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Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness
Discover the path to inner peace with this guidebook that combines hatha yoga and meditation strategies from world-renowned yoga master Erich Shiffmann.
World-renowned yoga master Erich Schiffmann offers an easy-to-follow, exciting new techniques—the first to combine hatha yoga and meditation—to all who are seeking healthful beauty and inner peace.
World-renowned yoga master Erich Schiffmann offers an easy-to-follow, exciting new techniques—the first to combine hatha yoga and meditation—to all who are seeking healthful beauty and inner peace.
357 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1996
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August 7, 2020
“The practice, remember, is to merge and participate and be fully involved with what you are doing. Therefore, breathe with feeling and stretch with sensitivity. Immerse yourself in the pose. Be here now in the pose. It will teach you if you listen, feel and are attentive.”
This will sound a little weird, but this book is great, after page 40 and before page 300. I’ll begin by explaining what I liked about it and why parts of it were not so great.
First off, the chapter “Playing the Edge” is a crucial section about exploring your body’s limits while practicing yoga, that very few books on the topic bother to address. People injure themselves a lot by pushing themselves too hard too soon, because we are used to workouts that leave us sore, but that’s not how yoga works, and it is very important, especially when one just starts out, to slowly explore one’s limits in order to be able to push them back as one progresses.
Also, rarely have I read such thorough step by step instructions on the basic yoga asanas: Schiffman breaks them down in such details that any person anxious to try yoga at home without a teacher’s guidance can feel perfectly safe picking up this book and following the instructions. He takes almost 8 pages on two variations of Mountain pose (Tadasana) alone, and that’s the most simple standing pose! I learned a lot of interesting things that helped me with modifications for when my bum knee starts acting up, and gave me ideas on how to make my transitions between asanas smoother and safer.
While the instructions on how to get into each asana, and evolve the pose from beginner to more advance are technically great, there is something in Schiffmann’s prose that aggravated me: he has the overly verbose style that can make anyone sound lofty and enlightened, but can also really lacks clarity, and this saccharine tone makes the text feel very dated and ponderous to read, even if it was published in the 90s.
I also can’t help but be bothered that he completely fails to mention that the meditation and introspection work such as what he describes in the first and final sections of the book requires the guidance of a good teacher who will not let a student fall into spiritual materialism. Describing the process of self-improvement through asana yoga without ever mentioning that it’s neither an easy or an overnight process just feels wrong to me, because it gives people the false impression that if they pick up the practice are aren’t magically transformed into an uber-spiritual and content person in a matter of weeks they are doing something wrong (he uses “you will” a lot, which makes it sound like the results of his recommended exercises are infallible, as in “The practice will make you happy”…). The Yoga Sutras, which are essentially the ethical guidelines to the practice, are never even mentioned, which also feels a little odd. Sure, he explains that the physical aspect is just one side of the practice, and that meditation is crucial, but what ties those two types of practices together isn’t explained or referenced.
So while I think that the middle part of this book is great, it is bookended by sections that left me both puzzled an uneasy. There are better yoga books out there.
This will sound a little weird, but this book is great, after page 40 and before page 300. I’ll begin by explaining what I liked about it and why parts of it were not so great.
First off, the chapter “Playing the Edge” is a crucial section about exploring your body’s limits while practicing yoga, that very few books on the topic bother to address. People injure themselves a lot by pushing themselves too hard too soon, because we are used to workouts that leave us sore, but that’s not how yoga works, and it is very important, especially when one just starts out, to slowly explore one’s limits in order to be able to push them back as one progresses.
Also, rarely have I read such thorough step by step instructions on the basic yoga asanas: Schiffman breaks them down in such details that any person anxious to try yoga at home without a teacher’s guidance can feel perfectly safe picking up this book and following the instructions. He takes almost 8 pages on two variations of Mountain pose (Tadasana) alone, and that’s the most simple standing pose! I learned a lot of interesting things that helped me with modifications for when my bum knee starts acting up, and gave me ideas on how to make my transitions between asanas smoother and safer.
While the instructions on how to get into each asana, and evolve the pose from beginner to more advance are technically great, there is something in Schiffmann’s prose that aggravated me: he has the overly verbose style that can make anyone sound lofty and enlightened, but can also really lacks clarity, and this saccharine tone makes the text feel very dated and ponderous to read, even if it was published in the 90s.
I also can’t help but be bothered that he completely fails to mention that the meditation and introspection work such as what he describes in the first and final sections of the book requires the guidance of a good teacher who will not let a student fall into spiritual materialism. Describing the process of self-improvement through asana yoga without ever mentioning that it’s neither an easy or an overnight process just feels wrong to me, because it gives people the false impression that if they pick up the practice are aren’t magically transformed into an uber-spiritual and content person in a matter of weeks they are doing something wrong (he uses “you will” a lot, which makes it sound like the results of his recommended exercises are infallible, as in “The practice will make you happy”…). The Yoga Sutras, which are essentially the ethical guidelines to the practice, are never even mentioned, which also feels a little odd. Sure, he explains that the physical aspect is just one side of the practice, and that meditation is crucial, but what ties those two types of practices together isn’t explained or referenced.
So while I think that the middle part of this book is great, it is bookended by sections that left me both puzzled an uneasy. There are better yoga books out there.
February 18, 2009
This is absolutely my favorite yoga book. It's beautifully written and immediately gets to the heart of what practicing yoga is about in easy to understand terms (without all the fluffy new agey stuff). The photogragphs and explanations of the asanas are clear and easy to understand. Get it, read it, love it. I reference it constantly for my own practice as well as for teaching.
December 9, 2007
Although I learned more from Schiffmann's DVD with Ali MacGraw which I practiced with for the longest time during the long Vermont winters several years ago, I also bought this book which was very helpful, because the explanations and reasons behind the poses was described in great detail. My favorite yoga book is one that I no longer have, nor do I know the title. I bought it in a used book store in a remote town halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. It's from that book that I learned about pranayama breathing, something which I still do to this day, twenty five years later. I even do it while I'm driving.
August 29, 2011
this book has been on my "currently-reading" shelf since i first joined goodreads. i thought of creating a "currently and forever reading" shelf, but i chose to move it to "read" with a disclaimer...this book will always be at the top of the stack of books at my bedside. just as there is no end to our practice, there is no end to reading this book.
July 19, 2008
This is by far my all-time best yoga book. There could be no better yoga teacher that Erich. Mind, body, spirit, breathing, energy - he addresses all aspects. When you are ready the (yoga) teacher will appear. Namaste.
February 5, 2014
This book got a "2" because it wasn't for me. However, I did enjoy the read.
The most important thing in this book, to me, is Chapter 9 on asanas. The instructions are fantastic. The levels of difficulty are available, and the benefits are stated. I learned that the most stable sitting position for meditation is lotus because it makes it easy to sit straight.
The most annoying thing, to me, about this book was the author’s use of second person. ”You will come alive,” ”You will sense the creative movement,” “You will feel moved to move.” I have a legal background and “you” is absolutely unacceptable. So this was annoying to me personally. However, I do believe it is good for the purposes of this book. I almost feel the whole book could be a guided meditation script.
You know what else about this book? It felt to me like a recipe book for yoga practice. ”You add some meditation,” “You follow this guide for meditation,” “You follow these steps for asanas.” Yes, reading this book on yoga was like reading Southern Living’s cookbook. They both have very thorough instructions that bring forth great results. Schiffmann, to me, is like a Barefoot Contessa of yoga.
Another great chapter was Chapter 6, The Wind Through the Instrument. It contained obvious but important breathing techniques, for example: ”Opening movements such as back bends and lifting arms are done on inhale. Folding or closing movements such as forward bends and lowering arms are done on exhale.” Chapter 10, Meditation, reflected this: ”Pull in life with each inhalation, and release every sense of strain and fear with each exhalation.”
The quote that helped me grow as a person most was found in Chapter 1, Stillness: “If you feel guilty, ashamed, embarrassed, or confused about who you are, if you feel judged, you will invariably have difficulty giving and receiving love. It will not feel natural to you to express love easily. And when you are not giving or receiving love, when the energy of love is not circulating or passing through you easily, you gradually become bitter, you lose your natural sweetness.” This had a great follow through in Chapter 2, The Core of Goodness: ”You will also realize that it is not egocentric to be appreciative of the creative energy that you are. Nor is it arrogant, presumptuous, or conceited to feel good inside about yourself, or to be happy for no apparent reason, or to acknowledge that you are a perfect creation of [God].”
Another quote that helped me grow as a person was found in Chapter 6, The Wind Through the Instrument: ”The quality of your yoga, and of your life, depends solely on how interested you are in the doing of it. Interest unleashes the energy of passion, and passion expresses itself as quality.”
Reflection? I really don’t have much of a reflection…Not much in this book really ruffled my feathers. I understand that asking for guidance is a required skill; I understand asking for guidance uses my memory faculty; I understand that I need to remember to be present; I understand that I need to be patient; I understand that I need to seek clarity. Ah! And then “Know You Do Not Know” arises! I am happy to add this rhetoric to my life, spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually: “Unless you are clear about the limitations of what you know, you will continue to think you can answer your own questions and solve your own problems. And in your efforts to solve them with insufficient data, you will effectively deafen your ears to the inner voice.”
Also, during the period I read this book, I became aware of an emotional lacking in my life. I’m not trusting enough. So it was good to read: “It takes courage to let go of what we know, even though we know it’s partial, and begin trusting something that we do not yet know is fully trustworthy.” (Regarding “Know You Do Not Know.”) Further: ”Knowing you do not know satisfies the part of your mind [or heart] that wants to know and be certain.”
Wow, I love reflection time because it forces me to think about what I have read. I was worried I wouldn’t have much to reflect on because I was not as enchanted with Schiffmann as I was totally consumed by Gannon and Life. But I feel I have learned, I have an arsenal of information on meditation and asanas. I have picked out what is important to me. That is enough.
The most important thing in this book, to me, is Chapter 9 on asanas. The instructions are fantastic. The levels of difficulty are available, and the benefits are stated. I learned that the most stable sitting position for meditation is lotus because it makes it easy to sit straight.
The most annoying thing, to me, about this book was the author’s use of second person. ”You will come alive,” ”You will sense the creative movement,” “You will feel moved to move.” I have a legal background and “you” is absolutely unacceptable. So this was annoying to me personally. However, I do believe it is good for the purposes of this book. I almost feel the whole book could be a guided meditation script.
You know what else about this book? It felt to me like a recipe book for yoga practice. ”You add some meditation,” “You follow this guide for meditation,” “You follow these steps for asanas.” Yes, reading this book on yoga was like reading Southern Living’s cookbook. They both have very thorough instructions that bring forth great results. Schiffmann, to me, is like a Barefoot Contessa of yoga.
Another great chapter was Chapter 6, The Wind Through the Instrument. It contained obvious but important breathing techniques, for example: ”Opening movements such as back bends and lifting arms are done on inhale. Folding or closing movements such as forward bends and lowering arms are done on exhale.” Chapter 10, Meditation, reflected this: ”Pull in life with each inhalation, and release every sense of strain and fear with each exhalation.”
The quote that helped me grow as a person most was found in Chapter 1, Stillness: “If you feel guilty, ashamed, embarrassed, or confused about who you are, if you feel judged, you will invariably have difficulty giving and receiving love. It will not feel natural to you to express love easily. And when you are not giving or receiving love, when the energy of love is not circulating or passing through you easily, you gradually become bitter, you lose your natural sweetness.” This had a great follow through in Chapter 2, The Core of Goodness: ”You will also realize that it is not egocentric to be appreciative of the creative energy that you are. Nor is it arrogant, presumptuous, or conceited to feel good inside about yourself, or to be happy for no apparent reason, or to acknowledge that you are a perfect creation of [God].”
Another quote that helped me grow as a person was found in Chapter 6, The Wind Through the Instrument: ”The quality of your yoga, and of your life, depends solely on how interested you are in the doing of it. Interest unleashes the energy of passion, and passion expresses itself as quality.”
Reflection? I really don’t have much of a reflection…Not much in this book really ruffled my feathers. I understand that asking for guidance is a required skill; I understand asking for guidance uses my memory faculty; I understand that I need to remember to be present; I understand that I need to be patient; I understand that I need to seek clarity. Ah! And then “Know You Do Not Know” arises! I am happy to add this rhetoric to my life, spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually: “Unless you are clear about the limitations of what you know, you will continue to think you can answer your own questions and solve your own problems. And in your efforts to solve them with insufficient data, you will effectively deafen your ears to the inner voice.”
Also, during the period I read this book, I became aware of an emotional lacking in my life. I’m not trusting enough. So it was good to read: “It takes courage to let go of what we know, even though we know it’s partial, and begin trusting something that we do not yet know is fully trustworthy.” (Regarding “Know You Do Not Know.”) Further: ”Knowing you do not know satisfies the part of your mind [or heart] that wants to know and be certain.”
Wow, I love reflection time because it forces me to think about what I have read. I was worried I wouldn’t have much to reflect on because I was not as enchanted with Schiffmann as I was totally consumed by Gannon and Life. But I feel I have learned, I have an arsenal of information on meditation and asanas. I have picked out what is important to me. That is enough.
May 4, 2020
This book is one of several books that, in my opinion, deftly describes the practice of yoga in a way that doesn't lose readers to woo-woo explanations. There is already so much foreignness to the way yoga is explained, especially coming from a Greco-Roman understanding of reality -- and especially in the (imo) perplexing way asanas are often cued -- that it helps to have someone explain, from the very beginning, why we're even doing yoga in the first place, and what exactly does any of it have to do with self-growth, spiritual practice, and a reality of an Infinite Oneness of Being. And it explains all this in a very personable manner that is easy to relate to, even if I begged to differ on occasion.
If you'd guessed that I'm a beginner in my yoga practice, you would be correct. I did, however, recently finish a rigorous 200-hr YTT, only to feel like I've finally made it to square one. So I consider the knowledge and voice of this book to be a continuation of where the training left off, providing some meat to the bare bones of a new personal practice.
If you'd guessed that I'm a beginner in my yoga practice, you would be correct. I did, however, recently finish a rigorous 200-hr YTT, only to feel like I've finally made it to square one. So I consider the knowledge and voice of this book to be a continuation of where the training left off, providing some meat to the bare bones of a new personal practice.
June 26, 2018
I love the subtitle of his heavy-duty trade paperback, "the spirit and the practice of Moving into Stillness". Such a poetic way to describe yoga and meditation. Erich Schiffmann is an American yoga expert who has studied with some of the more influential yoga masters in the world. Schiffmann covers all the basic asanas with black and white photos and descriptions of each pose from beginner to master level. Most of the poses are illustrated with photos of himself but a few are illustrated with photographs of women who are perhaps better at the pose than him or his token attempt to appeal to what is probably a leargely female readership. I must admit that I found photos of asanas performed by a middle age male a bit off-putting at first. He's not young or thin but, leaping lizards, is he flexible! The main reason I gave this book only two stars is that it could really use a good editor. Schiffmann has a lot of interesting things to say but they get lost in the mounds of verbiage. he provides twenty-eight steps to "shavasana" for heaven's sake! (Shavasana is also known as the corpse pose when lying flat on your back in complete relaxation at the conclusion of a yoga practice.) His instructions for that and so much else are way over the top. He also has some intriguing things to say about meditation too if one can just wade through the masses of words.
April 10, 2018
Overall, I enjoyed this, there were some concepts that really resonated with me - that we are all conditions by others' views of us, which makes us defensive, for one - and I enjoyed Schiffmann's personal history a lot. However, the manner in which he presents his material is a little offputting. There is a lot of repetition, just with different types of really atmospheric, evocative language, but it feels empty. He is saying far more than he needs to say in order to convey his point, I believe. It may be that his experience of meditation, asana, etc. simply doesn't resonate with me, so I wouldn't steer you away from his book. His descriptions of moving into the poses seems to be technically precise, but has not given me some flash of insight to get into a new and exciting pose.
April 26, 2014
This book has so much good stuff to say about meditation and energy and the asanas and I was totally in it and getting a ton out of it and the the last few section he just said "gods will" one too many times. Maybe semantics. Still I don't think the last quarter worked for me the way the rest did. Also, I really hate in books on
Mediation when the advice is "let your thoughts pass like balloons. clear your mind. Think about nothing". Yeah. Um, ok. That's why I'm reading this book! Clearly that is really really really reeeeeeeeelly hard to do! The author does acknowledge this at one point, but it feels like an afterthought.
Mediation when the advice is "let your thoughts pass like balloons. clear your mind. Think about nothing". Yeah. Um, ok. That's why I'm reading this book! Clearly that is really really really reeeeeeeeelly hard to do! The author does acknowledge this at one point, but it feels like an afterthought.
November 20, 2016
I currently have many yoga teachers and am trying to find the path that I would like to teach.
I have a very long way to go, but I have read enough to know how this book deserves at least 4*s. This book contains easy-to-follow variations to the most common asanas that you will encounter.
This was recommended by my teacher who takes a Kripalu-like approach, that I (perhaps naively) contrast with my teacher who has an Iyengar-like approach. The book deserves respect for its humble and wholesome approach to yoga. For now I think I need to read the eastern texts for yoga first, and then Iyengar, and then this completely, to then finally know what it is that my practice will become.
I have a very long way to go, but I have read enough to know how this book deserves at least 4*s. This book contains easy-to-follow variations to the most common asanas that you will encounter.
This was recommended by my teacher who takes a Kripalu-like approach, that I (perhaps naively) contrast with my teacher who has an Iyengar-like approach. The book deserves respect for its humble and wholesome approach to yoga. For now I think I need to read the eastern texts for yoga first, and then Iyengar, and then this completely, to then finally know what it is that my practice will become.
June 6, 2017
Excellent explanation of various yoga poses and meditation techniques that can be incorporated into your life, so that you can "live" yoga, every moment of every day.
Quote from book:
"...one of the most rewarding side effects of yoga practice and meditation is the renewed zest of life you will experience.... When you go within and expand beyond your usual sense of self - ...Then you realize there is no such thing as practice! Never was. There is only the real thing, ever - and always."
Quote from book:
"...one of the most rewarding side effects of yoga practice and meditation is the renewed zest of life you will experience.... When you go within and expand beyond your usual sense of self - ...Then you realize there is no such thing as practice! Never was. There is only the real thing, ever - and always."
May 27, 2020
beautiful teaching at the first half. Detailed asanas second half. Will reread the first half again.
January 21, 2024
Not a fan of the vast majority of Western marketplace ‘yoga’ literature and teachers. Schiffmann has, however, been teaching from before it was ‘cool’ and for a prominent name has comparatively less trappings. ‘You are an awareness that lives inside a form’ / ‘you are an awareness, being specifically aware’. YES. Combine this with a decent translation of the Sutras and a reader will have what they need for the doorway to meditative practice.
May 21, 2022
This book took me awhile to get through. The pose descriptions are very good but it is the first part that was most important to me. Finding the peace within yourself and learning how to practice this as well as the breathing techniques are becoming part of my daily routine.
January 14, 2019
Definitely a resource to use time and again.
April 20, 2019
Even for a yoga hack, this is a great book. I continue to use it as a reference so it never spends much time on the shelf. I highly recommend this for beginners to yogis.
July 12, 2020
Just finished yoga teacher training & this was favorite favorite and will be my go book.
August 6, 2020
I felt like I learned about great stillness from this book.
Read
July 20, 2025Own on Kindle.
September 21, 2020
Great discussion of the approach to the postures, not just the shape of the yoga postures. Helps to understand how breath and meditative practice combine with the postures.
October 30, 2011
The book opens with an inspiring yoga bio, then divides into four sections: 1) Mr. Schiffmann's yogic philosophy or approach, 2) an overview of how to approach asanas, breathing and energy, 3) asana instructions divided by type (standing postures, forward bends, backward bends, etc), and 4) meditation. This struck me as a totally reasonable way of going about things and is sufficient to whet any would-be yogi's appetites.
Regarding the first part, occupying pages 3-40: Schiffmann is definitely a New Agey, pseudo-theistic "all is one, one is all" kind of guy, and if that is your leaning, you are likely to enjoy and get benefit from this section. For better or worse, I am not that sort, and so I found myself skipping and rarely (actually, never) employing my ever handy hi-liter. So while I enjoyed the bio, part one was pretty much a wash for me, though like I said, I think this is on account of my temperamental and intellectual bent than on account of any lack of insight on the author's part.
In part two I started perking up. My hi-liter got some action and I felt I was learning things that I could really use. One thing Schiffmann did well was his discussion of ujjayi breathing while doing the asanas. Part three is a quite detailed review of various yoga postures--a little too detailed for my taste, actually. This may be on account of my having done many--if not most--of these postures at some time or another, so again, I think it depends on where you are in your yoga training. Newbies will especially benefit from this section.
I admit I skimmed part four. The New Agey-"God and the Self" talk returned, and the instructions are rather basic. This is not to say they are no good, though. It's just not the way I prefer to go about my meditation. Schiffmann discusses "centering," and "communing inwardly." He emphasizes "listening for guidance," the development of intuition and devotional surrender. All of these are perfectly fine practices and can lead down wonderful roads of self-discovery, but they are definitely not for everyone (such as yours truly). That being the case, I'm not even sure I am the right person to make a judgement here. My advice would be that if you do feel this approach fits/benefits you, then go for it. Make the most of it and I am sure you will be rewarded.
All in all, it is a good book and I am happy I bought and read it. The most important thing I learned was very valuable: For right now, Iyengar's "bible of yoga" is all I need.
Regarding the first part, occupying pages 3-40: Schiffmann is definitely a New Agey, pseudo-theistic "all is one, one is all" kind of guy, and if that is your leaning, you are likely to enjoy and get benefit from this section. For better or worse, I am not that sort, and so I found myself skipping and rarely (actually, never) employing my ever handy hi-liter. So while I enjoyed the bio, part one was pretty much a wash for me, though like I said, I think this is on account of my temperamental and intellectual bent than on account of any lack of insight on the author's part.
In part two I started perking up. My hi-liter got some action and I felt I was learning things that I could really use. One thing Schiffmann did well was his discussion of ujjayi breathing while doing the asanas. Part three is a quite detailed review of various yoga postures--a little too detailed for my taste, actually. This may be on account of my having done many--if not most--of these postures at some time or another, so again, I think it depends on where you are in your yoga training. Newbies will especially benefit from this section.
I admit I skimmed part four. The New Agey-"God and the Self" talk returned, and the instructions are rather basic. This is not to say they are no good, though. It's just not the way I prefer to go about my meditation. Schiffmann discusses "centering," and "communing inwardly." He emphasizes "listening for guidance," the development of intuition and devotional surrender. All of these are perfectly fine practices and can lead down wonderful roads of self-discovery, but they are definitely not for everyone (such as yours truly). That being the case, I'm not even sure I am the right person to make a judgement here. My advice would be that if you do feel this approach fits/benefits you, then go for it. Make the most of it and I am sure you will be rewarded.
All in all, it is a good book and I am happy I bought and read it. The most important thing I learned was very valuable: For right now, Iyengar's "bible of yoga" is all I need.
October 12, 2016
"Always perform the poses slowly and with care. Never fight yourself. Mastery of these easy poses will make the more difficult poses easy. Most of all, learn to enjoy your practice."
"Each breath you take can remind you to be here now, to treat this moment as important, and repeatedly to affirm the fact that right now you are exactly where you want to be, doing exactly what you want to be doing."
"Train yourself to stay in the now."
"You are in charge; you are the master of your breath."
"The process of yoga is one of undoing the obstructions and limitations in your body and mind that inhibit the free flow of creative life force."
"Go slowly. Take your time."
"Never be in a place you don't want to be. If you do not like it, change it. Adjust."
"Your body will open and let you in when it's ready."
"It is, in fact, exceedingly important to think well of yourself and to experience genuine self-appreciation."
"Relax, be unafraid, and enjoy the movement of life."
"Ask for guidance, listen inwardly for your deepest impulses, and dare to do what these prompt you to do."
"Relax, be patient, wait. Let it come to you. Sit quietly, as though you were sitting at a bus stop waiting for a bus, knowing it will be here in just a moment. The more you do this, the better you will get at it."
"If something is right for you, it will feel right; if something is not right for you, it will feel wrong."
"Pursue that which feels right, attracts you. Do the things you like to do. Honor your deepest feelings and live the life that fulfills you and makes you happy."
"What is best for you is best for the universe."
"When you are getting dressed, mentally ask, "Should I wear the read shirt or the blue shirt today?" Wear the one you are prompted to wear."
"Listen inwardly for what you feel like doing, for what you are prompted to do, and then do as you are guided."
"Each breath you take can remind you to be here now, to treat this moment as important, and repeatedly to affirm the fact that right now you are exactly where you want to be, doing exactly what you want to be doing."
"Train yourself to stay in the now."
"You are in charge; you are the master of your breath."
"The process of yoga is one of undoing the obstructions and limitations in your body and mind that inhibit the free flow of creative life force."
"Go slowly. Take your time."
"Never be in a place you don't want to be. If you do not like it, change it. Adjust."
"Your body will open and let you in when it's ready."
"It is, in fact, exceedingly important to think well of yourself and to experience genuine self-appreciation."
"Relax, be unafraid, and enjoy the movement of life."
"Ask for guidance, listen inwardly for your deepest impulses, and dare to do what these prompt you to do."
"Relax, be patient, wait. Let it come to you. Sit quietly, as though you were sitting at a bus stop waiting for a bus, knowing it will be here in just a moment. The more you do this, the better you will get at it."
"If something is right for you, it will feel right; if something is not right for you, it will feel wrong."
"Pursue that which feels right, attracts you. Do the things you like to do. Honor your deepest feelings and live the life that fulfills you and makes you happy."
"What is best for you is best for the universe."
"When you are getting dressed, mentally ask, "Should I wear the read shirt or the blue shirt today?" Wear the one you are prompted to wear."
"Listen inwardly for what you feel like doing, for what you are prompted to do, and then do as you are guided."
July 27, 2017
Despite the high rating I gave this, I'm actually divided on it. As a guide to the poses of yoga, it's brilliant, with clear photographs of each pose, and for the more difficult ones, a breakdown of working up to the poses in easier stages. It's going to be invaluable as a reference.
As a text explaining meditation, daily routine, and all the non-pose-related aspects of yoga, I found it incredibly wordy, repetitive, and preachy. I understand that the pose guides need to be complete for the reference aspect, so I don't begrudge them being repetitive; but the rest of the text? If I ever see the phrase "relax with intensity" again, I might scream. Which is clearly not the point of yoga.
Eventually I realized the book was written in the style of a teacher giving a class--out loud. And since the point of yoga practice is to live in the moment, to free yourself from tension and worry, I get that. Spoken direction for yoga is and would logically be incredibly repetitive over the course of a session. But in book format, it becomes tedious. Yes, I remember you told me to concentrate on my breath, to observe the sensations of it but not to control it. You don't need to tell me twenty times...in the book.
But I can't truly criticize it for this style, because for some people, it would be far more accessible and easy to understand than a drier text that lays out the principles once and moves straight on to the poses. It just irked me.
As a text explaining meditation, daily routine, and all the non-pose-related aspects of yoga, I found it incredibly wordy, repetitive, and preachy. I understand that the pose guides need to be complete for the reference aspect, so I don't begrudge them being repetitive; but the rest of the text? If I ever see the phrase "relax with intensity" again, I might scream. Which is clearly not the point of yoga.
Eventually I realized the book was written in the style of a teacher giving a class--out loud. And since the point of yoga practice is to live in the moment, to free yourself from tension and worry, I get that. Spoken direction for yoga is and would logically be incredibly repetitive over the course of a session. But in book format, it becomes tedious. Yes, I remember you told me to concentrate on my breath, to observe the sensations of it but not to control it. You don't need to tell me twenty times...in the book.
But I can't truly criticize it for this style, because for some people, it would be far more accessible and easy to understand than a drier text that lays out the principles once and moves straight on to the poses. It just irked me.
July 8, 2011
This book is one you won't want to get rid of if you are practicing yogi. Erich Schiffman reminds yogis that yoga is more than the asanas; rather, it is about feeling, being open, being receptive to our true Selves. It is about living yoga. This book provides thoughtful, spiritual insight in the first portion of the book, and then detailed and helpful tips with pictures of various asana postures. This book is especially useful for people who struggle with mediation or live in their head too much since Schiffman offers several ways to meditate and feel our yoga practice. He also encourages yogis to practice with eyes closed to help silent their busy mind, which I find useful in my personal practice. This is a book I will forever have in my personal library. I was fortunate enough to have a friend let me borrow a copy, and now I want to have my own personal copy to come back to for years to come. Enjoy yoga lovers!
July 24, 2016
I read this book to pieces. Literally.
I was a beginner in my yoga practices and living in small towns in the north woods with no yoga teachers around and I wanted more. This book helped me by giving me both heartfelt inspiration through his personal journey and insights with yoga as well as the very thorough step by step instructions on the poses. I think I remember almost writing him a thank you letter.
I have since studied at three different teacher trainings and various studios and am no longer in need of the book, but I do remember that young girl so eager for more and it quenched some of my thirst.
I was a beginner in my yoga practices and living in small towns in the north woods with no yoga teachers around and I wanted more. This book helped me by giving me both heartfelt inspiration through his personal journey and insights with yoga as well as the very thorough step by step instructions on the poses. I think I remember almost writing him a thank you letter.
I have since studied at three different teacher trainings and various studios and am no longer in need of the book, but I do remember that young girl so eager for more and it quenched some of my thirst.
April 4, 2008
This is one of the most thorough yoga books I have ever read. Erich Schiffmann discusses the importance of breathing as well as the physiological aspects of each pose in great detail. There are also suggested routines that look great, but I am lazy enough that in order to actually practice, I need a dvd in front of me (I like Kathy Smith's New Yoga series). I find that although my dvds are well-cued and timed, the information from his book helps me get the most out of each pose because it fills in all of the information that would take too long for Kathy to cue.
July 23, 2013
A book cant teach us yoga, even this one doesnot. This is an excellent reference book. Very good for understand how to approach and practice yoga, to understand how exactly is yoga different from stretching or other exercises, on attitude - no, not preaching but things like being aware of lines of energy, finding the edge etc. I liked it a lot. very enlightening. :-)
For the asanas, This book makes sense only once u have gone to a teacher and learnt the basics. Can be used for refinement. It has excellent steps or intermediate stages which lead us into complicated asanas.
For the asanas, This book makes sense only once u have gone to a teacher and learnt the basics. Can be used for refinement. It has excellent steps or intermediate stages which lead us into complicated asanas.
November 13, 2007
His intro about living in India as a young man and how he discovered yoga is really interesting. The beginning chapters on breathwork, edges, and asana fundamentals bring new ideas and new perspective to my own appreciation of yoga. The pose breakdown chapters in the 2nd half of the book are okay but offer few modifications for cranky knees, hips, spines and necks.
December 2, 2007
while the majority of this book explains some beginner asanas (yoga poses) with helpful photos, i found this book incredibly powerful for Schiffman's writings about yoga's ability to cultivate inner stillness, calm, centeredness, focus, and self-realization. he also has a good guide to meditation at the end. beautiful book.
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