga for decades, but using a video didn't work for me. (Stiff neck from trying to watch the screen, constantly grabbing the remote to pause or rewind...) I've tried a few books but they left me under- or overwhelmed. This one is "just right".
Each week focuses on a different type of yoga position so you're constantly learning and growing. The first day Yee has you practice every new position in three different variations. Mark the ones that feel best to you and use them as you continue to practice through the week. Then blend in more the next week. It's a great way to learn and keeps me from getting bored. It's important in yoga to focucs on what your body is doing and how it feels, and the variations helped me do that. They also kept me from feeling like a failure when I couldn't do the "correct" pose. I just did the one that's "correct" for me at that time!
There are tons of pictures of every pose in this book, along with suggestions on how to tweak them to find the perfect pose for you on the day you're practicing. I also appreciated the fact that Yee always includes a thumbnail picture of each pose so you never have to stop and try to remember "Which one is that?"
There are a lot of positive reviews for this book that suggest it for experienced yoga practitioners, but I can vouch for the fact that this overweight, 6oish woman who's never done yoga before started and has continued a valuable yoga pratice, all thanks to this book. Just be sure to read the opening chapters and the one at the end that answers readers questions. That, a mat and some yoga blocks will have you doing sun salutations and tree poses in no time. Enjoy.
Each week focuses on a different type of yoga position so you're constantly learning and growing. The first day Yee has you practice every new position in three different variations. Mark the ones that feel best to you and use them as you continue to practice through the week. Then blend in more the next week. It's a great way to learn and keeps me from getting bored. It's important in yoga to focucs on what your body is doing and how it feels, and the variations helped me do that. They also kept me from feeling like a failure when I couldn't do the "correct" pose. I just did the one that's "correct" for me at that time!
There are tons of pictures of every pose in this book, along with suggestions on how to tweak them to find the perfect pose for you on the day you're practicing. I also appreciated the fact that Yee always includes a thumbnail picture of each pose so you never have to stop and try to remember "Which one is that?"
There are a lot of positive reviews for this book that suggest it for experienced yoga practitioners, but I can vouch for the fact that this overweight, 6oish woman who's never done yoga before started and has continued a valuable yoga pratice, all thanks to this book. Just be sure to read the opening chapters and the one at the end that answers readers questions. That, a mat and some yoga blocks will have you doing sun salutations and tree poses in no time. Enjoy.
September 8, 2020
I followed this from week 1-week 5. Lots of good information and practice ideas for proper alignment and modifications of poses to work your way towards the full pose.
Overall I loved this book.
Overall I loved this book.
January 5, 2018
Great book for learning and remembering yoga positions. It's taken me longer then 8 weeks to do the program due to my schedule but I've really enjoyed it.
June 7, 2014
I recommend this book for folks who have some experience with yoga, but would like to add a personal practice at home to their daily lives.
I have taken yoga classes for years. I have had many teachers, some well educated, some just starting out. I have practiced at home on a fairly regular basis for years as well. This book took everything to the next level. I can't stop talking about it. Moving Toward Balance is meant to be a supplement to your regular practice. This is something you can do every day, on your own, for about an hour a day. It is divided into sections by week. Each week has a theme, such as twists. The fist day of the week includes in-depth descriptions of each pose and walks you through different variations. Then each following day puts the poses together into a daily practice, always concluding with relaxation and meditation. The last day of the week focuses only on relaxation and meditation. And you get one day off!
When I first got the book, my schedule allowed me to do yoga every day. I was amazed at how quickly I gained strength all over my body. The descriptions were teaching me things about each pose that I had never learned before. I could do some of the poses, but not all, and the book guided me through getting closer and closer to the full pose.
There are even weeks in which I learned to do HANDSTANDS. And I could really do the supported pose! I have been feeling great about the accomplishments I have made and the new things I have tried.
As my life got more busy in the following weeks, I could only get to "my yoga'" maybe every other day. This has not been a problem. I am almost done with the entire book now (about 12 weeks total) and plan to start at the beginning as soon as I am done. I am so much stronger and more flexible and more confident than I was at the beginning of the program, so I want to start over and gain even more knowledge with my new abilities!
***Why this book is better than any video or class (except for one-on-one progressive classes)***
I can take this book with me anywhere. I don't need a TV. I can do my practice at a soccer game or in the woods. I can take it to a friend's house.
It builds on itself. Soemthing you learn in week one will be used in week two. By the end, the routines put together everything you have learned and shows you how to create your own routine. Most classes in my area are drop in, which means that they are at a level i.e. intermediate and stay at that level with out progressing. You will never try a headstand and you will never have an easy restorative practice if your only class is intermediate. This book takes you from wherever you are and brings you up.
I can stop anytime and not worry about pausing. I can start the practice, go start the rice cooker, go back to practice. My kids can interrupt me between poses and it doesn't bother me because there is not video to stop. I can take a rest and drink some water. I can answer the phone. There is no need to pause or try to catch up.
I can take as long as I want in each pose. Sometimes I really need a longer stretch to fully feel the pose. Sometimes my abs are sore from pilates and I can only hold a pose for half the recommended time. With the book, I can truly do my own practice with guidance instead of rushing to keep up with an instructor. I can actually really do what the instructors always want: I can FOLLOW MY OWN BREATH!
I can cut out poses that hurt. I have an acute knee injury and I have easily been able to work around it by avoiding poses that exacerbate the pain. No big deal.
The book includes routines for menstruating women and for restorative poses during illness, so you can keep on going even if you aren't feeling so great. This is good for me, because sometimes if something falls out my daily routine, it is lost forever!
*** props you need ***
If you are going to do this whole book you are going to need some props: a block, a strap (or a belt of towel), some blankets that can be neatly folded, a bolster (I got a great one from YogaAccessories here on Amazon for about $35), and a mat.
Good luck. I would love to hear about your experience with this book!
I have taken yoga classes for years. I have had many teachers, some well educated, some just starting out. I have practiced at home on a fairly regular basis for years as well. This book took everything to the next level. I can't stop talking about it. Moving Toward Balance is meant to be a supplement to your regular practice. This is something you can do every day, on your own, for about an hour a day. It is divided into sections by week. Each week has a theme, such as twists. The fist day of the week includes in-depth descriptions of each pose and walks you through different variations. Then each following day puts the poses together into a daily practice, always concluding with relaxation and meditation. The last day of the week focuses only on relaxation and meditation. And you get one day off!
When I first got the book, my schedule allowed me to do yoga every day. I was amazed at how quickly I gained strength all over my body. The descriptions were teaching me things about each pose that I had never learned before. I could do some of the poses, but not all, and the book guided me through getting closer and closer to the full pose.
There are even weeks in which I learned to do HANDSTANDS. And I could really do the supported pose! I have been feeling great about the accomplishments I have made and the new things I have tried.
As my life got more busy in the following weeks, I could only get to "my yoga'" maybe every other day. This has not been a problem. I am almost done with the entire book now (about 12 weeks total) and plan to start at the beginning as soon as I am done. I am so much stronger and more flexible and more confident than I was at the beginning of the program, so I want to start over and gain even more knowledge with my new abilities!
***Why this book is better than any video or class (except for one-on-one progressive classes)***
I can take this book with me anywhere. I don't need a TV. I can do my practice at a soccer game or in the woods. I can take it to a friend's house.
It builds on itself. Soemthing you learn in week one will be used in week two. By the end, the routines put together everything you have learned and shows you how to create your own routine. Most classes in my area are drop in, which means that they are at a level i.e. intermediate and stay at that level with out progressing. You will never try a headstand and you will never have an easy restorative practice if your only class is intermediate. This book takes you from wherever you are and brings you up.
I can stop anytime and not worry about pausing. I can start the practice, go start the rice cooker, go back to practice. My kids can interrupt me between poses and it doesn't bother me because there is not video to stop. I can take a rest and drink some water. I can answer the phone. There is no need to pause or try to catch up.
I can take as long as I want in each pose. Sometimes I really need a longer stretch to fully feel the pose. Sometimes my abs are sore from pilates and I can only hold a pose for half the recommended time. With the book, I can truly do my own practice with guidance instead of rushing to keep up with an instructor. I can actually really do what the instructors always want: I can FOLLOW MY OWN BREATH!
I can cut out poses that hurt. I have an acute knee injury and I have easily been able to work around it by avoiding poses that exacerbate the pain. No big deal.
The book includes routines for menstruating women and for restorative poses during illness, so you can keep on going even if you aren't feeling so great. This is good for me, because sometimes if something falls out my daily routine, it is lost forever!
*** props you need ***
If you are going to do this whole book you are going to need some props: a block, a strap (or a belt of towel), some blankets that can be neatly folded, a bolster (I got a great one from YogaAccessories here on Amazon for about $35), and a mat.
Good luck. I would love to hear about your experience with this book!
February 8, 2015
I always come back to Rodney when I fall off my yoga path, he is insightful, thought provoking, and an expert in his field. I started my journey in yoga with his dvd's, he is like comfort food for my soul.
I finally got around to reading this book and learned a lot about the poses and variations to help me in my practice. I felt like I was studying yoga in a new way, learning to use props and incorporating deeper thought into my routine. Being more mindful in each pose and listening to my body. I found the variations to be exceptionally helpful.
I finally got around to reading this book and learned a lot about the poses and variations to help me in my practice. I felt like I was studying yoga in a new way, learning to use props and incorporating deeper thought into my routine. Being more mindful in each pose and listening to my body. I found the variations to be exceptionally helpful.
August 20, 2014
I harbor a great fondness for Rodney Yee, having grown up practicing his AM/PM yoga videos on VHS with my mom and sisters. This is an excellent introductory book, with very clear, instructive photographs and text. The proliferation of yoga videos online makes reading a book for yoga less tempting, but if you wanted to begin your yoga practice sans video, this would be the book to choose. Planning on keeping it for the full length of my library hold so that I can use it as a morning guide...
August 10, 2012
This book was given to me several years ago when I was in the midst of planning a wedding. Rediscovering it this year, made me truly wish I had paid more cadence to practicing at home at that time. Anyone who only practices yoga in the studio should read this book. Yee gives so many wonderful tips about life and learning about ourselves and our bodies through practicing at home.
August 1, 2015
This is a book that one is never really
meant to "finish" reading. It will be a reference that I will use often in my home yoga practice. I wouldn't recommend the book for a beginner, as the alignment of the poses isn't given great amount of detail to. However, I'd highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to augment their existing at home yoga practice with fresh ideas for sequencing.
meant to "finish" reading. It will be a reference that I will use often in my home yoga practice. I wouldn't recommend the book for a beginner, as the alignment of the poses isn't given great amount of detail to. However, I'd highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to augment their existing at home yoga practice with fresh ideas for sequencing.
October 14, 2007
I like this book because I can take it at my own pace. I feel like yoga videos and classes often go way to fast for me.
However, I haven't been able to get past week five yet. I keep starting and stopping and starting again.
However, I haven't been able to get past week five yet. I keep starting and stopping and starting again.
Want to read
September 21, 2007my-books
Read
June 9, 2008Good resource for someone who has never meditated. I recommend it to my clients.
January 23, 2010
namaste, y'all.
March 31, 2015
Wonderful program, loved every day I was following this. This is an easy way to start yoga if you are interested!
October 3, 2012
excellent
December 20, 2012
This book helped me do Shirhasana (headstand) in yoga class. Good reference.
Want to read
November 8, 2013Recommended for it's coverage of using props.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews