Beyond Power Yoga: 8 Levels of Practice for Body and Soul

by Beryl Bender Birch

Beyond Power Yoga presents and explores the complete journey of the classical astanga yoga system, from power yoga to meditation and liberation. Bender Birch’s first book, the groundbreaking Power Yoga, introduced one level of astanga yoga to mainstream America—a high-heat, high-energy mind/body workout. Now, Beyond Power Yoga presents all eight levels, or limbs, of this ancient method—a total practice for body and soul.

Drawing a parallel between astanga yoga' s eight limbs and the mind/body energy centers (chakras) of Eastern philosophy, Bender Birch shows us how we can balance and heal our body, focus and relax our mind, amplify and direct our energy (prana), and ultimately reclaim our spiritual connection to Universal Consciousness. Each chapter offers specific practices to help the reader uncover and experience the insights of the astanga yoga journey.
Presented in the down-to-earth illuminating style and inspiring voice of the author, illustrated with easy-to-follow photos, plus a special wall chart of the asana sequences, Beyond Power Yoga offers a short form of the dynamic mind/body power yoga method, then journeys through the deeper levels of spiritual practice.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2000

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on yoga I've ever found! Includes breath & meditation exercises as well as showing the poses in different variations for a persons different levels of practice. Very informative!

[Frank Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this book came out just over a decade ago, it is well worth the read! Beryl Bender-Birch offers what she calls "Power Yoga," a derivative of the Astanga-Yoga promoted by Pattabhi Jois. In this book, she uses the eight-limbs of Patanjali to present not just asana, but chapters on ethics, pranayama, dharana and meditation. Each chapter includes practical, useful practices.

And, generally, the practices and her presentation is quite excellent, with occasional forays into a mixture of woo-woo, new-age, and pseudo-science mumbo-jumbo. She says her initial inclination was to leave Chapter 8, regarding samadhi blank, and I think that may have been the better option, because it is in this chapter that the metaphysical woo factor screams off the charts!

So, yes to the seven chapters that come before it, then just close the book and -- as she ultimately suggests -- practice!

[Mander Pander · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a serious/ seriously interested student of yoga, especially one in the school of Ashtanga, this is such an awesome & informative book. Way above even what I could have expected.

I wouldn't say it's a casual read-- it's accessible but definitely information dense. I found that I would read through a section (usually a few pages), then put the book down to digest it for a day or so before coming back to it. I rented this from the library and I'd say that I am definitely buying my own copy now.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. I like Birch's sense of humor, even if I don't always "buy" her experiences as unexaggerated. Furthermore, she is slightly too "cosmic" for me at times. That said, she is smart, funny and experienced on a number of levels concerning yoga and I think her work is extremely accessible to beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. She lives yoga and her writing is a testament to that. If I could choose an American to train under, Beryl Bender Birch would be on the short list.

[Abby Rosmarin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful read for anyone hoping to dive a little deeper into the practice. Beryl's anecdotes are fun and her offbeat way of delivering information makes the drier parts 1000x more palatable. I love her take on the 8 limbs of yoga.

[Cloay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to use it as a self-check manual if you practice Yoga.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. I don't have the time or money to go to yoga in my area so this book makes it possible to practice at home.

[Suzanne Choate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for moving beyond asana.