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Jivamukti Yoga: Practices for Liberating Body and Soul
The long-awaited,
complete guide to the popular, vigorous American method of yoga that is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom and scriptures
“In this day and age of health and fitness trends, it is assuring to know that Sharon and David encourage their students to draw inspiration from the classical texts of Yoga and timeless scriptural sources. What I appreciate so much about David and Sharon is how they help their Yoga students to understand and appreciate the wisdom of all the great saints and jivamuktas who have contributed to raising consciousness. Ultimately, it is Self-Realization, that is the true goal of Yoga.”
–SRI SWAMI SATCHIDANANDA
Creators of the extremely popular Jivamukti Yoga method and cofounders of the New York City studios where it is taught, Sharon Gannon and David Life present their unique style of yoga for the first time in book form. As they explain their intensely physical and spiritual system of flowing postures, they provide inspiring expert instruction to guide you in your practice.
Unlike many books about yoga, Jivamukti Yoga focuses not only on the physical postures but also on how they evolved–the origins of the practices in yoga’s ancient sacred texts and five-thousand-year-old traditions–the psychotherapeutic benefits that accrue with a steady practice, and the spiritual power that is set free when energy flows throughout the mind and body. Jivamukti Yoga, which means “soul liberation,” guides your body and soul into spiritual freedom, physical strength, peace of mind, better health, and Self-realization–the ultimate goal of any practice. Gannon and Life help you understand each of the practices that comprise the yoga path to enlightenment:
AHIMSA–The Way of Compassion: choosing nonviolence, respecting all life, practicing vegetarianism, living free of prejudice
ASANA–The Way of Connection to the Earth: postures and sequences, breathing, transforming energy, understanding the bandhas
KARMA–The Way of Action: creating good karma, giving thanks
NADAM–The Way of Sacred Music: appreciating the sacred sounds of yoga
MEDITATION–The Way of the Witness: how to sit still and move inward
BHAKTI–The Way of Devotion to God: living with love, grace, and peace
Whatever yoga you practice, Jivamukti Yoga will help you to strengthen and deepen that practice and lead you onto a path of spiritual clarity and self-discovery.
“If there is only one book you read about the practice of Yoga, this should be the one. Sharon and David are deeply dedicated students and teachers of Yoga who have the rare capacity to translate their profound understanding to the reader. This book is for anyone who wishes to find transformation through Yoga. I’m grateful for their work and teaching.”
–STEPHAN RECHTSCHAFFEN, MD
Co-founder & CEO, Omega Institute
“In this day and age of health and fitness trends, it is assuring to know that Sharon and David encourage their students to draw inspiration from the classical texts of Yoga and timeless scriptural sources. What I appreciate so much about David and Sharon is how they help their Yoga students to understand and appreciate the wisdom of all the great saints and jivamuktas who have contributed to raising consciousness. Ultimately, it is Self-Realization, that is the true goal of Yoga.”
–SRI SWAMI SATCHIDANANDA
Creators of the extremely popular Jivamukti Yoga method and cofounders of the New York City studios where it is taught, Sharon Gannon and David Life present their unique style of yoga for the first time in book form. As they explain their intensely physical and spiritual system of flowing postures, they provide inspiring expert instruction to guide you in your practice.
Unlike many books about yoga, Jivamukti Yoga focuses not only on the physical postures but also on how they evolved–the origins of the practices in yoga’s ancient sacred texts and five-thousand-year-old traditions–the psychotherapeutic benefits that accrue with a steady practice, and the spiritual power that is set free when energy flows throughout the mind and body. Jivamukti Yoga, which means “soul liberation,” guides your body and soul into spiritual freedom, physical strength, peace of mind, better health, and Self-realization–the ultimate goal of any practice. Gannon and Life help you understand each of the practices that comprise the yoga path to enlightenment:
AHIMSA–The Way of Compassion: choosing nonviolence, respecting all life, practicing vegetarianism, living free of prejudice
ASANA–The Way of Connection to the Earth: postures and sequences, breathing, transforming energy, understanding the bandhas
KARMA–The Way of Action: creating good karma, giving thanks
NADAM–The Way of Sacred Music: appreciating the sacred sounds of yoga
MEDITATION–The Way of the Witness: how to sit still and move inward
BHAKTI–The Way of Devotion to God: living with love, grace, and peace
Whatever yoga you practice, Jivamukti Yoga will help you to strengthen and deepen that practice and lead you onto a path of spiritual clarity and self-discovery.
“If there is only one book you read about the practice of Yoga, this should be the one. Sharon and David are deeply dedicated students and teachers of Yoga who have the rare capacity to translate their profound understanding to the reader. This book is for anyone who wishes to find transformation through Yoga. I’m grateful for their work and teaching.”
–STEPHAN RECHTSCHAFFEN, MD
Co-founder & CEO, Omega Institute
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2002
137 people are currently reading
918 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 5, 2014
This is an article on the three most impacting quotes from the Gannon/ Life book, along with my personal take-away and experiences.
Reflection on Gannon/Life Book:
This is my big take-away from the book: that I had everything to do with where I am now; that I must set aside “I know,” so that I can be taught; and that the vibrations of yoga allow me to transform through cat-cow-cobra-dog.
I had everything to do with where I am now. Sometimes it’s tempting to take credit as my individual effort for everything I do and say. However, if not for efforts of those who have gone before me or for the graces of the Divine, I would not have the actions or words I have.
In physics, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. So too, in my life, do my actions have effects. For example, if I have a bad day at work through no fault of my own and go home with a negative attitude, the result, if I choose to maintain the negative attitude, is that I will say hurtful things to those around me. My friends and family around me will remember these hurtful words and it will have a negative impact on my future.
On the other hand, if, instead, after by bad day at work, I let it go—I lift it up to God—I say “good day, bad day, I don’t know”—I say “ah, so”—I ask that “God’s will be done,” I go home with a positive, or at least tolerant, attitude, the result, if I choose to embrace the positive attitude, is that I will be loving and gentle with those around me. At the very least, I will have the clarity to think “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” and I will withhold negative comments to those around me. Again, my friends and family will remember this version of me and give me that benefit in the future.
The quote from Gannon/ Life that inspired this thought is:
Each soul is working out what it must on its road back to the Source. When you accept that you will never know the real story behind someone else’s karma, you can stop envying or pitying others. You can start paying attention to your own karma, your own actions. You are the agent for your fate. You had everything to do with where you are now. What you did before matters. What you are doing now matters. What you are thinking now matters. * The yogi accepts a pleasant turn of events with equanimity, knowing that pleasure and pain never last forever. Yogis accept difficulties as opportunities to work out bad karma. It is wise to give thanks for everything that happens, knowing that the present situation can change in an instant. (page 45)
I must strive to set aside “I know” so that I may be taught. There’s something special to be about a student-teacher relationship. Sometimes the parties don’t even know they’re in that kind of relationship.
I want to take a second to evaluate the rare moments when I may fill the role of teacher: around my siblings, around the youth group students I volunteer with, around non-lawyers, and when tutoring on high school subjects. This said, all the “students” have something to teach me: my siblings all have gone on different life paths than me and have fantastic stories to share; the youth group students have such enlightened insights I can’t help but learn from; non-lawyers often see and seek clarity and simplicity in the round-about, difficult, complicated explanations I given them; and my high school tutoring students challenge me to be a committed person.
Now that I’ve identified when I may be the teacher, I must acknowledge, accept, embrace that I am usually the student. With my man, I am always learning form his kindness and generosity to be more patient with people and given them the benefit of the doubt. With lawyers, I am always learning how to do my job better—learning to review briefs and letters more thoroughly; learning to put up with more difficult personalities; and learning to stay strong in adversity.
I’m always learning. I don’t know, and I can embrace my “I don’t know.”
The quote from Gannon/ Life that inspired this thought is:
When you come before any teacher, set aside “I know,” so that you can be taught. (page 70)
Now we come to cat-cow-cobra-dog. This is how I like my asana practice. When I go to the gym by myself, after cardio and weights, I clear my mind for the day with my asana practice: mountain, breath in, arms to sky on inhale, arms arched back on exhale, dive into a forward fold, inhale, exhale, adjust legs and knees, inhale, exhale, step feet back to plank, inhale, exhale, inhale, push down on exhale, cobra on inhale, down dog on exhale, hold for inhale, exhale, adjust legs, inhale, exhale, adjust shoulders, inhale, step legs up to arms on exhale, inhale forward bend, exhale, inhale and roll up to mountain. Repeat. When in next down dog, drop knees and inhale, exhale, look at sky and arch back on inhale in cat, release all air and look through legs as spine is rounded in cow, repeat. This is so basic and I’m so in love with these movements and how they make me feel, that cat-cow-cobra-dog struck me intensely.
The quote from Gannon/ Life that inspired this thought is:
Each asana is a unique vibrational expression of an aspect of manifestation. In each vinyasa krama, you experience the flowing river of life as you become cat-cow-ocbra-dog. When we place ourselves in an asana, we express both the vibrational essence of its Sanskrit name and the vibrational essence of the life form that the asana embodies. (page 155)
Reflection on Gannon/Life Book:
This is my big take-away from the book: that I had everything to do with where I am now; that I must set aside “I know,” so that I can be taught; and that the vibrations of yoga allow me to transform through cat-cow-cobra-dog.
I had everything to do with where I am now. Sometimes it’s tempting to take credit as my individual effort for everything I do and say. However, if not for efforts of those who have gone before me or for the graces of the Divine, I would not have the actions or words I have.
In physics, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. So too, in my life, do my actions have effects. For example, if I have a bad day at work through no fault of my own and go home with a negative attitude, the result, if I choose to maintain the negative attitude, is that I will say hurtful things to those around me. My friends and family around me will remember these hurtful words and it will have a negative impact on my future.
On the other hand, if, instead, after by bad day at work, I let it go—I lift it up to God—I say “good day, bad day, I don’t know”—I say “ah, so”—I ask that “God’s will be done,” I go home with a positive, or at least tolerant, attitude, the result, if I choose to embrace the positive attitude, is that I will be loving and gentle with those around me. At the very least, I will have the clarity to think “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” and I will withhold negative comments to those around me. Again, my friends and family will remember this version of me and give me that benefit in the future.
The quote from Gannon/ Life that inspired this thought is:
Each soul is working out what it must on its road back to the Source. When you accept that you will never know the real story behind someone else’s karma, you can stop envying or pitying others. You can start paying attention to your own karma, your own actions. You are the agent for your fate. You had everything to do with where you are now. What you did before matters. What you are doing now matters. What you are thinking now matters. * The yogi accepts a pleasant turn of events with equanimity, knowing that pleasure and pain never last forever. Yogis accept difficulties as opportunities to work out bad karma. It is wise to give thanks for everything that happens, knowing that the present situation can change in an instant. (page 45)
I must strive to set aside “I know” so that I may be taught. There’s something special to be about a student-teacher relationship. Sometimes the parties don’t even know they’re in that kind of relationship.
I want to take a second to evaluate the rare moments when I may fill the role of teacher: around my siblings, around the youth group students I volunteer with, around non-lawyers, and when tutoring on high school subjects. This said, all the “students” have something to teach me: my siblings all have gone on different life paths than me and have fantastic stories to share; the youth group students have such enlightened insights I can’t help but learn from; non-lawyers often see and seek clarity and simplicity in the round-about, difficult, complicated explanations I given them; and my high school tutoring students challenge me to be a committed person.
Now that I’ve identified when I may be the teacher, I must acknowledge, accept, embrace that I am usually the student. With my man, I am always learning form his kindness and generosity to be more patient with people and given them the benefit of the doubt. With lawyers, I am always learning how to do my job better—learning to review briefs and letters more thoroughly; learning to put up with more difficult personalities; and learning to stay strong in adversity.
I’m always learning. I don’t know, and I can embrace my “I don’t know.”
The quote from Gannon/ Life that inspired this thought is:
When you come before any teacher, set aside “I know,” so that you can be taught. (page 70)
Now we come to cat-cow-cobra-dog. This is how I like my asana practice. When I go to the gym by myself, after cardio and weights, I clear my mind for the day with my asana practice: mountain, breath in, arms to sky on inhale, arms arched back on exhale, dive into a forward fold, inhale, exhale, adjust legs and knees, inhale, exhale, step feet back to plank, inhale, exhale, inhale, push down on exhale, cobra on inhale, down dog on exhale, hold for inhale, exhale, adjust legs, inhale, exhale, adjust shoulders, inhale, step legs up to arms on exhale, inhale forward bend, exhale, inhale and roll up to mountain. Repeat. When in next down dog, drop knees and inhale, exhale, look at sky and arch back on inhale in cat, release all air and look through legs as spine is rounded in cow, repeat. This is so basic and I’m so in love with these movements and how they make me feel, that cat-cow-cobra-dog struck me intensely.
The quote from Gannon/ Life that inspired this thought is:
Each asana is a unique vibrational expression of an aspect of manifestation. In each vinyasa krama, you experience the flowing river of life as you become cat-cow-ocbra-dog. When we place ourselves in an asana, we express both the vibrational essence of its Sanskrit name and the vibrational essence of the life form that the asana embodies. (page 155)
August 8, 2008
This is the best overview book on yoga I have ever read. It is descriptive enough that even very beginners can pick it up and get to practicing right off. It doesn't just emphasize what most westerners think of as "yoga"- the asanas, or physical practices, but they give equal weight to, and highlight the importance of, all eight limbs of the yogic path, making clear connections between each limb. I love how devoted to the history of yoga these authors/teachers remain, and how accessible they make even the oldest and somewhat perplexing yogic texts to readers. The emphasis on ahimsa- non-violence, is refreshing and bold, as I think some pretty popular yoga teachers/studios today gloss over this key adherance to try to make yoga easier to digest and sell to potential practitioners. I think the ideas discussed in ths book really makes the reader question his/her own choices and responsibilities as an individual living in a more urban society that tends to value materialism and selfishness over true compassion and generosity. Some folks might find it a bit preachy, but I think there is something here for anyone interested in learning yoga or meditation, or just curious about how to live with more awareness and even-mindedness.
July 16, 2009
Very cool people, these two. Both former musicians/performers/artists, they created Jivamukti Yoga (self-liberation). They studied in India under Pattabi Jois among others. They are very very political in the animal rights and vegan realm. I got to take some of there classes last year at the SWYC.
August 10, 2016
I am currently reading it. From the very first moment the book arrived, I just could not wait to start it. I left the other books I was reading to have all the time to begin with it.
I am absolutelly and totally in love. One of my bests. It talks about philosophy, concepts, stories, âsanas... You can really feel what yoga means getting an special touch.
I am absolutelly and totally in love. One of my bests. It talks about philosophy, concepts, stories, âsanas... You can really feel what yoga means getting an special touch.
January 7, 2019
This is a book to change your way of thinking. It is more like Be Here Now than a typical yoga book.
Although there are practices covered in this book, these practices are covered elsewhere.
The main benefit of this book, in my opinion, is changing the way you view the world.
This book needs to be read slowly. There are points where this gets too new agey/preachy for me (there is plenty of PETA propaganda which I agree with but didn't ask for).
Although there are practices covered in this book, these practices are covered elsewhere.
The main benefit of this book, in my opinion, is changing the way you view the world.
This book needs to be read slowly. There are points where this gets too new agey/preachy for me (there is plenty of PETA propaganda which I agree with but didn't ask for).
February 28, 2012
I really connect with the Jivamukti style, it being focused on the cultivation of compassion for ourselves, others, and the world around us. It's includes detailed information that delves into important topics of yoga. Also, I find it extremely for helping transform your practice, with many outlines for how to structure up your home practice.
July 10, 2019
Founded by artists in NYC’s East Village in 1983, Sharon Gannon and David Life, Jivamukti Yoga is a
highly meditative but physically challenging style of yoga. Sharon and David combined their Ashtanga background, learning from Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, with ancient and modern spiritual teachings: a Jivamukti class will incorporate chanting, affirmation, and meditations in a physically rigorous asana practice. Jivamukti makes yoga - spiritual yoga- cool. Sting writes the Foreword for Jivamukti Yoga, and the celebrity book blurbs show the spectrum of star power, everyone from Russell Simons to the Beastie Boys has nothing but good things to say. Funnily enough, when I Googled Jivamukti Yoga, I picked up an article about Kate Moss practicing Jivamukti on the first page of Google. To be honest, this is either a testament to the celebrity fan club or a sign that the marketing team for Jivamukti Yoga needs to get their SEO act together.
Sharon and David are bhakti yogis - they believe in self-liberation, that it is the only internal revolution you can have, and that yoga practice is about devotion and connection to god. God here can be thought of as connecting to the Big Self, to the Universal Consciousness. It's clear Sharon and David know their stuff. Want to know about karma? Want to know about vinyasa krama - the art of sequencing? Why it is called vinyasa, what are the outer and inner vinyasas? Meditation? Breathing? The power of mantras, of chanting? Jivamukti Yoga has got you covered. It is true what other reviewers have noted - their explanations are simple without simplifying complex ideas. It is a good foundation from which to dive deeper if you wish.
Sharon and David are vegans and don't shy away from the topic. They believe in yoga off the mat and Jivamuki Yoga is a way of life, of ethical social activism. There is a chapter discussing the importance of veganism. I geeked out in the teacher chapter, and have been practicing the sample classes they provide in the book. I love the names for sequences like Fish Play, but also the names for certain pose and bind combinations; Secret Prayer is strictly how I refer to Parsvottanasana with prayer bind on the back. I did notice their sample sequences go from closed hips to open hips. This is something my teachers deviate from Jivamukti, as we do not sequence closed to open, as a general rule of thumb.
Although my teachers are influenced by Jivamukti, I haven't had the opportunity to practice a Jivamukti class in my neck of the woods, which is why I am super excited to try out a class in their LA studio this summer! Absolutely loved reading Jivamukti Yoga. I spent a few months reading it to digest it and will certainly return to it.
highly meditative but physically challenging style of yoga. Sharon and David combined their Ashtanga background, learning from Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, with ancient and modern spiritual teachings: a Jivamukti class will incorporate chanting, affirmation, and meditations in a physically rigorous asana practice. Jivamukti makes yoga - spiritual yoga- cool. Sting writes the Foreword for Jivamukti Yoga, and the celebrity book blurbs show the spectrum of star power, everyone from Russell Simons to the Beastie Boys has nothing but good things to say. Funnily enough, when I Googled Jivamukti Yoga, I picked up an article about Kate Moss practicing Jivamukti on the first page of Google. To be honest, this is either a testament to the celebrity fan club or a sign that the marketing team for Jivamukti Yoga needs to get their SEO act together.
Sharon and David are bhakti yogis - they believe in self-liberation, that it is the only internal revolution you can have, and that yoga practice is about devotion and connection to god. God here can be thought of as connecting to the Big Self, to the Universal Consciousness. It's clear Sharon and David know their stuff. Want to know about karma? Want to know about vinyasa krama - the art of sequencing? Why it is called vinyasa, what are the outer and inner vinyasas? Meditation? Breathing? The power of mantras, of chanting? Jivamukti Yoga has got you covered. It is true what other reviewers have noted - their explanations are simple without simplifying complex ideas. It is a good foundation from which to dive deeper if you wish.
Sharon and David are vegans and don't shy away from the topic. They believe in yoga off the mat and Jivamuki Yoga is a way of life, of ethical social activism. There is a chapter discussing the importance of veganism. I geeked out in the teacher chapter, and have been practicing the sample classes they provide in the book. I love the names for sequences like Fish Play, but also the names for certain pose and bind combinations; Secret Prayer is strictly how I refer to Parsvottanasana with prayer bind on the back. I did notice their sample sequences go from closed hips to open hips. This is something my teachers deviate from Jivamukti, as we do not sequence closed to open, as a general rule of thumb.
Although my teachers are influenced by Jivamukti, I haven't had the opportunity to practice a Jivamukti class in my neck of the woods, which is why I am super excited to try out a class in their LA studio this summer! Absolutely loved reading Jivamukti Yoga. I spent a few months reading it to digest it and will certainly return to it.
May 29, 2012
I resisted reading this book for a long time. As a professional yoga teacher, I kind of detest 'signature yoga methods' and I was vaguely creeped out by Gannon and Life's photo being worshipped on the altar at my local Jivamukti studio. However, this book is an amazing resource for teachers and students. I was surprised to find my prejudices against the authors softened by their earnestness and the great respect they have for their own teachers, which shines through in the book. I'm keeping a copy in my library to re-read.
July 4, 2011
Love me, love my crazy yoga books. A great thorough book on yoga & meditation. Well done.
May 16, 2016
A very interesting book, easy to read (which is not always the case with book about yoga), very well illustrated. Even a beginner can read it and I think it's amazing.
August 11, 2016
As a Jivamukti student, I loved reading David and Sharon's story.
March 16, 2025
Jivamukti Yoga by Sharon Gannon and David Life is more than just a yoga manual—it’s a holistic exploration of yoga as a spiritual, ethical, and physical practice. Rooted in ancient yogic teachings, the book blends asana (physical postures) with philosophy, devotion, and activism, particularly emphasizing ethical vegetarianism and compassion.
At times, the book’s strong advocacy for veganism and spiritual commitment felt intense, but it also challenges the reader to examine their choices beyond the mat. The writing is passionate and deeply rooted in traditional texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras, making it a compelling read for those interested in yoga beyond just the physical practice.
At times, the book’s strong advocacy for veganism and spiritual commitment felt intense, but it also challenges the reader to examine their choices beyond the mat. The writing is passionate and deeply rooted in traditional texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras, making it a compelling read for those interested in yoga beyond just the physical practice.
March 19, 2025
Jippi!
September 28, 2021
I am Jivamukti yoga practitioner for almost 4 years, and this book was very special. However, surprisingly for me, I found myself being doubtful about the philosophy of the practice a few times while reading. What did not happen to me before. I found it somehow… targeting an American reader. Which was disappointing.
July 28, 2025
Geweldig boek over yoga, zowel het innerlijke als uiterlijke ervan
October 1, 2024
Very nice book about the philosophy of the Jivamukti yoga and where Sharon and David got their inspiration from.
I marked many part of the book and it is definiteley one to re-read at some point.
I marked many part of the book and it is definiteley one to re-read at some point.
October 11, 2023
loved all the reinventing yoga idea and old school new york vibe, but considerable part of the book sounded a bit cultish
January 1, 2021
200 Yoga Teacher Training August 2020
MY PERSONAL IMPRESSION:
God is mentioned a lot in this book. More so than in any other book I have read in my entire adult life. Yoga is not just prejudged as being part of a “different” religion or its own religion in the modern world, but in some ways has moved so far away from the practice’s initial intention, it is almost unrecognizable.
The western world has completely modernized yoga into a “craze”, “the newest thing” or a “trend”. Most people, myself included, started practicing yoga as a form of exercise or relaxation, and not for the purpose of seeking enlightenment and becoming one with One’s Higher Self.
The hardest part for me to read was the ego sections. It made me feel uncomfortable and I know myself well enough to know that something that makes me feel ‘itchy and uncomfortable’ is something that I need to look at a bit closer and evaluate ‘why?’ .
For me personally, the asanas illustrated in this book are a bit advanced, but I like that there is a list of postures and poses at the end of the book as a reference.
THE MOST VALUABLE COMPONENT FOR ME
It provides an in-depth and clear outline of the history of yoga and the intention of yoga practice.
This book was an eye-opener for me. In a lot of ways, this book challenges you to reevaluate your intention when practicing yoga, as well as your intention when living and moving through everyday life.
It reminded to look inside myself for changes and improvements, instead of waiting for someone (or something else) to “fix the world”.
An elaboration on how this material could be useful for a yoga teacher
The material in the appendixes are very helpful when putting together a sequenced class or if you need a guide on which poses form part of which practices.
From a different point of view, I believe it is important for a yoga teacher to know that you will have different students walking into your class:
1. The student that is in class purely for the fitness and physical part of the practice 2. The student that is seeking enlightenment and bliss, and trying to work towards being one with One’s Higher Self and 3. The student that is trying to figure out if they are the 1st student, the 2nd student or the student that is perhaps somewhere in between.
As a yoga teacher, is quite a big responsibility and seems quite daunting. I don’t think a teacher’s classes should cater for either the one or the other but have a good balance between both.
Because I think we are all just striving for some balance in life.
My favorite quote:
“We Spend the first half of our lives developing a personality and the second half defending it because we worked so hard on it."
MY PERSONAL IMPRESSION:
God is mentioned a lot in this book. More so than in any other book I have read in my entire adult life. Yoga is not just prejudged as being part of a “different” religion or its own religion in the modern world, but in some ways has moved so far away from the practice’s initial intention, it is almost unrecognizable.
The western world has completely modernized yoga into a “craze”, “the newest thing” or a “trend”. Most people, myself included, started practicing yoga as a form of exercise or relaxation, and not for the purpose of seeking enlightenment and becoming one with One’s Higher Self.
The hardest part for me to read was the ego sections. It made me feel uncomfortable and I know myself well enough to know that something that makes me feel ‘itchy and uncomfortable’ is something that I need to look at a bit closer and evaluate ‘why?’ .
For me personally, the asanas illustrated in this book are a bit advanced, but I like that there is a list of postures and poses at the end of the book as a reference.
THE MOST VALUABLE COMPONENT FOR ME
It provides an in-depth and clear outline of the history of yoga and the intention of yoga practice.
This book was an eye-opener for me. In a lot of ways, this book challenges you to reevaluate your intention when practicing yoga, as well as your intention when living and moving through everyday life.
It reminded to look inside myself for changes and improvements, instead of waiting for someone (or something else) to “fix the world”.
An elaboration on how this material could be useful for a yoga teacher
The material in the appendixes are very helpful when putting together a sequenced class or if you need a guide on which poses form part of which practices.
From a different point of view, I believe it is important for a yoga teacher to know that you will have different students walking into your class:
1. The student that is in class purely for the fitness and physical part of the practice 2. The student that is seeking enlightenment and bliss, and trying to work towards being one with One’s Higher Self and 3. The student that is trying to figure out if they are the 1st student, the 2nd student or the student that is perhaps somewhere in between.
As a yoga teacher, is quite a big responsibility and seems quite daunting. I don’t think a teacher’s classes should cater for either the one or the other but have a good balance between both.
Because I think we are all just striving for some balance in life.
My favorite quote:
“We Spend the first half of our lives developing a personality and the second half defending it because we worked so hard on it."
July 7, 2020
An interesting read, if you’re interested in the bios of the founders of the Jivamukti school/style of yoga. The asana sequences are not for beginners, but neither is their style, generally speaking. Lots of great info and inspiring stuff.
January 24, 2013
I liked this book because it provided a very accessible view of yoga. There were very thoughtful approaches to yoga, and I felt the book was completely sincere. As a musician, I really appreciated the emphasis placed on music in the practice -- from just livening things up to chant and items that are more devotional.
The area that I wasn't sure I aligned was with their suggestion that yoga might be a religion, rather than a philosophy. I could see the Gannon's perspective on this matter, but feel that yoga is best left as a philosophy. Casting yoga as a religion, I believe, would be restrictive. It is currently creating great turmoil in parts of the US, with Encinitas coming to mind.
Overall, I would recommend the book. I would love to visit the Jivamukti studio in New York. One of the influential teachers in my life offers a Jivamukti practice, and reading the book enhance my understand of this manifestation of a contemporary yoga practice.
The area that I wasn't sure I aligned was with their suggestion that yoga might be a religion, rather than a philosophy. I could see the Gannon's perspective on this matter, but feel that yoga is best left as a philosophy. Casting yoga as a religion, I believe, would be restrictive. It is currently creating great turmoil in parts of the US, with Encinitas coming to mind.
Overall, I would recommend the book. I would love to visit the Jivamukti studio in New York. One of the influential teachers in my life offers a Jivamukti practice, and reading the book enhance my understand of this manifestation of a contemporary yoga practice.
July 25, 2007
I have to admit - I have not read every page of this book but I find it to be a great reference for sequencing a yoga class and setting up a vigorous vinyasa practice. Even without having read the meat of the book yet I find this to be a great resource.
November 23, 2017
I devoured this book. An American introduction to Yoga, and the culture surrounding it. Definitely worth re-reading if you are seriously incorporating Yoga as a lifestyle.
June 4, 2025
I got this because Jivamukti has a reputation as a form of yoga that does a good job of integrating politics and yoga philosophy, and also because I'd previously enjoyed a series of podcasts by one of their teachers, Alanna Kaivalya, although she has since branched off on her own.
As an introduction to yoga philosophy, it's not bad, but I didn't feel the philosophy and politics sat that well together - there were some seeming contradictions between chapters. The philosophy sections were aimed at a more basic level than I was expecting or looking for, but the sections on asana practice assume that the student is either quite advanced or is studying with a teacher face-to-face; there are no how-to instructions, and a beginner trying to follow the sequences from the photographs in this section could easily injure themselves.
Overall, I'd recommend this for beginner Jivamukti students as a supplement to classes, or for students with a good foundation in asana from a gym class or another very physically-focused style who want to learn some of the philosophy, meditation etc in order to go a little deeper.
As an introduction to yoga philosophy, it's not bad, but I didn't feel the philosophy and politics sat that well together - there were some seeming contradictions between chapters. The philosophy sections were aimed at a more basic level than I was expecting or looking for, but the sections on asana practice assume that the student is either quite advanced or is studying with a teacher face-to-face; there are no how-to instructions, and a beginner trying to follow the sequences from the photographs in this section could easily injure themselves.
Overall, I'd recommend this for beginner Jivamukti students as a supplement to classes, or for students with a good foundation in asana from a gym class or another very physically-focused style who want to learn some of the philosophy, meditation etc in order to go a little deeper.
May 8, 2019
Overall, I think this is a fantastic book that balances yogic philosophy, practice, and anecdotes from their experience. I appreciate the work and point of view of Sharon Gannon and David Life. A recording of her Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bahvantu chant was the chant of my yoga teacher training and I'm about to begin reading her Yoga and Vegetarianism. Her writing is straight forward but full of heart, which I relate to and enjoy how it sparks my interest and reflection. My only dislike comes from a personal distrust of some of the gurus referenced within the book, such as Bhagavan Das who appears to me as a misogynist who takes advantage of the young women around him. I'm unsure how such a "guru" squares with ideas of Satya and Ahimsa. If you can separate the portions and advice attributed to Bhagavan Das out, then you will likely enjoy the book more.
April 6, 2025
Jivamukti is a yoga practice that originated in New York City by two performers/artists in the 1980’s. This book is an essential read for anyone looking to go deeper into this yoga practice, and in my experience, everything taught in this book is exactly what a Jivamukti teacher teaches in his/her classes. Excellent read by two amazing Yogis, and the forward was written by Sting!
May 19, 2018
detailed overview of all aspects of jivamukti yoga. There is much more than the Asana practice, and while I don't necessarily agree with every thing written, it was interesting to learn about and left a lot to think about as well as a lot of things to practice.
January 10, 2022
Accessible to those without much knowledge of yoga and a deep enough dive to teach the experienced yogi, Life and Gannon present a full and artfully presented picture of yoga for the serions Western practitioner.
March 7, 2019
Manifesto of the Jivamulti school
Read for my yoga teacher training.
Read for my yoga teacher training.
August 6, 2020
Jivamukti yoga really liberated me.
July 6, 2022
Good introduction to yoga in general. Connects with the Western ideas and doesn't appropriate Eastern philosophy.
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