OM Yoga: A Guide to Daily Practice

by Cyndi Lee

Too busy to attend yoga class but can't be bothered to read the endless instructions in the latest yoga book? In OM Yoga: A Daily Practice , celebrated yoga instructor Cyndi Lee brings the rigors and reqards of yoga class to the home with a totally unique method of teaching. Instead of wordy directiosn and minimal pictures, each series of asanas is communicated entirely through easy-to-follow illustrations and tips. Designed in a practical, concealed Wire-O format that lays flat on the floor while being used, OM Yoga is organized in tabbed sections for each day of the week. Monday is devoted to the Sun Salutation to welcome the week's start. Thursday's practice focusses on sitting poses, when the week's energy is dwindling. When joined together, each day's recipe cultivates a yoga practice that is challenging, energizing, and restorative. Including sections on meditation, breathing, and do-it-yourself yoga "recipes" for all levels, OM Yoga: A Guide to Daily Practice creates the possibility for a meaningful yoga practice in the privacy of the home.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fitness, Reference, Health, Self Help, Meditation, Spirituality

128 pages, Spiral-bound

First published June 1, 2002

About the author

Cyndi Lee is the first female Western yoga teacher to fully integrate yoga asana and Tibetan Buddhism in her practice and teaching.  In 1998, she founded the OM yoga Center in NYC, which became a mecca for yogis worldwide.  One of the most influential teachers in the U.S., Cyndi is known for her dynamic and contemplative classes, creative, safe and sane sequencing, smart and soulful teachings -- all offered in a non-competitve environment of goodness.  Be prepared to move, to apply clarity to your alignment, to watch your mind, to sweat, to stay steady, to get bored and let go, to engage and be inspired.  

When she's not on the mat and cushion, Cyndi writes.  Her newest book is the The New York Times critically acclaimed May I Be Happy: A Memoir of Love, Yoga and Changing My Mind.  Other books include Yoga Body, Buddha Mind and OM yoga: A Guide to Daily Practice.  She writes regularly for Yoga Journal, Shambhala Sun, Yoga International and Tricycle Magazine.  Cyndi is a long time student of Gelek Rimpoche.

Reviews

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is good, but not extensive. The format is good though, spiral bound, broken into basics over 7 days and then instruction on how to make your own practice covering all those basics to make an impact on your body and soul.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is how it gives you ideas on how to put things together -- it's well organized, it doesn't have pictures of weird yogis in spandex short shorts, and is easy to flip through. The only downside is that some of the poses are difficult to unpick -- the stick figures are uncomplicated, but that works for and against them at times.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve owned this book for several years, and I keep coming back to it from time to time for guidance and structure. I like the fact that it gives me several possible outlines (“recipes”) to use rather than having to memorize routines. The diagrams are clear and there are just enough pointers to gently guide you. It even feels good in your hands. It is extremely well constructed, with a sturdy spiral binding (at least my copy was made that way), meaning it will lie flat on the floor next to you while you’re trying to figure out how to do the various poses. I love this book!

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the stick figure drawings. I like the spiral-bound format. Good for those new to yoga, but do have some knowledge of it from taking classes.

[Ransom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is illustrated with the author's own stick-figures. Most of the time the stick-figures are awesome, because for a lot of poses (especially if you're already part of a class) the little notes are all you need to get your home practice going.

This is one of the first yoga books I purchased and I learned a great deal about putting practices together by using some of Lee's moves as a foundation. There is a different practice for each day of the week to keep practitioners from doing the same thing day after day, and each day focuses on something like balance or hip-openers. It helped me start my daily practice 8 years ago and it's still a book I look to now and then.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by my instructor. It's a handy book to have around, I like that it's spiral bound. By far the best within my yoga collection. I think it's probably a little easier to use if you already have a basic understanding of yoga(like a few beginner's classes).

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great warmup followed by seven different routines for each day of the week. Stick figures illustrations are really easy to follow.

[Mari D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to this book a few years ago having never done any sort of yoga. The explanations are simple and the pictures of the moves are stick figures yet its fun and understandable!

[Sherry]

going to start this tomorrow May 6th 2009 it is illustrated with stick figures LOL looks like fun sorta

[Lana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sunday poses are a little too advanced for me, but overall it was a nice little book.

[Jtreed06 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for when I can't make it to class.

[Kimba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful but too slight to warrant more than 3 stars.

[shan]

2nd time through this guide. It's amazing how different it is to read these after having done teacher training. I'm so thankful for all I learned there.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Really simple yoga you can do at home in 15-20 minutes.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for people who want to practice at home but need help with variety and sequencing.

[Cathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little do-it-yourself yoga book. Glad I've had the experience of teacher-led classes, though, as the adorable stick figure drawings aren't super clear.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super basic, but I like the sequeces. I wished she used sanskrit though.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely organized and I love the way the stick figures represent the poses.