Awakening the Spine: The Stress-Free New Yoga that Works with the Body to Restore Health, Vitality and Energy

by Vanda Scaravelli

A revolutionary new method of yoga for overall fitness that teaches "if it hurts, it's wrong'"--from a vibrant 83-year-old master.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Meditation, Self Help

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 1991

About the author

Vanda Scaravelli (1908-1999) was an influential yoga teacher whose intuitive approach helped shape the practice of yoga in the West. She began studying in her fifties with B. K. S. Iyengar, who taught her asanas, and T. K. V. Desikachar, who guided her in pranayama. Working without a formal lineage, she developed a gentle method centered on breath, gravity, and the natural movement of the spine. With longtime students Diane Long and Esther Myers, her approach continued to evolve and inspire new practitioners. Scaravelli requested that no school be named after her, though many today teach what is called Scaravelli-inspired yoga.

Reviews

[Erica]

This is not a book to read in order to learn yoga. Rather, it gives a depth of understanding to an existing yoga practice. Beautiful.

[Mag]

Beautifully illustrated, but not so well written (or is it the translation that's ailing?), it was interesting, but not life changing. Interesting since Scaravelli, just like me, discovered yoga later in her life- in her late forties. Taught by Iyengar and Desikachar, she went on to establish her own yoga school based on her ideas regarding breath, gravity and the spine. She voices her theories in the book. She became quite well known and regarded before dying 50 years later in her nineties.

[Michelle]

"Movement is the song of the body."

[Bloodorange]

I understand the mixed impressions people have of this book. I know Vanda Scaravelli was, in the words of Erich Schiffmann, like another Krishnamurti (whom she studied under) - someone who transcended the formal conventions of yoga and was able to do it her own way. I was curious what this book is.

Vanda Scaravelli definitely had the master voice. I can easily imagine an eighty-three-year-old author, who had already said everything, dictating the short essays that make up this book in sentences with falling cadence. Every now and than a nugget of wisdom throws you off balance, yet I didn't feel the need, upon finishing this book, to revisit my post-its, nor did I feel that there was something groundbreaking in it for me. Maybe if I had more serious practice, who knows. My main takeaways this time are: a) inhabit the back of the body (we all tend to live at the front of it and lean forward way too much) and b) try breathing until the bottom of the lungs are filled every now and then.

[Judy Lindow]

Awakening the Spine is sort of an odd book. It looks like an easy read, there are a lot of pictures, but there are some points she makes about yoga and our bodies that I've never read about before. The most fascinating to me is the significance she places on the lower back, a point where the body extends upwards and downwards at the same time as a result of gravity - a sort of magical junction.

For example, in this analogy that compares a tree to a body she writes, "This central point of the tree, where it touches the earth's surface, corresponds in our body to the waist at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra, where the human spine moves in both directions. Goethe said that he could understand the falling of the apple (that gave Newton the idea of gravity) but he could not understand how a tree could grow in two opposite directions. This inexplicable cosmic interconnection of dynamic movements, following the law of gravity, is the same that moves the planets and holds the different worlds together.".

She writes: "We have three friends: gravity, breath, and wave (connected with the supple movement of extension along the spine). These three companions (fused in one) should be constantly with us. Her premise has perfect timing for me as I've recently become very interested in both breath and the spine - specifically the fluidity of the spine. She points out that extension and cartilage health through practice can be developed at any age.

The author expresses the importance of the spine, breathing, and practice. She talks about spine and nerve development, and our connection to the earth. Also interesting is that she writes about probable yoga practice in early Egypt - which is an insight in Shanon Gannon's (Jivamukti Yoga founder) new book.

The book was written 30 years ago which probably places her experience and education with BKS Iyengar about half a century ago.

[Joy]

Lovely collection of photos and meditations on incorporating yoga philosophy into daily life.

One catch: The language often feels awkward. I don't know why the editor didn't step in more. I suspect the weird syntax has to do with translating Italian (whether that was done by the author herself or someone else). Sometimes, reading something written by Yoda, I was feeling, yes.

[emilie]

Her yogic technique is far better than her writing skills. I enjoyed the last section where she demonstrates different postures.

[Rob Martin]

Not your average yoga book.

[Shuyi Chua]

A beautiful book. Wisdom captured in small readings and sections. Love the choice of accompanying images.

[Leon Hermanson]

More of a scrap book than text book. Only for experienced yogis. Took a few tips from it, but my spine remains dormant...

[Sydney]

Worth reading for the images alone.

[Lark Frazier]

This isn't really a how-to of yoga, it's a why-to. The visual elements of this book were lovely and each section felt like a nourishing snack.

[Marisa Marchi]

Affascinante!!!! Un libro che va al di là dei consigli pratici sul praticare yoga ma che ti porta ad una conoscenza più approfondita del corpo e che ne fa apparire la parte più affascinante dello yoga. Uno stile di vita! Come se le posizioni (gli asana) portassero ad una connessione tra la flessibilità del corpo all' approccio con la vita! Ripeto, affascinante!!!

[Tristan Alaba]

An interesting and valuable addition to understanding and practicing yoga as a way of life - by seeing the spine and other key body parts for their worth, posture and breathing improves, giving life to the body and raising well-being.

[Barb Golub]

I think this book is a must for every yoga teacher's shelf; practitioners will love it, too. Scaravelli offers really accessible ways to understand the function of the spine—from a physical, and energetic, perspective. She talks about the importance of the feet in feeling grounded, and suggests ways to make this an inherent part of one's yoga practice. The last part of the book is all asana, but not a specific, particular sequence. Instead, Scaravelli gives classes of poses that can help beginners, intermediate and advanced students lengthen and extend their spine, for maximum access to relaxation and breath.

[Lindsay Terry]

I found this book at a college used book sale in 2006. Or, I feel that it found me... truly. At a time I needed the wisdom within its pages - it became my companion. I’ve read it over many many times and have been privately practicing yoga ever since. Her writing is powerful and poetic, and helps you understand why one should practice yoga for themselves - not as a show for anyone else or a competition. I recommend his book for anyone interested in self development, yoga, philosophy, or poetry. One of my all time favourite books, especially on the subject of yoga.

[Mary Karpel-Jergic]

A beautiful book of prose and pictures that provide an insight into yoga. This is not just a book of poses (in fact I'm not sure books are the best way to learn poses; much better to have an instructor to guide you) but an introduction to a new way of life and a fresh way of looking at the world. This is an updated version of a classic so has really stood the test of time. The author is/was a remarkable woman.

[Judy LJ]

A beautiful book that guides you through the intricacies of the spine through science, nature, religion & spirituality, drawing from various ancient philosophies and with emphasis on the role of gravity in and around the body. She encourages you to have an intuitive approach to practicing the physical postures of Yoga; it is very inspiring to learn about the importance of movement from a woman who took up yoga in her 50's and carried it with her until her death at 91!

[Pedro Testi]

This is not a book about yoga positions ( asanas ), although you will find some photos and comments regarding certain postures.
Every page contains in simple paragraphs and photographs on concepts of being, finding peace, breathing and existing in peace in a chaotic world.

[Laura]

This book is so much more than what it sounds like from the title. It is full of wisdom, inspiration and beautiful photographs.

[Marianne Meyers]

Beautiful, beautiful book. So knowledgeable, so simple, so clear, so loving. Seeing the photos of Vanda in asana are inspiring at her advanced age.

[Trobagis]

Best yoga book out there!

[Jose Gomez]

iyuyu

[Ryan Dixon]

A key book for me, to back me up with Yoga practice and Yoga teaching.

[Antony Mayfield]

This is a lovely book about yoga. Not immensely practical but a must-read if you are learning Scaravelli yoga, and I'd imagine would be useful for Hatha practitioners generally.

[John Hawkins]

Beautiful images, sweet soul.

[Pupak Haghighi]

Life changing, enlivening, highly recommended.

[Tracey Agnew]

Beautifully illustrated and poetic investigation of yoga and the basis for Scaravelli inspired yoga

[Lily Rose Maryja Broderick]

I read this book every few years. It's a treasure of beauty.

[Melody]

I know it’s an iconic book, by an iconic woman, but I’m not thaaat impressed. Just a bunch of word dumps imo