Essential Yoga: An Illustrated Guide to Over 100 Yoga Poses and Meditation

A useful resource for beginners, Essential Yoga provides instructions for a wide variety of yoga practices, including poses, breathing practices, and meditations. The introduction provides a general overview of the text as well as several valuable recommendations and cautions; each chapter begins with an overview of the practices described within as well as advice on adjusting them to your specific needs. The authors give clear illustrations and simple instructions for each pose, pranayama and meditation, then provide a large number of recommended sequences for different times of the day, different activities and different mental and physical ailments. The lay-flat format makes it easy to refer to during practice, and the inspiring quotes that begin each chapter help underscore the practice's spiritual qualities for those who haven't yet immersed themselves in yoga philosophy. Few, if any, other yoga manuals offer such a wealth of information within their covers.

i really like this book. i have many yoga books, videos and decks and this is amongst the best. as an instructor i find the descriptions and visuals very helpful. i like the sequences that are written out. it's just a good book to have. this is a book i'd feel totally comfortable referring to my students for their home practice.

This is the GREATEST yoga book!!! I wouldn't buy another. I'm a beginner and the illustrations (TONS!) are amazing. The book also gives you explanations on all positions and groups the exercises for the area that you want to focus on. The sessions range from 20 minutes to 1 1/2 hours!!!! EXCELLENT BUY!

I received this book today, and was already inspired to try one of the recommended routines. Essential Yoga aims to be an interactive guide to Hatha yoga. As such, it consists of detailed instructions on over a hundred yoga poses, with sections on breathing and meditation as well. My favorite parts of the book are the recommended routines, which are either sequences geared towards specific activities: yoga for golfers, for knee pain, for runners, etc; or for times of day; or sequences for routine practice. I think this is a book which will grow with you as you increase in your knowledge and ability in yoga. It's practical as well. The lay-flat spine does indeed lay flat, the line drawings are informative and clear, and the layout of the book is intuitive and motivating. Highly recommended.

I tried a lot of other yoga books but this one seems the most informative and flexible... The many routines presented in the back of the book are varied and easy to follow, duration anywhere from 20min to 2 hours, thumbnail pictures means no flipping once you do the routine the whole way through. "Lie flat spine" actually does lie flat, to my suprise. Directions are clear and concise. It's no substitute for a teacher, but it makes my home practice MUCH easier and helps give me direction. And there's room for me to grow. I think someone else mentioned the yellow headers didn't contrast very well, the brown text doesn't contrast well in dim light, but that's all there is to complain about. Seriously, an excellent book.