Richard Hittleman's Yoga: 28 Day Exercise Plan

This is the best yoga book for beginners I have ever seen. It is written for anyone who wants to learn yoga at home without a teacher's instruction. In more than 600 photographs Hittleman teaches the asanas step by step. He starts with simple poses, explains and shows clearly how they can be achieved and builds up until you reach more advanced poses. At the end of each practice day, the author discusses subjects such as diet, breathing, meditation, weight control, etc. Although the exercises are equally useful to women and men, some of the discussions focus on women. With this book you can learn yoga at home. Once you have finished the well structured 28-day program, you can continue yoga for the rest of your life with the three practice sessions provided at the end of the book. I have been practicing yoga for years and have built up my own routine from the book. I have looked at other books, but I have never found a better one.

If you keep at this program there are amazing results! Youlearn alot very quickly. I never seem to get all the way through theprogram, however. You have to be dedicated and do the postures every single day... The only problems I have with the book are that there is not alot of emphasis on how to prevent injuries and exactly how to position yourself. I think some people who push themselves too hard could end up injuring themselves.All that aside, there is alot packed into this little book, and if followed carefully, the program has absolutely amazing results.This last bit has nothing to do with the book itself, but I include it because other reviewers wanted the information.Where is Richard Hittleman these days? Sadly, Mr. Hittleman died of prostate cancer in 1991. The Yoga Universal Organization/Church that he founded continues on, however... In conclusion, I would enthousiasticly (sic?) recommend this book to anyone wishing to get into Yoga. Instead of the slick overproduced nature many contemporary exercise books have, Richard Hittleman's Yoga has an earthy honesty that you rarely see these days. (quite characteristic of early seventies hippyish non-fiction books!)Good luck!

I discovered this book in the early 80's. I had just started working in NYC and was stressed-out to the max. I soon developed blinding headaches as a result of rigid neck muscles. Then Hittleman came to the rescue. Within 2 weeks of faithfully follwing the exercise plan, the headaches were gone, and as long as I do these exercises, they stay away!I have since tried other "brands" of hatha yoga, but I always come back to Hittleman. While other forms of yoga have flashier style (including Iyengar and "power" yoga) as well as celebrity endorsement, they always leave me worn out and frustrated. With the gentle Hittleman plan, I feel relaxed, stretched, and soothed.

This version is identical to Richard Hittleman's same-title paperback that's smaller is size. When I picked up this book at a used book store, I was jogging/running 4x per week, 3 miles each run. I had experienced a great relief of physical and emotional stress in the running, but I was interested in increasing my flexibility and grace. I did "my yoga" after running, and I was shocked to find, as I faithfully followed the program, how much tension had remained in my joints, muscles, etc., even after running. My mental, physical and emotional states all improved dramatically with this yoga program -- so much so that I thought I had found the fountain of youth, that I had discovered my true being. I did injure my knees with the "bow" -- the book's single inadequacy is its lack of precautionary advice and remedies for injuries. I have looked at other yoga books and this is by far the best in terms of succinct information, very good instruction, and a progressive program.

About a month ago, I found this book in our bookcase at home. My mom had bought it years ago, after her doctor recommended it to her. It is the old version with beautiful photographs. Just yesterday, I finished the program after following it for the past 28 days. I'm a dancer, and so am pretty flexible, but I was amazed to find that I've become more flexible, and that my back, with which I've had trouble in the past, has become stronger, more flexible, and does not bother me any longer (I used to go to bed almost every night with an ache in my lower back). This book is amazing. The instructions are clear, concise, and easy to follow, as they are accompanied by photographs illustrating each part of the asanas. Richard has created a Yoga system which enables anyone to incorporate yoga in their lives. Each day, new asanas are learned, and more advanced positions of previous ones are suggested, allowing anyone to progress at their own pace. Each day's practice is followed by the "Thoughts for the Day," which discuss different aspects of everyday life, such as eating, sleep, stress, etc... and how yoga and yoga philosophy can help one better their lifestyle. This book has trully changed my life and the way I see it. I have become more in touch with my body and my mind. This book is exceptional. I cannot thank Richard Hittleman enough. Since I've started the program, I've been researching yoga, and reading everything on it I can get my hands on. If any of you out there have any recommendations for books, videos, equipment, web sites, anything having to do with yoga, and advice, I would love to hear from you. Thanks-