Autobiography of a Yogi

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Product Description
Autobiography of a Yogi is at once a beautifully written account of an exceptional life and a profound introduction to the ancient science of Yoga and its time-honored tradition of meditation. This acclaimed autobiography presents a fascinating portrait of one of the great spiritual figures of our time. With engaging candor, eloquence, and wit, Paramahansa Yogananda tells the inspiring chronicle of his life: the experiences of his remarkable childhood, encounter with many saints and sages during his youthful search throughout India for an illumined teacher, ten years of training in the hermitage of a revered yoga master, and the thirty years that he lived and taught in America. Also recorded here are his meetings with Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Luther Burbank, the Catholic stigmatist Therese Neumann, and other celebrated spiritual personalities of East and West. The author clearly explains the subtle but definite laws behind both the ordinary events of everyday life and the extraordinary events commonly termed miracles. His absorbing life story becomes the background for a penetrating and unforgettable look at the ultimate mysteries of human existence. Selected as "One of the 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century," Autobiography of a Yogi has been translated into 20 languages, and is regarded worldwide as a classic of religious literature. Several million copies have been sold, and it continues to appear on best-seller lists after more than sixty consecutive years in print. Profoundly inspiring, it is at the same time vastly entertaining, warmly humorous and filled with extraordinary personages. Self-Realization Fellowship's editions, and none others, include extensive material added by the author after the first edition was published, including a final chapter on the closing years of his life.

Review on Amazon.com by RichardPinneau.com
Like Gandhi, Yogananda writes humbly and includes his foibles and the pratfalls he takes as he journeys through life's lessons. In fact, unless you read elsewhere about his life you won't realize how much he understates his own accomplishments while he honors other spiritual seekers and teachers he encounters.
His stories of encounters with amazing saints of all regions and religions are spell-binding, and you may find yourself (like me) devouring the whole book on your first read -- just reveling in the wonders of these true spiritual seekers. On successive readings I delved deeper into the equally fascinating footnotes, learning about the exotic realms of Indian spirituality and its unexpected parallels with the original Christian teachings of Christ, St. John, and St. Paul.

In fact, the countless strata of insights and implications that surface with repeated readings of Autobiography of a Yogi argue for spending a few more dollars on the trade paperback rather than the mass market paperback edition, since you'll want to return numerous times over the years. The Self-Realization Fellowship editions are to be preferred over others. Yogananda himself started that organization (SRF), and the award-winning quality of SRF editing and printing shines through them - in contrast to bootlegged editions printed up by renegade outfits.

In all my reading in spirituality, yoga, and comparative religion, I have discovered no work that so completely fulfills Carl Jung's prophecy that yoga science (the whole science, not just the athletic postures) will offer you ''undreamed-of possibilities'' as Yogananda's autobiography. As the author explains, 'yoga' comes from the root meaning 'union' - and he reveals, ever more deeply, the underlying oneness of Christianity and yoga, of spiritual truth and scientific truth, of the worldly and the spirituality. It will deepen anyone's own faith and sensibility -- of whatever religion (or none), of the science of matter... or mind... or Spirit.

The Vedic Experience: Mantramanjari (an Anthology of the Vedas for Modern Man...)

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MyHinduPage.org Review. There are many people who are interested in reading the Vedas. Though most are not aware that the Vedas consists of four books and each of these four are actually a compendium of a few hundred books. If you wanted to study the entire Vedas it could take a lifetime. Many Hindus also like to have the Vedas as part of their scriptural library, like how Christians keep the Bible and Muslims keep the Quran. For all those who wish to study, or simply keep the Vedas at home, I highly recommend this book by Professor Raimundo Panikkar. I got to know this book as part of my study of Hinduism under my guru. His anthology which is are very beautifully crafted collection of verses from the various Vedic books reflect the essence of the teachings of the Vedas, their poetry and feel. This book is entirely in English, and does not have the original sanskrit verses or direct translations of words. However the verses are extensively referenced for those who wish to know the origins of their selected verse. This book makes the study of the Vedas friendly and captures the ancient wisdom of the Vedas in all its profundity.

Review by Tepi on Amazon.com
We have all heard of the Vedas. We know that the Vedic Canon comprises a huge body of literature handed down orally in India since ancient times. Many of us have heard that it is made up of four collections - the Rigveda, Atharva Veda, Yajurveda, and Samaveda - along with adjacent treatises such as the Brahmanas and Aranyakas. These books undoubtedly exist, written in an inaccessible language, published in large and expensive scholarly editions, and tucked away in obscure libraries. Although we may have run into a translated excerpt or two, for many of us the whole subject has a musty and forbidding air, and we probably concluded long ago that it's something best left to scholars as quite irrelevant to to we moderns. But a few minutes spent with Dr Panikkar's superb anthology will show us how wrong we are.

Dr Panikkar is a remarkable man, not only for his incredible scholarship - he is a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, with many significant publications to his credit - but remarkable also for his honesty. He points out that modern man is a diminished man. Despite the superficial excitements of our high-tech world, life for most has become a flat, stale, and joyless thing. It is joyless because we have forgotten what life is supposed to be, and Dr Panikkar hopes by means of this book to shift our perception of things to a different register, to put us back in touch with realities by reawakening in us something of the joy and wonder in life which was felt by those early and vigorous peoples who sang the Vedas.

The Vedic songs represent the most amazing celebration of life that has ever been created. And although Dr Panikkar's book is certainly scholarly, it was not written primarily for scholars, or even for persons with a special interest in things Indian. It was written for all of us. Its only requirement is that you be human.

The book wasn't even written to be read, for each of the beautifully translated texts Dr Panikkar has given us is a Mantra or meditation. We are supposed to soak in them, assimilate them, and preferably even recite them aloud along with others in a group. They are a means whereby all of us, no matter of what race or persuasion, can come together and join again in a joyous celebration of life and our shared humanity, and of the glorious universe we live in. And I think you will find that they do work. Here is an example of their fine quality as captured in the translator's wonderfully lucid English:

"Now Dawn with her earliest light shines forth,
beloved of the Sky,
Fresh from her toilet, conscious of her beauty,
she emerges visible for all to see.
Dawn, Daughter of Heaven, lends us her lustre,
dispersing all shadows of malignity,
Arousing from deep slumber all that lives,
stirring to motion man and beast and bird,
This maiden infringes not the Eternal Law,
day after day coming to the place appointed" (pages 164-65).

The book represents an enormous labor of love. Dr Panikkar tells us that he spent over ten years combing through the vast Vedic corpus in order to select, translate, and arrange the very best texts it had to offer, texts that we moderns are very much in need of, whether we realize it or not. Each of the more than five hundred texts he has selected is preceded by very full introductory comment and is also usefully annotated. The texts have been organized into seven parts:

Part I - Dawn and Birth (Waters, Earth, Wind, Dawn, Human Birth, etc.).

Part II - Germination and Growth (Divine Gifts, Food, Knowing the Earth, Human Work, The Happy Life, etc.).

Part III - Blossoming and Fullness (Radiance and Cosmic Refulgence, Sacrifice, Breaking the Boundaries, etc.).

Part IV - Fall and Decay (Sorrow and Suffering, Sin and Mercy, etc.).

Part V - Death and Dissolution (The Mystery of the Beyond, The Blessings for the Journey, Liturgy for the Dead, Cosmic Disintegration, Hell, Heaven).

Part VI - New Life and Freedom (Transcendental Consciousness, The Discovery of the Ground, The Fulfillment of the Person, etc.).

Part VII - Twilight (At Sunrise, Spring Summer, Rainy Season, Autumn, Winter, Frosty Season, etc.).

The texts, most of them quite short, are contained in a book of almost 1000 pages which is cloth-bound, stitched, and well-printed on good paper. Even the most jaded could open it up at any page and immediately become enthralled. There is a freshness and purity to these texts that is irresistible. It is like coming across a blossom-filled meadow in spring.

These vigorous and life-affirmative songs give us what men and women once were, and what we may yet become once again, for it is what deep down we still are though we have forgotten. Life, despite its many hardships, is supposed to be joyous, something to be celebrated. And one is intensely grateful to Dr Panikkar for having rescued these songs from scholarly oblivion and provided us with the means of again entering into that celebration.

Readers may care to know that an abridged edition of the present book recently appeared as: INITIATION TO THE VEDAS : AN ABRIDGED EDITION OF THE VEDIC EXPERIENCE - MANTRAMANJARI by Raimon Pannikar. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2006. 102 pp. Color Plates. ISBN: 8120829549. Binding: Soft Cover.

The Science Of Pranayama by Swami Sivananda

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Review by MyHinduPage.org. All enlightened yoga masters will point out that mastery of life can be achieved if the mind is mastered. They will continue this statement and present the formulae that the mind can be mastered through the breath. That life itself can be mastered by minding ones breath seems rather simplistic if not ridiculous especially if you are schooled in contemporary science. If this is so for you allow the great yoga master Swami Sivananda of Divine Life Society teach you more than a thing or two about the yogic perspective of the power of breathing. He also offers in this book many techniques of breathing for different purposes. In my yoga training with my guru the emphasis on breathing to control thought patterns and emotions was paramount. It is the key to achieving the ultimate experiences of God Realization. Later I learned that pranayama, which means breath control can be used to bring the body to a state of balance that can heal diseases of the body and mind effectively. This book by Swami Sivananda is a gem. His writings are always practical and easy to understand with a lot of candor. It is a valuable and rare book on pranayama that is a must for all those aspirants of yoga and mystics who are interested in the potent yoga of pranayama.

Review by Seeker on Amazon.com
This book by Swami Sivananda Ji Maharaj is like all His other works -- namely practical! There is plenty of inspiring material as well with quotes and excerpts from the scriptures extolling the benefits and powers of a pranayama practice. There is a section "special instructions" which is full of useful guidelines. If you plan to undertake a dedicated pranayama practice for laying the foundation for spiritual practice then you must buy this book. Between this book and Swami Ramdev Ji's DVD on pranayama and asanas, you will have everything you need to start a very rewarding practice.

I have been practicing pranayama for a little over a month for about 2 to 4 hours a day, after learning from Swami Ramdev Ji's DVD and this book. I can say without any reservation that pranayama is indeed the most powerful technique amongst all the knowledge known to mankind. All the laws of physics, mathematics and engineering marvels are a mere zero in comparison to the grandeur of this divine vidya.

It will remove all sorts of health ailments, known and unknown. You will enjoy radiant health. It will clarify your thinking and make it crystal clear. It will make you fearless. It will improve your concetration. It will help in controlling your anger and allow you to go deep into meditation. I am waiting to see what will happen after six months of practice! Please do not delay, start a diligent practice from this very minute!

Please do not listen to books and "experts" who always tell you to learn from a teacher. While it is true that one needs a teacher for advanced practices of retention, most of the simpler pranayamas can be learned with the aids mentioned here. One should not miss out on the profound benefits of pranayama while waiting for a teacher to arrive. All one has to do is to use caution and stay within one's capacity. All this is well explained in the resources mentioned here.

Of course, it goes without saying that the books from the Bihar School of Yoga on this subject are also stellar works! These include the books by Swami Satyananda Saraswati Ji and Swami Niranjanananda Ji.

Solkattu Manual: An Introduction to the Rhythmic Language of South Indian Music

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Solkattu, the spoken rhythms and patterns of hand-clapping used by all musicians and dancers in the classical traditions of South India, is a subject of worldwide interest--but until now there has not been a textbook for students new to the practice. Designed especially for classroom use in a Western setting, the manual begins with rudimentary lessons in the simplest South Indian tala, or metric cycle, and proceeds step-by-step into more challenging material. The book then provides lessons in the eight-beat adi tala, arranged so that by the end, students will have learned a full percussion piece they can perform as an ensemble. Solkattu Manual includes two DVDs featuring performances of all 150 lessons, and full performances of all three of the outlined small-ensemble pieces. Ideal for courses in world music and general musicianship, as well as independent study. Book lies flat for easy use.

Review by Douglas Mackenzie on Amazon.com

If you have ever heard Carnatic rhythm, you recognize an intricate and profound music. (If you have not yet heard, I recommend Vidwan by Ramnad Krishnan featuring the rhythmic accompaniment of T. Ranganathan, the author's teacher). If your curiosity is piqued and you decide you want to learn in the resplendent, centuries-old oral tradition of South Indian Classical Percussion, where do you begin? Say you are fortunate enough to find a teacher, you will likely need to travel to India and devote yourself to learning the manual technique of Mrdangam, Kanjira, Ghatam, or Thavil. Don't let me discourage you: I did it, and can testify it's a very fulfilling pursuit. It also requires years of dedication. If that's what you are looking for: GO! But let me suggest you maximize your potential and master the principles David Nelson sets forth here first.

And if travel is not in your cards and you are a musician, or aspiring musician, who wants to awaken and further rhythmic sensibility, I urge you to digest this book/video. Solkattu Manual will challenge and reward you with perhaps the most complex, intricate and colorful rhythmic tradition alive. All you need here is your hands to count, your mouth to speak, and you are ready to embark on a rhythmic odyssey that will sharpen your timing; integrate pulse, cycle and phrasing; and lead you to states of sublime beauty.

Though it can be applied to any instrument, Solkattu does not require one. So with Solkattu in your repertoire, your music is portable. You'll never again get bored if you find yourself waiting somewhere in line. Your mind will be singing...

"Ta - Ta Jem - Jem - Ta Ri Ta Ku Ku Na Ku Ku Ta - Di - -"

David Nelson has succeeded in offering an accessible manual that is not only true to the vast tradition of Carnatic percussion, but also relevant to music making of many kinds. Though more succinct than his 1,000 page Ph.D thesis, Mrdangam Mind, it is not a smaller feat. With finesse that only comes through years of teaching, Nelson has distilled essential principles and emphasized useful practices from a deep oral tradition. The lessons progress musically, and the participant develops a web of various skills, knit together through practical application.

I can speak confidently of Nelson's excellent playing and teaching because I learned from him, and his teacher, T. Ranganathan. From nine musical generations dating back to the Tanjore Court, Ranganathan first came to Wesleyan University in 1962 and focused much of his career on teaching Americans, until his passing in 1987. David Nelson is one of a very few professional level mrdangam players who carries Ranganathan's legacy onward. The unique, cross-cultural pedagogy David learned within, and helped create, is characterized by its uncompromising beauty, but also its flexibility in teaching musicians of diverse backgrounds. There are other excellent schools of Carnatic percussion, but none that have developed the same expertise in teaching westerners. And there is something rare and exquisite about the colorful syllables of this family tradition, steeped in the lively sounds of both dance accompaniment and concert repertoire.

David Nelson has not diluted Ranga's methods, but has furthered them by his tasteful choice of materials and brilliant presentation. As the emphasis in some of today's Carnatic percussion has turned to speed, I find it especially refreshing that, in this volume, nuance and subtlety are alive and musical. This is the real deal. And David's example begs the question, if he can play authentic South Indian music, why can't you? Those of us who knew Ranga are proud that Nelson now holds his position as Artist-in-Residence at Wesleyan, and doubly gratified that Solkattu Manual carries treasures we love to the wider world. It's the greatest pleasure to share in the awesome beauty of this music. Thank you David for leading with mastery, strength and dedication.

Mahabharata by C. Rajagopalachari

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Originally published in the year 1951,the huge popularity of the book ,has resulted in the book being re-printed several times.Centuries ago, it was proclaimed of the Mahabharata: "What is not in it, is nowhere." But even now, we can use the same words about it. He who knows it not, knows not the heights and depths of the soul; he misses the trials and tragedy and the beauty and grandeur of life. More details: The Mahabharata is not a mere epic; it is a romance, telling the tale of heroic men and women, and of some who were divine; it is a whole literature in itself, containing a code of life, a philosophy of social and ethical relations, and speculative thought on human problems that is hard to rival; but, above all, it has for its core the Gita,which is, as the world is beginning to find out, the noblest of scriptures and the grandest of sagas in which the climax is reached in the wondrous apocalypse in the Eleventh Canto. The book's popularity is such that it has run into forty two reprints.

MyHinduPage Review. This book is a classic translation of the Mahabharata. It is a common sight in Hindu households and libraries. It is probably one of the first ever translation of the Mahabharata in English by a Hindu that is formatted as a novel. It is an easy read especially for Hindus or those who have some understanding of Hinduism and Hindu culture. This book is a good one to introduce the Mahabharata to students and can easily be used as for Hinduism study assignments or project papers. It has a terse glossary, mainly explaining the names of deities and characters in Mahabharata.

The Mahabharata by J. D. Smith (Penguin Classics)

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The Mahabharata
Originally composed in Sanskrit sometime between 400 BC and 400 AD, The Mahabharata-with one hundred thousand stanzas of verse-is one of the longest poems in existence. At the heart of the saga is a conflict between two branches of a royal family whose feud culminates in a titanic eighteen-day battle. Exploring such timeless subjects as dharma (duty), artha (purpose), and kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation) in a mythic world of warfare, magic, and beauty, this is a magnificent and legendary Hindu text of immense importance to the culture of the Indian subcontinent.

Review by MyHinduPage.org. This book published by Penguin is written by an English Sanskrit scholar. He thus takes care to keep the reading friendly for those uninitiated into sanskrit scriptures or Hinduism, without drowning the original feel of the scripture with too much interpretation. It is an easy read and recommended for those who wish to read the Mahabharata as close to the original text without being mired in sanskrit cross translations and debates on word interpretation that is common among many local Indian presentations. This book reads more like a story book and the translations are excellent. The only thing I would criticize about the book is the cover art, which is reflective of mughal style. The Mahabharata was written way before the Mughal style ever appeared in Indian history and the painting has no representation whatsoever of any characters of the Mahabharata. It is a small issue but I hope Penguin books will rectify it in another print.

Review by CarrierofLadders on Amazon.com
This version of the Mahabharata is mostly a paraphrase in English. I have not been able to find more than that without great expense, however it is very good for someone who wants the narrative with the details of the story but also wants to get the feeling of the text. The paraphrase is interspersed with fairly lengthy sections of text. All the things you might get in an English retelling are reproduced in really beautiful prose. The battle scenes are harrowing. Anyone who might be sqeamish at the Illiad (I have not met such a person, but I am told they exist)would be wise to steer clear. I am not a scholar of Indian Literature and have only the most basic grasp of Hindu pantheon and tradition, but I found this accessible and really compelling. The characters are really unforgetable. The enduring message of the work about faith and dharma has not lost any beauty and relevance today. It would be wise to get a good version of the Bhagavad Gita and read that in its entirety when you arrive at the relevant passages, for that really would complete the experience. For the price of a penguin book you could not get better.

Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing

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Publisher's Weekly Review
Starred Review. Western-trained internist and Yoga Journal medical editor McCall has practiced Iyengar yoga for a decade. In 2002, he traveled to India, where most scientific research on yoga's medical benefits has been conducted. The results of that visit and McCall's subsequent study of yoga therapy and ayurveda (India's ancient medical system) are presented here, translated into Western medical terms. For example, McCall demystifies such concepts as samskaras (unconscious patterns that negatively affect behavior and health); scientists, McCall says, explain these patterns as repeated firings of neurons that change the brain's wiring. Although McCall's focus is on yoga therapy, he includes material that will be helpful to most students. For readers challenged by illness, he provides an overview of popular yoga styles and their suitability for various degrees of fitness; steps to finding a yoga therapist; and what to expect from a session. Twenty chapters feature noted yoga instructors describing their approaches to specific conditions—panic attacks, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, infertility, cancer, etc. They offer advice, rather than fixed protocols, based on their tradition and experience. This might frustrate readers seeking a formula, but those willing to experiment have access to many diverse tools and practices. No doubt McCall's fine articulation of yoga's healing potential will appeal to a large audience of instructors, students, physicians and their patients. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review by Theresa Reed on Amazon.com
I have been anticipating the release of this book ever since I saw an ad for it in Yoga Journal. It was touted as "indispensible" and for once, an ad delivered what it promised. Written by the medical editor of Yoga Journal, Timothy McCall M.D., "Yoga As Medicine" offers so much more than a regular book of asanas.

McCall starts by going into some detail about the science behind yoga - giving examples of how yoga can help heal the body. Although he is clear to state that yoga should not take the place of a doctor, he invites the reader to complement their current treatment with yoga. The author also gives good common sense strategies to doing yoga safely (I especially like the cautions about hands on adjustments - I have witnessed people being injured by overly assertive yoga instructors trying to "bend" people into a pose before the body was ready). I also enjoyed reading the chapter on choosing a style and a teacher. Here, McCall lists some of the most well known styles and gives some really good advice to help the reader choose a system that is suited for them.

The third part of the book is the real 'meat'- there are twenty chapters on specific health issues (ex: asthma, IBS, obesity, MS). For each chapter, an experienced yoga teacher (ex: Judith Hanson Lasater, Gary Kraftsow, Patricia Walden) gives their perspective on the issue and how they may have dealt with a student who had the condition. Real life examples are in the book but the author also states that these approaches may not necessarily be right for your condition (for instance, on page xii, he states that Lasater, who wrote the chapter on back pain, was using a case study with sciatica as her example - and may not recommend the featured routine for another student with back pain). Speaking of routines, each chapter also has a specific yoga routine for each condition with full illustrations as well as contraindications, modifications, suggestions, and an overview of the condition from a Western doctor's perspective. These details make the book comprehensive and well rounded.

Other nice features: an appendix on avoiding injury, details on anatomy, a plan for starting your home yoga practice, meditation techniques, and a sanskrit glossary. I also liked that he used not only famous yoga instructors, but a few lesser known but equally valuable teachers. McCall studies with Patricia Walden and there is a bit of a slant towards Iyengar style yoga, but other styles that have a therapuetic bent such as Viniyoga and Anusara are featured here too.

I heartily recommend this book not only to yoga instructors but to any practitioner, new or old! There is not another book like it and I'd rate it 10 stars if I could!

The Yoga Bible

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Editorial Review on Amazon.com
Featuring over 150 yogic postures from the main schools of yoga, including Iyengar and Astanga Vinyasa, this guide provides a comprehensive illustrated step-by-step book to achieving the postures and advice on altering them where necessary with easier postures highlighted for beginners. The book also includes more advanced positions for experienced yogists, which will inspired them in developing their practice.
In addition to postures, the book includes notes on various types of yoga practices as well as a summary of well-known traditional schools of yoga and how they vary. Also inside is advice from the author on breathing techniques and the benefits of yoga in healing, pregnancy, de-stressing and meditation.

Christina Brown qualified as a yoga instructor at the Sivananda Ashram in southern India in 1995. She has also trained in Iyengar Yoga at the Sydney Yoga Centre and in Deradun, India and in yoga therapy at the Yoga Therapy Centre in London. She currently teaches yoga in Sydney, Australia and holds a degree in complementary medicine from the Natural Care College in Sydney. She lives in Sydney, Australia.

Review by G. Brazitis on Amazon.com
The Yoga Bible: The Definitive Guide to Yoga Postures by Christina Brown is a nice little yoga book that fits snuggly into your bag and can be a source of inspiration for all yoga students but some of the poses would challenge the most advance yogi's.

Physically, this book has a small foot print but has over 400 pages of information and covers 170 Yoga Positions. The construction seems average at best. I doubt if this book would stand up to much wear and tear since the binding looks brittle. It is tough to keep open on the mat with out the pages closing quickly on you. It should be bigger!

The content of the books starts with Part One: Introductions (8 Yoga Limbs, Breathing, and Practice Suggestions), Part Two: The Practice (Postures, Pranayama, Mudras, Bandhas, and Kriyas), Part Three: Yoga with a Special Focus (Ailments, Meditation), Part Four: Finding Your Yoga (9 Branches of Yoga).

Part One: Introductions - Starts with the History of Yoga, Rewards, The Eight Limbs of Yoga, and Practice Guidelines. This section is clear, short, and concise. The guideline for practicing offers some very good suggestions for approaching your time on the mat.

Part Two: The Practice - The color photos are great and the detailed Information Box is extremely helpful with the following headings: Gaze, Build-Up Poses, Counter Poses, Lighten, and Effect. It would have been even better if they would have included Warnings and included page numbers next to the Build-Up and Counter Poses for quick reference. The models are exceptionally yogis with many years of practice so use some caution when trying these poses. It would have been an added benefit to show modifications with props. The sections on Pranayama, Mudras, Bandhas, and Kriyas are presented and explained very well allowing the student to enrich their practice.

Part Three: Yoga with a Special Focus - Deals with suggestion posture for specific ailments. This chapter would have been better to have included some Yoga Sessions or Practices designed for beginners and then some more advanced students. The Meditation discussion is nice but could have done better by exploring it some more.

Part Four: Finding Your Yoga - Explores the different forms of yoga presenting a brief explanation of each style. This is helpful in understanding the differences between the different schools of yoga.

Bottom line, The Yoga Bible would make a nice addition to your yoga library.

Yoga Anatomy

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MyHinduPage.org Review. This a great book for hatha yoga instructors as well as students. It mainly shows the muscles. When learned under a true yoga asana master, hatha yoga is learned with the understanding of how each pose effects the body and psyche. Clear understanding of muscle groups as well as the endocrine system is important for anyone who wants to teach yoga. This book is a good start for understanding some of the hidden workings of yoga poses.

Review on Amazon.com by Stephanie
Yoga Anatomy is a book that gives the reader a look inside the human body as it is put in various yoga positions.

Chapter 1 covers the dynamics of breathing and actually covers some breathing physiology as well. Chapter 2 talks about the spine and gives some pretty detailed spinal information. Chapter 3 is short and covers the asanas.

The rest of the book, Chapters 4 through 9, make up the "meat" of the book and contains most of the anatomy information most readers probably bought the book for- what muscles are used in what poses. The way the book gives you the information is quite handy- it has a section on standing poses, sitting poses, kneeling poses, on-your-stomach poses, on-your-back poses, and arm supported poses. Sooo, all you have to do is pick a position/pose, and there you'll find pictures of what muscles are involved (and let me say, they show you some great angles of the poses to make sure the reader can see ALL the muscles that are involved). In addition to learing what muscles are involved, the book also tells you what joint actions are involved, as well as what body parts are working AND which ones are lengthening- neat!

A great reference book, its simply perfect for the yoga enthusiast that has become acquainted over time with muscles they never knew they had- but will now after reading this book! Also recommend The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution if plantar fasciitis pain keeps you from doing your yoga.

Weaver's Wisdom - The Tirukkural in English

Weaver's Wisdom: Ancient Precepts for a Perfect Life

MyHinduPage.org Review. The Tirukkural is a classic Tamil scripture reflective of Hindu culture. While the author Tiruvalluvar, said to have written this book some two thousand years ago never mentioned God by any sectarian Hindu names, he refers to God in Universal terms. This book has some of the best and most concise translations of the kurals (couplets) of wisdom with no commentary. The original Tamil of the verse is also provided. However this book does not provide translation of the entire Tirukkural. Of the 1330 verses in the Thirukkural, this book has 1080 verses. The remaining 250 verses that deal with romance is not included.

Review by jinwen on Amazon.com
"A smiling face is no sure sign of friendship. Friendship is found deep within a smiling heart" Kural 786

"Love, modesty, propriety, a kindly eye and truthfulness--these are the five pillars on which perfect goodness rests." Kural 983

"Eyes that remain unmoved by pity might as well be unmovable trees stumps bound in earth." Kural 576

This book is a wonderful addition to any spiritual library and is a great tool for mediation. On the cover of my book, is a sticker saying, "India's Fortune Cookies for the Soul" and rightly so. You apply apply most, if not all, of the 1080 Kurals (verses) from the first 2 chapters of the Tirukural to your daily life. There are Kurals from all sorts of subjects, and there are 10 Kurals per subject. Also, for each subject, there is a Kural illustrated on the left, with the Kural written in Tamil. Lastly, there is a glossary and index in the back to help you find and understand the Kurals.

The Tirukkural

Tirukkural Handbook of Tamil Culture and Heritage

MyHinduPage.org Review. I cannot vouch for the english translation of the Tirukkural in this book. It is probably in archaic Victorian English. But for those who want a classic version of the Tirukkural in Tamil, this is a great resource available on Amazon.com.

Editorial Review on Amazon.com
This book is bilingual in format. Every word of its content is in two languages, Tamil & English. The intent is to make familiar to you as a non-Tamil reader, Tamil's great past, its contribution to human thought and culture, its potential for a great future so that you can understand the Tamil diaspora comprising of 70 million Tamils in almost every part of the world. You are most welcome to explore the Tamil's great universal ethical masterpiece Tirukkural (Section 1) in its entirety and beauty, written by Thiruvalluvar before Christ. You can see why this Tamil scripture is truly unique in its appeal to the universal Man. You will see and experience why unlike any other scripture Tirukkural transcends national boundaries, historical time lines, society limitations, language barriers, and makes great sense and relevance even today and for all times to come. You can further explore in Section 2, the Handbook of Tamil Culture & Heritage, about the Tamil civilization that made Tirukkural possible in many perspectives. After that a quick overview of Tamil splendor in Section 3, the Guide to Tamils Future caps it by pointing the ways and means of how along with Tamils you can personally benefit and continue the journey to reach new heights.