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Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha/2008 Fourth Revised Edition
Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha is recognised internationally as one of the most systematic yoga manuals today. Since it's first publication by the Bihar School of yoga in 1969 it has been reprinted thirteen times and translated into many languages. It is the main reference text used by Yoga teachers and students of Bihar Yoga/Satyananda Yoga within the International Yoga Movenet, and many other traditions as well.
This comprehensive text provides clear illustrations. step by step directions and details of chakra awareness. It guides the practitioner or teacher from the simplest to the most advanced practices of hatha yoga system. A therapeutic index is provided for use by doctors and yoga therapists incorporating recent information from research into yoga. This edition successfully brings the exposition of yoga practices to the standard of a university text.
This comprehensive text provides clear illustrations. step by step directions and details of chakra awareness. It guides the practitioner or teacher from the simplest to the most advanced practices of hatha yoga system. A therapeutic index is provided for use by doctors and yoga therapists incorporating recent information from research into yoga. This edition successfully brings the exposition of yoga practices to the standard of a university text.
544 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
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3181 people want to read
About the author
Satyananda Saraswati
376 books239 followersSwami Satyananda Saraswati was a sannyasin, yoga teacher and guru in both his native India and the West. He founded the International Yoga Fellowship in 1956 and the Bihar School of Yoga in 1963. He has authored over 80 books, including the well-known Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, recognised internationally as one of the most systematic yoga manuals today. Since its first publication by the Bihar School of yoga in 1969 it has been reprinted seventeen times and translated into many languages.
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December 17, 2011
This is the third asana practice based book I've reviewed, the others being Iyengar's classic Light on Yoga (LoY) and Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness by Erich Schiffmann. This yoga manual (the back cover refers to it as a "reference text") from the Bihar School of Yoga is heavy on substance and light on frills.
What I mean is clear as soon as you open the book. Instead of photos of lithe yogins and yoginis (think Schiffmann) or intimidating poses of Iyengaresque perfection, what you get is simple black and white drawings with lots of descriptive text. Readers searching for a soft and cuddly yoga text might be put off by this, but they would be cheating themselves if they then closed the book. For what is contained in these pages is quite possibly the most complete and authoritative "cookbook" for yoga practice I've ever seen.
Those who've read my review of LoY may well be surprised by this statement. Indeed, there are ways in which LoY is definitely superior-most notably in its extensive five-year plus asana program, as well as therapeutic programs to treat specific ailments. But there are also ways-important ways-that Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha (henceforth APMB) has the edge.
First is the organization of the asanas. In Iyengar's text asanas proceed generally from less advanced to more advanced, but there are no internal divisions among the asanas. For example, if you want to find just the forward bending asanas, you can't do it via the table of contents. Instead, you'll have to sift through the text, looking at the pictures or, if you know the specific asanas you're looking for, go to the index. If you're just going by Iyengar's routine as outlined in the back of the text, this is okay, but if you're wanting to use the book in a more free-style fashion, then this is less than ideal.
APMB, by contrast, is intelligently arranged for someone who wants to take charge of their yoga routine. A peek at the table of contents immediately shows what I mean. The major division is by experience level-beginner's group, intermediate group, and advanced group-but then within each of these groups the asanas are arranged according to their specific characteristics. So for example, under the intermediate group you have asanas that employ padmasana, or forward bending practices, or spinal twisting, etc. The beginner's group is especially well suited for complete neophytes, and it would be advice well heeded to not begin the intermediate practices until you're thoroughly comfortable them. They include warm-ups (the pawanmuktasana series), relaxation postures, standing postures, vajrasana-based postures and others, including surya and chandra namaskara.
I think also the descrptions for each asana are in general better than in LoY. A typical posture has the following: a black and white hand drawn picture, a detailed description of how to enter and exit the pose, then, each with bold headings (to easily pick them out), details on breathing, duration (how long to hold, how many times to do), awareness (where to concentrate), sequence (in relation to other postures), contraindications and benefits. What more could you possibly ask for?
And this is just for asanas. Fully 160 pages are devoted to detailed discussions of a progressive pranayma course, mudras (and how to integrate them into practice), and bandhas. As an added bonus, you even get a section on shatkarma-practices on physical and mental "cleansing". By comparison, Iyengar devotes a measley 37 pages to these subjects, but has nothing on mudras or shatkarma.
I guess the only serious complaint I have about the book is that it lacks the sort of pre-programmed courses that are so helpful in LoY. This is sort of made up for in the sections on "sequence"; however, it seems the writers at the Bihar School of Yoga are still practicing an approach to asana that seems to have gone out of style in the last twenty years or so. This is the notion that every pose should be followed by its "counter-pose." (Please someone correct me on this if I have gotten it wrong!) Erich Schiffmann suggests a quite different approach (pp. 349-50), which I've adopted: e.g. emphasis on standing postures one day, then forward bends, then backbends, then the cycle repeats. Every day should have twists and inversions, and you're never too old for sun salutations. APMB is perfect if you adopt this mode of practice, because the organization of the text is tailored to suit. Yet another point in this fine work's column!
The only other suggestion for improvement I would make is that the section on yogic "subtle" physiology probably should have been moved up toward the front of the book, before the asanas, as part of the general course on yoga terminology. As it stands now, someone reading into the text will see references to visuddhi chakra etc and possibly not know what this means because the terms are not introduced until the end. This is a small complaint though, and I think it would be hard for anyone to go wrong with this book.
What I mean is clear as soon as you open the book. Instead of photos of lithe yogins and yoginis (think Schiffmann) or intimidating poses of Iyengaresque perfection, what you get is simple black and white drawings with lots of descriptive text. Readers searching for a soft and cuddly yoga text might be put off by this, but they would be cheating themselves if they then closed the book. For what is contained in these pages is quite possibly the most complete and authoritative "cookbook" for yoga practice I've ever seen.
Those who've read my review of LoY may well be surprised by this statement. Indeed, there are ways in which LoY is definitely superior-most notably in its extensive five-year plus asana program, as well as therapeutic programs to treat specific ailments. But there are also ways-important ways-that Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha (henceforth APMB) has the edge.
First is the organization of the asanas. In Iyengar's text asanas proceed generally from less advanced to more advanced, but there are no internal divisions among the asanas. For example, if you want to find just the forward bending asanas, you can't do it via the table of contents. Instead, you'll have to sift through the text, looking at the pictures or, if you know the specific asanas you're looking for, go to the index. If you're just going by Iyengar's routine as outlined in the back of the text, this is okay, but if you're wanting to use the book in a more free-style fashion, then this is less than ideal.
APMB, by contrast, is intelligently arranged for someone who wants to take charge of their yoga routine. A peek at the table of contents immediately shows what I mean. The major division is by experience level-beginner's group, intermediate group, and advanced group-but then within each of these groups the asanas are arranged according to their specific characteristics. So for example, under the intermediate group you have asanas that employ padmasana, or forward bending practices, or spinal twisting, etc. The beginner's group is especially well suited for complete neophytes, and it would be advice well heeded to not begin the intermediate practices until you're thoroughly comfortable them. They include warm-ups (the pawanmuktasana series), relaxation postures, standing postures, vajrasana-based postures and others, including surya and chandra namaskara.
I think also the descrptions for each asana are in general better than in LoY. A typical posture has the following: a black and white hand drawn picture, a detailed description of how to enter and exit the pose, then, each with bold headings (to easily pick them out), details on breathing, duration (how long to hold, how many times to do), awareness (where to concentrate), sequence (in relation to other postures), contraindications and benefits. What more could you possibly ask for?
And this is just for asanas. Fully 160 pages are devoted to detailed discussions of a progressive pranayma course, mudras (and how to integrate them into practice), and bandhas. As an added bonus, you even get a section on shatkarma-practices on physical and mental "cleansing". By comparison, Iyengar devotes a measley 37 pages to these subjects, but has nothing on mudras or shatkarma.
I guess the only serious complaint I have about the book is that it lacks the sort of pre-programmed courses that are so helpful in LoY. This is sort of made up for in the sections on "sequence"; however, it seems the writers at the Bihar School of Yoga are still practicing an approach to asana that seems to have gone out of style in the last twenty years or so. This is the notion that every pose should be followed by its "counter-pose." (Please someone correct me on this if I have gotten it wrong!) Erich Schiffmann suggests a quite different approach (pp. 349-50), which I've adopted: e.g. emphasis on standing postures one day, then forward bends, then backbends, then the cycle repeats. Every day should have twists and inversions, and you're never too old for sun salutations. APMB is perfect if you adopt this mode of practice, because the organization of the text is tailored to suit. Yet another point in this fine work's column!
The only other suggestion for improvement I would make is that the section on yogic "subtle" physiology probably should have been moved up toward the front of the book, before the asanas, as part of the general course on yoga terminology. As it stands now, someone reading into the text will see references to visuddhi chakra etc and possibly not know what this means because the terms are not introduced until the end. This is a small complaint though, and I think it would be hard for anyone to go wrong with this book.
July 25, 2015
Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha [APMB] is one of two textbooks used in a yoga teacher training course I recently attened. The other text is BKS Iyengar’s Light on Yoga. Iyengar’s book is one of the most well-known yoga books in the world, and I, therefore, expected that I would prefer Light on Yoga to the much more utilitarian looking APMB—a book that you’re unlikely to find at your local bookseller (unless, like me, you live in India—in which case it is quite popular.) However, having now read both books, I think I would give an edge to APMB. I don’t usually frame a book review in comparative terms, but--in this case--the books are similar in subject matter, and comparison may benefit the many who have the Iyengar book.
Both works are largely collections of detailed descriptions of yogasanas (postures), breathing methods (pranayama), mudra, bandha, and, in the case of APMB, Shatkarma (cleansing practices.) Shatkarma is not well-known in the West, but it is a series of 6 cleansing practices that, along with asana and pranayama, are part of the trio making up Hatha Yoga.
Before proceeding with this comparison, it should be noted that the APMB is associated with the Bihar--or Satyananda--School of yoga. Indian yogis and yoginis will likely be familiar with this school as a form of Hatha Yoga that was founded in 1964 by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Western practitioners are less likely to be familiar with the Bihar school as it has not made the same kind of splash in the West as Bikram Yoga (the most famous “hot yoga” style), Iyengar yoga (which uses props when necessary to achieve proper alignment), Power yoga (a faster and more endurance oriented form of yoga), and many other yoga styles with a hook. (I don’t mean to suggest that Westerners need a gimmick to keep their interest in yoga, but, on a whole, they do.) At any rate, while the Bihar School was founded in 1964, the yoga it presents is classical Hatha Yoga, incorporating some of the knowledge gained from modern understanding of anatomy and physiology.
What I liked best about APMB--and why I liked it better than Iyengar’s book-- is its superior organization. APMB lists not only the alignments and benefits, but systematically spells out the contra-indications in their own bold headed section. Iyengar indicates contra-indications only sparsely and puts them in with the “effects” section which is mostly benefits. This makes contraindications easy to miss in the Iyengar book. APMB also has bold sections for breathing, awareness, and variations. This might make it seem like APMB would be denser, but it’s not—it’s actually more concise. Most of these subsections are short and to the point. Each asana takes between one and two pages (unless there are several variations.) While Iyengar clumps asana together with a logic, APMB delineates different sub-classes of asana (standing, forward bends, backward bends, etc.) with separate chapters.
One thing that surprised me is that I found APMB to be more forthright and scientific in its approach. I’d always heard Iyengar was modern and relatively scientifically oriented. After all, this is the man who introduced props for students who cannot perform asanas without proper alignment otherwise—so as to avoid injuries. Now I know that the Bihar School is also known for integrating present-day research into its understanding of yoga, but I was initially not so familiar with Bihar. So while both texts are better than most about depicting the risks, as indicated, Iyengar gives short shrift to the contra-indications and occasionally suggests an extreme posture for a severe ailment. While I applaud Iyengar’s passion, I think it has made him prone to see yoga as a panacea for all ills and to downplay the risks—at least in the late 1960’s when Light on Yoga was written. (Both books were written in the late 60’s, but—based solely on the front matter—it appears there may have been more revised editions for the APMB.
I should note that neither book uses citations to provide supporting evidence about what is a benefit or a contraindication. Some of these claims may be supported by scientific studies, some may be supported by experience, but some may just be old wives’ tales handed down based on pseudo-scientific or outmoded beliefs.
APMB doesn’t win hands down in all dimensions. Graphics is one area in which Light on Yoga is much more useful than APMB. Iyengar’s book uses photographs, and given Iyengar’s penchant for perfect alignment, his book’s photos are quite informative. APMB has line drawings, but some of the drawings suggest incorrect alignments (e.g. the knee well forward of the toes in an asana for which the shin should be perpendicular to the floor.) This would be a damning criticism if I thought anyone should or could learn yoga from the drawings in a book, but since I think pictures are just there to remind one of the general form of the asana, I don’t deduct too much for this flaw. [On the other hand, Iyengar is so flexible that his photos can be a little demoralizing for a person incapable of touching his or her skull to his or her coccyx.]
Iyengar’s book also has more information. While Light on Yoga has many more asana, each book has a few postures that the other doesn’t, but—for the most part—both of the books hit all the classic asanas of Hatha Yoga. I don’t give a lot of credit for having more asana or variations because both books have more than enough material to keep beginner, intermediate, and advanced students busy.
What I think may be valuable is the fact that Iyengar covers more background material in greater detail than does the APMB. Iyengar writes extensively on yamas and niyamas, and the other legs of Ashtanga Yoga (not to be confused with Ashtanga Vinyasa--a flowing and strenuous set-sequence form of Hatha Yoga from Mysore). Of course, if you are interested in shatkarmas or mudras, you’ll only get that information in the APMB.
Both books are beneficial references for students and teachers alike(not to suggest that teachers shouldn’t remain forever students, but not all students should be /need be teachers.) I’m particularly pleased to review this book as it may be an opportunity to introduce this book to some outside of India who may not be familiar with it. If you practice Hatha Yoga, you should give this book a look.
Both works are largely collections of detailed descriptions of yogasanas (postures), breathing methods (pranayama), mudra, bandha, and, in the case of APMB, Shatkarma (cleansing practices.) Shatkarma is not well-known in the West, but it is a series of 6 cleansing practices that, along with asana and pranayama, are part of the trio making up Hatha Yoga.
Before proceeding with this comparison, it should be noted that the APMB is associated with the Bihar--or Satyananda--School of yoga. Indian yogis and yoginis will likely be familiar with this school as a form of Hatha Yoga that was founded in 1964 by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Western practitioners are less likely to be familiar with the Bihar school as it has not made the same kind of splash in the West as Bikram Yoga (the most famous “hot yoga” style), Iyengar yoga (which uses props when necessary to achieve proper alignment), Power yoga (a faster and more endurance oriented form of yoga), and many other yoga styles with a hook. (I don’t mean to suggest that Westerners need a gimmick to keep their interest in yoga, but, on a whole, they do.) At any rate, while the Bihar School was founded in 1964, the yoga it presents is classical Hatha Yoga, incorporating some of the knowledge gained from modern understanding of anatomy and physiology.
What I liked best about APMB--and why I liked it better than Iyengar’s book-- is its superior organization. APMB lists not only the alignments and benefits, but systematically spells out the contra-indications in their own bold headed section. Iyengar indicates contra-indications only sparsely and puts them in with the “effects” section which is mostly benefits. This makes contraindications easy to miss in the Iyengar book. APMB also has bold sections for breathing, awareness, and variations. This might make it seem like APMB would be denser, but it’s not—it’s actually more concise. Most of these subsections are short and to the point. Each asana takes between one and two pages (unless there are several variations.) While Iyengar clumps asana together with a logic, APMB delineates different sub-classes of asana (standing, forward bends, backward bends, etc.) with separate chapters.
One thing that surprised me is that I found APMB to be more forthright and scientific in its approach. I’d always heard Iyengar was modern and relatively scientifically oriented. After all, this is the man who introduced props for students who cannot perform asanas without proper alignment otherwise—so as to avoid injuries. Now I know that the Bihar School is also known for integrating present-day research into its understanding of yoga, but I was initially not so familiar with Bihar. So while both texts are better than most about depicting the risks, as indicated, Iyengar gives short shrift to the contra-indications and occasionally suggests an extreme posture for a severe ailment. While I applaud Iyengar’s passion, I think it has made him prone to see yoga as a panacea for all ills and to downplay the risks—at least in the late 1960’s when Light on Yoga was written. (Both books were written in the late 60’s, but—based solely on the front matter—it appears there may have been more revised editions for the APMB.
I should note that neither book uses citations to provide supporting evidence about what is a benefit or a contraindication. Some of these claims may be supported by scientific studies, some may be supported by experience, but some may just be old wives’ tales handed down based on pseudo-scientific or outmoded beliefs.
APMB doesn’t win hands down in all dimensions. Graphics is one area in which Light on Yoga is much more useful than APMB. Iyengar’s book uses photographs, and given Iyengar’s penchant for perfect alignment, his book’s photos are quite informative. APMB has line drawings, but some of the drawings suggest incorrect alignments (e.g. the knee well forward of the toes in an asana for which the shin should be perpendicular to the floor.) This would be a damning criticism if I thought anyone should or could learn yoga from the drawings in a book, but since I think pictures are just there to remind one of the general form of the asana, I don’t deduct too much for this flaw. [On the other hand, Iyengar is so flexible that his photos can be a little demoralizing for a person incapable of touching his or her skull to his or her coccyx.]
Iyengar’s book also has more information. While Light on Yoga has many more asana, each book has a few postures that the other doesn’t, but—for the most part—both of the books hit all the classic asanas of Hatha Yoga. I don’t give a lot of credit for having more asana or variations because both books have more than enough material to keep beginner, intermediate, and advanced students busy.
What I think may be valuable is the fact that Iyengar covers more background material in greater detail than does the APMB. Iyengar writes extensively on yamas and niyamas, and the other legs of Ashtanga Yoga (not to be confused with Ashtanga Vinyasa--a flowing and strenuous set-sequence form of Hatha Yoga from Mysore). Of course, if you are interested in shatkarmas or mudras, you’ll only get that information in the APMB.
Both books are beneficial references for students and teachers alike(not to suggest that teachers shouldn’t remain forever students, but not all students should be /need be teachers.) I’m particularly pleased to review this book as it may be an opportunity to introduce this book to some outside of India who may not be familiar with it. If you practice Hatha Yoga, you should give this book a look.
July 28, 2010
Throughout the past eighteen months I have discovered, in this book, a wonderful aide and reliable companion to my daily practice of Yoga. Published by The Bihar School of Yoga since 1969, the versatile format of Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha should appeal to a beginner, intermediate or an advanced student of Yoga. Comprehensive yet clear, step-by-step and illustrated directions on the way in which each of the exercises should be performed enable the reader to pursue Yoga practice both safely and mindfully. As the title suggests, four main aspects of Yoga are covered within. The ‘Asana’ chapter which covers the Yoga stretches and postures has three sub-headings which help the student to select, attempt and perfect the physical exercises of Yoga according to their own ability. The following chapters cover ‘Pranayama’ - the expansion and control of breath, ‘Bandha’ – the control and focused contraction of the flow of spiritual energy, ‘Mudra’ – physical gestures used to promote and stimulate the flow of psychic energy and also ‘Shatkarma’ - techniques which can be used to physically cleanse and purify the body. Subsequent to these chapters is an introduction to the psychic physiology of Yoga, which outlines and briefly discusses the importance of Prana and Chakra awareness. This Yoga manual then concludes with a therapeutic index and an index of practices.
What I find most appealing about this book is that the author, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, advocates and passionately believes in the pursuit of holistic health and spiritual wellbeing. Furthermore, unlike other publications I have browsed through which guide the student through the practices of Yoga with lavish and glossy photo-illustrations, this manual uses written expositions of each of the exercises in combination with clear and simple line drawings. I personally recommend this book to any individual wishing to explore how the practices of Yoga can profoundly invigorate, integrate and harmonise ones mental, psychological and physical self.
“If the head, the heart and the hands do not function in harmony, there is restlessness in life. This restlessness may be on the mental, emotional, physical or spiritual level. Though its manifestation is legion, it always results in the shattering of inner peace. Yoga practices developed by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati and the Bihar School of Yoga aim to harmonise all levels of human life and experience through practical means.”
What I find most appealing about this book is that the author, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, advocates and passionately believes in the pursuit of holistic health and spiritual wellbeing. Furthermore, unlike other publications I have browsed through which guide the student through the practices of Yoga with lavish and glossy photo-illustrations, this manual uses written expositions of each of the exercises in combination with clear and simple line drawings. I personally recommend this book to any individual wishing to explore how the practices of Yoga can profoundly invigorate, integrate and harmonise ones mental, psychological and physical self.
“If the head, the heart and the hands do not function in harmony, there is restlessness in life. This restlessness may be on the mental, emotional, physical or spiritual level. Though its manifestation is legion, it always results in the shattering of inner peace. Yoga practices developed by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati and the Bihar School of Yoga aim to harmonise all levels of human life and experience through practical means.”
May 22, 2018
Wonderful book for anyone hoping to create a home yoga practice. Seriously, good for absolute beginners but even people who have been taking yoga lessons for several years will be pleasantly surprised how much they can learn from this book originally written in the 1960s.
The first few chapters are a short introduction, then an easy sequence of yoga designed to keep the joints loose. Anyone, everyone can enjoy the first sequence. I was able to do the whole thing the first day I picked up the book, even with my twisted ankle, lol. The second sequence is for digestion. It is a little more challenging than the first sequence. I felt a little sore after the first time I did it, but what the heck, I would like a healthy digestion. The 3rd sequence is energy enhancing. So far I haven't been able to get all the way through it. Every day since I bought the book I do as much as I can.
After the warm up sequences are in-depth instructions on asana, pranayama, mudra and bandha just like the title promises. It is clearly written, an instructive manual. There are helpful line drawings of each asana, mudra etc, which is less intimidating than a photo of a person. In the back of the book is a very informative glossary. There are many poses and mudra in this book that do not show up in modern yoga studios (although you can sometimes learn them at an expensive workshop or teacher training.) This is a comprehensive text.
Compared to "Light on Yoga" I found the sequences easier to stick to (Light on Yoga introduced headstands and inversions before I was ready for them.) Compared to "Yoga Mala" this is more of a straight "how-to" text. The yoga in this book is systematically explained. Once you understand what you are doing you can use yoga to relax, to focus, to stimulate - - whatever you want - instead of having a haphazard yoga practice.
The first few chapters are a short introduction, then an easy sequence of yoga designed to keep the joints loose. Anyone, everyone can enjoy the first sequence. I was able to do the whole thing the first day I picked up the book, even with my twisted ankle, lol. The second sequence is for digestion. It is a little more challenging than the first sequence. I felt a little sore after the first time I did it, but what the heck, I would like a healthy digestion. The 3rd sequence is energy enhancing. So far I haven't been able to get all the way through it. Every day since I bought the book I do as much as I can.
After the warm up sequences are in-depth instructions on asana, pranayama, mudra and bandha just like the title promises. It is clearly written, an instructive manual. There are helpful line drawings of each asana, mudra etc, which is less intimidating than a photo of a person. In the back of the book is a very informative glossary. There are many poses and mudra in this book that do not show up in modern yoga studios (although you can sometimes learn them at an expensive workshop or teacher training.) This is a comprehensive text.
Compared to "Light on Yoga" I found the sequences easier to stick to (Light on Yoga introduced headstands and inversions before I was ready for them.) Compared to "Yoga Mala" this is more of a straight "how-to" text. The yoga in this book is systematically explained. Once you understand what you are doing you can use yoga to relax, to focus, to stimulate - - whatever you want - instead of having a haphazard yoga practice.
May 8, 2018
"The room was filled with
Hundreds of devotees
When Chow Ling asked:
Why are you worshipping the teapot
Instead of drinking the tea?”
~ Wu Hsin
This manual will absolutely help you start drinking the tea.
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Hundreds of devotees
When Chow Ling asked:
Why are you worshipping the teapot
Instead of drinking the tea?”
~ Wu Hsin
This manual will absolutely help you start drinking the tea.
ॐ नमः शिवाय
February 16, 2010
This was one of the books used when I was studying to become certified in hatha yoga. Wonderful! It surely was hard to get a hold of. This is a great reference for any yoga teacher. Each pose explains how to do it, and has a drawing and explains the benefits of each pose.
March 27, 2013
It took me a long time to work through this book, and I will keep it by my mat as a reference. Most detailed, balanced guide to traditional yoga practice (asana, pranayama, mudra, Banda and the yogic philosophy) that I've read.
November 10, 2014
Such a great resource! There is at least one full page of description and background on each asana/pranayama/mudra/bandha. It also describes all 6 shatkarmas, which I would probably not do with the guidance of a book, but very interesting to read about.
February 22, 2010
I had no idea a yoga manual could be this helpful. Of course, you should have some yoga background, but both the explanations and pictures are remarkably clear.
November 7, 2011
You cannot live without this book if you are seriously into your yoga - its never far away from me and is used for reference constantly! every yoga teacher I know has this in their bag!
April 28, 2024
Must read for Yoga Teachers for assistance with alignment, posture benefits, and sequencing! Essential.
October 12, 2012
Alternative Course Manual for yoga teachers training. Basic and handy book for a beginner in yoga
February 20, 2016
A reference book that beats all other.
May 14, 2014
Ultimate book on yoga . Very nicely described in a very simple way. I feel its a more authenticated by a Master like Sw Satyananda.
April 15, 2015
Terrific book for those interested in Yoga asanas and its philosophy. very helpful for layman too.
February 27, 2023
Excellent book for anyone practicing yoga asanas, pranayama, and Mudra’s. While no one book alone can answer all questions regarding this vast science, and further reading is required specially for Mudra’s, its an excellent starting point nonetheless.
November 1, 2025
Almost like a teachers manual. Incredibly helpful for learning the purpose of each asana as well as providing in depth explanations of the body (and gaze) positioning for each one. I anticipate it to be very helpful for sequencing and I’m sure I’ll refer back to this book one thousand times throughout my life.
February 7, 2022
Awesome and straight forward learning material
August 15, 2016
Asana, Pranayam, Mudra, Bandha by Satyananda Saraswati, is one of the best books on Hatha Yoga.The author is a pioneer yogi in the tradition of Bihar School of Yoga(BSY). This book is an excellent handbook for any beginner interested in yoga or for any yoga practitioner since it consists of well written guidelines on a wide variety of yogic practices, including the description of the technique, do's and don'ts, the benefits and contra indications.The book comprises of yogic practices for 3 levels- beginners, intermediate and advanced levels.Although yoga must always be carried under the guidance of a good, well qualfied teacher, this book is an excellent accompaniment to understanding the basics and the subtleties of the beautiful, effective and complex science that hatha yoga or yoga in general is.I highly recommend this book as a classic on the basics of hatha yogic practices.
March 30, 2015
Well that was good! Informative and yet easy to read. Really enjoyed it, tho flinched a little when I got to the anal cleansing part - " gently insert the root of a raw turmeric plant into the anus"....
July 28, 2014
I did three days of silence and read this doing a lot of the asana as well.
Great reference book - easy explanations so much info.
Great reference book - easy explanations so much info.
January 23, 2016
A textbook of asanas...lucidly explained.
October 26, 2016
Very good book, with a lot.of explanations about the practice and philosophy of yoga.
March 4, 2018
Excellent book to learn Asanana. Explained in simple language with illustrations
July 25, 2018
Simple and easy to read and understand. It helped me immensely with my Yoga Teachers Training Course. Highly recommend it to those who are just starting to explore Yoga.
June 8, 2024
Book of the Day – Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha
Today’s Book of the Day is ASANA PRANAYAMA MUDRA BANDHA, written by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in 1969 and published by Bihar School of Yoga.
Swami Satyananda Saraswati is a renowned yoga teacher and founder of the Bihar School of Yoga.
I have chosen this book because I often use it as a reference when talking about specific asanas of Hatha Yoga.
The book’s reputation precedes it, and for good reason. For those seeking a comprehensive guide to the multifaceted world of yoga, it stands as a landmark.
This book transcends a mere collection of postures, going deep into the very essence of yogic practice, offering valuable insights from the four pillars of hatha yoga: Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (breath control), Mudra (hand and finger gestures), and Bandha (psychic locks).
Swami Satyananda Saraswati presents a systematic and accessible exploration of each practice. Extremely detailed and comprehensible instructions for asanas are accompanied by clear illustrations, thus ensuring proper alignment for the practitioners and maximising each pose’s benefits.
The book also delves into the subtle energetic aspects of yoga, guiding practitioners to cultivate awareness of the breath and its connection to movement.
Beyond the pure physical practice, Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha illuminates the world of pranayama. The master meticulously explains various breathing techniques, from the foundational Ujjayi breath to more advanced practices like Kapalbhati and Bhastrika. He elucidates the impact of pranayama on the nervous system, energy flow, and mental state, empowering practitioners to tailor their breathing practices for specific goals.
The book is also extremely rich in its analysis of the intricate world of mudras and bandhas. Mudras, with their symbolic hand and finger positions, are presented as tools to channel energy and cultivate specific mental states. The Bandhas, or psychic locks, are explored as a means to direct our prana (life force) and awaken dormant energy within the body. Swami Satyananda Saraswati provides clear instructions and cautions for each mudra and bandha, ensuring safe and effective practice.
For these reasons this book is way more than just a technique manual; it is a real philosophical guide to Yoga. The book also describes the yogic concept of chakras, subtle energy centres in the body, and their connection to the various practices.
It also touches upon the importance of yogic diet and lifestyle for a holistic approach to well-being.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its adaptability. Structured for beginners, intermediates, and advanced practitioners alike, it offers modifications for various asanas and breathing techniques. This ensures a safe and progressive practice regardless of an individual’s experience level.
Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha also includes a dedicated section on therapeutic applications of yoga, providing guidance on using yogic practices to address specific health concerns.
I find this book to be an effective invitation to embark on a transformative journey. Through its systematic approach and emphasis on safety and awareness, the author empowers practitioners to tailor their practice to their individual needs and goals. Whether seeking improved physical flexibility, stress reduction, or a deeper connection with oneself, this book provides the tools and knowledge to navigate the vast landscape of yoga.
Of course, the book is not without its challenges. The sheer volume of information can be overwhelming for absolute beginners. Those entirely new to yoga might benefit from supplementing this book with introductory classes from a qualified teacher to grasp the fundamentals before diving into the intricacies of the text.
In conclusion, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a profound understanding and practice of hatha yoga. Swami Satyananda Saraswati’s clear explanations, combined with the book’s comprehensive approach, make it a cornerstone for beginners and a trusted companion for experienced practitioners.
While some may crave a broader stylistic exploration of yoga, the book’s depth within the Bihar School tradition and its emphasis on safety and personalized practice solidify its place as a classic in the world of yoga literature.
Today’s Book of the Day is ASANA PRANAYAMA MUDRA BANDHA, written by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in 1969 and published by Bihar School of Yoga.
Swami Satyananda Saraswati is a renowned yoga teacher and founder of the Bihar School of Yoga.
I have chosen this book because I often use it as a reference when talking about specific asanas of Hatha Yoga.
The book’s reputation precedes it, and for good reason. For those seeking a comprehensive guide to the multifaceted world of yoga, it stands as a landmark.
This book transcends a mere collection of postures, going deep into the very essence of yogic practice, offering valuable insights from the four pillars of hatha yoga: Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (breath control), Mudra (hand and finger gestures), and Bandha (psychic locks).
Swami Satyananda Saraswati presents a systematic and accessible exploration of each practice. Extremely detailed and comprehensible instructions for asanas are accompanied by clear illustrations, thus ensuring proper alignment for the practitioners and maximising each pose’s benefits.
The book also delves into the subtle energetic aspects of yoga, guiding practitioners to cultivate awareness of the breath and its connection to movement.
Beyond the pure physical practice, Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha illuminates the world of pranayama. The master meticulously explains various breathing techniques, from the foundational Ujjayi breath to more advanced practices like Kapalbhati and Bhastrika. He elucidates the impact of pranayama on the nervous system, energy flow, and mental state, empowering practitioners to tailor their breathing practices for specific goals.
The book is also extremely rich in its analysis of the intricate world of mudras and bandhas. Mudras, with their symbolic hand and finger positions, are presented as tools to channel energy and cultivate specific mental states. The Bandhas, or psychic locks, are explored as a means to direct our prana (life force) and awaken dormant energy within the body. Swami Satyananda Saraswati provides clear instructions and cautions for each mudra and bandha, ensuring safe and effective practice.
For these reasons this book is way more than just a technique manual; it is a real philosophical guide to Yoga. The book also describes the yogic concept of chakras, subtle energy centres in the body, and their connection to the various practices.
It also touches upon the importance of yogic diet and lifestyle for a holistic approach to well-being.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its adaptability. Structured for beginners, intermediates, and advanced practitioners alike, it offers modifications for various asanas and breathing techniques. This ensures a safe and progressive practice regardless of an individual’s experience level.
Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha also includes a dedicated section on therapeutic applications of yoga, providing guidance on using yogic practices to address specific health concerns.
I find this book to be an effective invitation to embark on a transformative journey. Through its systematic approach and emphasis on safety and awareness, the author empowers practitioners to tailor their practice to their individual needs and goals. Whether seeking improved physical flexibility, stress reduction, or a deeper connection with oneself, this book provides the tools and knowledge to navigate the vast landscape of yoga.
Of course, the book is not without its challenges. The sheer volume of information can be overwhelming for absolute beginners. Those entirely new to yoga might benefit from supplementing this book with introductory classes from a qualified teacher to grasp the fundamentals before diving into the intricacies of the text.
In conclusion, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a profound understanding and practice of hatha yoga. Swami Satyananda Saraswati’s clear explanations, combined with the book’s comprehensive approach, make it a cornerstone for beginners and a trusted companion for experienced practitioners.
While some may crave a broader stylistic exploration of yoga, the book’s depth within the Bihar School tradition and its emphasis on safety and personalized practice solidify its place as a classic in the world of yoga literature.
October 22, 2025
As a powerful Vinyasa Yoga Teachers Teacher, I can honestly say there are so many people that will never do a handstand. When I first got this book at 29 years old, I couldn't do the pose on the cover, at that time I had no idea what I was doing. I told myself that is why it was a drawing because no one could do it. LOL.
Lo and behold, this posture isn't as hard as it seemed at the time. If you need help with life, your mind, body, pain, stiffness and vinyasa yoga, and hot yoga don't work or appeal to you. Give this genius school of yoga a shot.
All of this authors books I keep on hand, literally on my desk. The author is one of the greatest humans of all time. So he would be a ghoat lol.. He's brilliant and I have been studying his manuals since 2001 when a Swami came to Arizona and gave my yoga teacher studio owners the books. They wanted nothing to do with them, and I was so fortunate to receive them. These books, and my yoga teacher training certificate were the greatest gifts of my adult life. They helped me to love myself enough to be of service to others. Highly recommend everything from him.
Lo and behold, this posture isn't as hard as it seemed at the time. If you need help with life, your mind, body, pain, stiffness and vinyasa yoga, and hot yoga don't work or appeal to you. Give this genius school of yoga a shot.
All of this authors books I keep on hand, literally on my desk. The author is one of the greatest humans of all time. So he would be a ghoat lol.. He's brilliant and I have been studying his manuals since 2001 when a Swami came to Arizona and gave my yoga teacher studio owners the books. They wanted nothing to do with them, and I was so fortunate to receive them. These books, and my yoga teacher training certificate were the greatest gifts of my adult life. They helped me to love myself enough to be of service to others. Highly recommend everything from him.
May 31, 2022
For every yoga teacher that plans to use and teach Hatha yoga this book is the bible. The illustration simple straight forward setup and the chaptering of the Asanas is a great journey that helps you find out how to build your yoga class. I found out that when I had gone out of the yoga seen for to long this book is the best way to summarise what you have learn in the 200 RYS ore more advanced programme. It does so in a fast and easy manner. It is the best investment i have done and a true must have for those who are doing there own solo yoga. It was recommended to me by my yoga instructors in India and is a very Indian way and introduction to the yoga Hatha practice.
October 26, 2020
Иогийн сургалтын дараа уншаарай гэж багшийн хэлсэн номнуудын бас нэг нь. Энэ ном ер нь нилээд алдартай юм шиг байсан. Иог дотроо нилээд олон төрөлтэй. Гэхдээ хатха иог бараг хамгийн өргөн тархсан төрлүүдийн нэг. Энэ номонд анхан шатнаас эхлээд ахисан шат хүртэлх иогийн байрлалууд, амьсгалын дасгалууд, цэвэрлэгээний аргууд, энерги гээд бүхий л хэрэгтэй зүйлсийг цогцоор нь багтаасан. Иог сонирхдог хүнд бол маш хэрэгтэй. Гэхдээ зарим зүйлсийг нь шууд хийж болохгүй заавал багшийн удирдлаган дор хийх хэрэгтэй юм байна лээ. Иог сонирхдог бол заавал уншаарай гэж хэлмээр байна.
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January 3, 2021As always, unless you know you are super into it or have read books by Swamis before, I don't recommend this book. I have many in this series and this one sat on my shelf for years because of the heavy focus on asana. I don't think I could have enjoyed half as much, or potentially at all if I didn't do a training with this as a text and actually did the practices within. The traditional poses are fascinating.
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