Ashtanga Yoga for Women: Invigorating Mind, Body, and Spirit with Power Yoga

This is an excellent reference specifically for the female ashtangi. The views of each pose include the drishti and reminders of the bandhas. The breath count is included as well and will be helpful to the beginner. Suggestions for modifications are printed near the poses referred to. A brief essay on the philosophy is included as are mini chapters on the different "seasons" of a woman's life (almost no mention is made of menopause, however). The pictures are excellent but the print is very light and very small making it difficult to read. I would suggest having this as a second or third reference and using David Swenson's manual as a primary guide along with an authorized instructor. Another excellent guide is G. Maehle's new book: Ashtanga.Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and PhilosophyAshtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual: An Illustrated Guide to Personal Practice I would have given this 5 stars but it's not as thorough as it could be. Many women practice throughout their lives and the biggest transitions - perimenopause and menopause are barely hinted at.

I just began to practice Ashtanga yoga and there are so many Yoga related books out there, but none of them, until this one, is specifically for female practicers. It explains in detail what female Ashtanga Yoga practicers need mind during different stage of life - pregnancy, menstrual period, etc, - to adjust practice accordingly.It's very helpful for female Ashtanga yoga practicers in general.However, there's some minor typo or mis-numbered error here and there in the book, it also doesn't include second series.I strongly suggest female practicers to get this one as a second reference because in our life, there are times we need make adjustment accordingly.