A Yoga of Indian Classical Dance  The Yoginis Mirror
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A Yoga of Indian Classical Dance  The Yogini's Mirror
By Roxanne Kamayani Gupta, Ph. D.
This book is a major work, documenting exquisitely a Western view of the Hindu traditions of Yoga and Classical Dance and their amazing and visceral connections. Rarely has the blend of beauty, knowledge and insight been so unified to teach and inspire. The pictures and the text in the final chapter, The Yoga of the Elements are worth the price of admission alone.
The Library Journal, in its splendid review of this work, suggested that it belongs in every college campus library under many and various headings. I couldn't agree more.
The book sings with the energy and the authenticity of the author's passion for knowledge and her practice and experience of it.
My hat is off! Bravo.
Ed Gans, Gh.a.
2702329
[ASIN:1590307054 Yoga for a World Out of Balance: Teachings on Ethics and Social Action]Yoga is usually conceived as an important instrument to achieve a personal transformation. Unfortunately, because of the emphasis to present yoga as a practice that goes beyond simple physical exercises (Asanas), the fact that yoga has also an important social dimension is very often ignored. The book by Michael Stone properly addresses this issue and insists that in ecology, like in yoga, we recognize that everything is interconnected and interrelated. Therefore, there is a strong correspondence between achieving a personal transformation and transforming our society.  Such a claim is also strongly emphasized by the organizers of the coming UN 2015 Paris Climate Conference, who insist that actions should address both the international and national levels simultaneously.

In the vast literature on yoga subjects, there are very few books that address the social dimension of yoga. The author finds a strong support to his ideas from the Bhagavad-Gita and from Patanjalis Sutras. He sees that yoga and modern ecology form a symbiotic unity and concludes that both approaches are deeply concerned with action and the effects of those actions. We are taught in the Bhagavad-Gita that not taking action in times of crisis is a form of violence. The late yogi master, B. K. S. Iyengar, who wrote a foreword for this book,  affirms: The eight aspects (astanga) of yoga comprise a subjective art, science, and philosophy that covers the five layers of the human being; the anatomical, physiological, mental, intellectual, and spiritual bodies [the Koshas]. They also balance the ecosystem and environment of the elements. This Earth belongs to all of us. We are all one family here.

Through the book, the author eloquently highlights the idea that although the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali was written 18 centuries ago, its message is highly relevant to confront the imbalances of modern life. Yoga for a World out of Balance is full of insights and is more focused on environmental issues than his previous book, The Inner Tradition of Yoga (2008), which was a rather general guide. The 13 chapters of the new book form an interesting sequence. The first four chapters have a broad introduction to the ethical components of the Yoga Sutras. They are followed by the central five chapters, which are devoted to present the guiding principles about our relations to others (called Yamas): non-harming (Ahimsa), honesty (Satya), no stealing (Asteya), the wise control of our appetites (Brahmacharya), and greedlessness (Aparigraha). It is here that Stone provides an incisive discussion of the Yamas, making well documented references to our socio-economic and environmental problems. A penultimate chapter has the attractive title Samadhi in Community, where he develops the idea that Samadhi is a deep awakening to the interconnected nature of reality. The book has a self explanatory subtitle, Teachings on Ethics and Social Action.

The entire book is written to present yoga as an educational secular set of principles and guidance tools and insists that yoga is not a religion. He also advances the idea that yoga did not come from India or Bengal, its always been here, echoing the more current view that yoga was discovered in India, as well as in other parts of the world. Aldous Huxley had already mentioned that yoga was part of what he called the perennial philosophy.

Michael Stone is a Canadian psychotherapist and teaches Buddhism and yoga. He is the founder and director of the Centre of Gravity Sangha in Toronto, a community of Buddhist practitioners and teachers who are dedicated to integrating a committed formal yoga practice and the demands of modern urban life.
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Recently I read 21st Century Yoga: Culture, Politics, & Practice edited by Carol Horton Ph. D and Roseann Harvey, a thought provoking collection of essays by different authors discussing the state of yoga in North America. Shortly after I read it, Carol Horton, both social scientist and yoga practitioner, released a book she had written further diving into the same topic, historically and from her own perspective.

The book is Yoga Ph. D.: Integrating the Life of the Mind and the Wisdom of the Body. There is a strong start on page four with this statement::

"Yoga is a product of a particular place and time, constantly changing to fit cultural contexts. Yoga is a timeless method to escape the conditioning of history, a technology for accessing the alternative state of consciousnesses that are our birthright as human beings."

I have witnessed this myself in my own personal journey on the mat, how yoga has changed from classes that had to be sought out to an industry with studios in every town.

She poses the questions "is Yoga really 5000 years old?" and should we as modern yogis really care? Neither were answered in a concrete way, rather it's left open to the reader to decide what is important. Personally, I like the idea of being part of practice that has possibly spanned thousands of years. I don't imagine that the way I conduct myself is the same as the ancient yogis, but rather like all things worth keeping, it has evolved to suit me where I am in time.

Yoga being largely body based in today's culture was addressed. Horton talks about going beyond that and getting into Handstand Psychotherapy, or getting into the emotional exploration of the posture practice and creating release of old ways and changing our thought process. I think this is something all yogis go through at some point. That "ah ha" moment, when you realize your mind is what is stopping you from getting into a posture and then suddenly you can do it. For me it was bakasana. For ten years I could not do it. Then I got divorced and up I flew. I dumped the emotional baggage holding me down and got into a healthy relationship with myself, and my now husband. I rewrote my script, as Horton suggests.

After Handstand Psychotherapy, the book naturally unfolds in the discussion of the spirituality of yoga. Or as Horton aptly calls it, the "s" word; as the "word is culturally booby trapped". In the beginning of my practice, calling yoga spiritual felt awkward. I didn't want people to think I joined a cult or religion. What she discusses and I discovered, is that once I was able to get through my emotional mine field, I  understood how my actions not only affect me but those around me. That yoga changed how I wanted to live day to day for myself and everyone. That is the spiritual experience of yoga.

From there, Horton addresses the need to balance the pure physical practice with the actual science of yoga that integrates the mind, body, and spirit. To begin to use "critical thinking" to examine what is presented, shedding the old ideas that no longer serve us, and groom new, productive ideas. How to live in awareness and how to make smart, intuitive choices.

Once of the ways she talks about is developing a home yoga practice. Studios are businesses that want you to come through the doors. I, as a teacher, want to see you on a mat in front of me. But, from my own experience, I agree that it is critical to unroll your mat at home. Sit quietly. Start to move. Feel your body and listen to the cues it gives you. Explore. Developing a home practice, as emphasized by Horton, will make your studio practice better, your life better, the world better.

This has been less review and more reflection on Carol Horton's book Yoga Ph. D., how it expressed many of the same viewpoints I have. It shares history and stories of yoga being born in America. Its not a how to, but more a why - a why we should explore this perhaps ancient practice for ourselves. A very worthy read, indeed.
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I got this workout recently because I was intrigued by the idea of yoga practice for each season.  I enjoyed it, but think that it is really important for the user to not go beyond their current level of flexibility.  There are no modifications given, so one has to do their own.  The music & photography are lovely.
2135356
This is a wonderful yoga video and it provides a complete mind, body and spirit workout.  Naader Shagagi is a peaceful guide who not only helps you place your body in the right position but gives you insight to give your  mind a workout as well.  This is an intermediate level "class"  and it provides an outstanding workout of the entire body from head to toe.  I've only seen a few yoga videos but this is by far the best I have  encountered.
2808974
Great. Fantastic. Visual and Lovely Experience of Yoga with this DVD. Sound, image and teachers wonderful. Relaxing and very well experienced
506470
This is a good all around yoga CD based around the postures common in Bikram Yoga. I got this DVD to go beyond the 26 classic Bikram Yoga postures and to have yoga workout when I cannot do Bikram Yoga at my local studio. I will probably be getting the other Yoga Challenge DVDs in the near future.
1692513
An updated version of the former "The Teachings of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu" (from "The Mirror" magazine, based on lectures from 1993-7) re-ordered, edited, & end-noted, it briefly describes Yogacharya; Shine, Sutra vs. Tantra, modern vs. ancient Bon, Yantra Yoga, bodhichitta, Mahamudra etc.  Per many other Tibetan works, it's a union of legend/myth & reality/practicality--traditional hagiography, metaphors, & assumptions are mixed with high teachings, practices, & views.  One needs discriminating wisdom IMHO to separate wheat from chaff.  Per Blanchard's "Situational Leadership" there are task skills (specific to a situation or, in this case, culture) & transportable skills (archetypal truths that cut across situations/cultures).  IMHO one needs to detach from the former to pursue the latter.  However, despite traditional biases, Norbu R. provides extensive wisdom & courageous insight: p. 86: "The various Tantric deities are personified forms of different functions of our own energy, pp. 89-90: "A serious teacher of Dzogchen must understand the experience of a particular student, & then be able to suggest practices according to the way in which that individual is developing, not just give practices according to a set formula regardless of the character, capacity, & progress of each student...When you enter the practice & become a good practitioner, the teacher is found within you," & that Tantra did not come from the physical (Nirmanakaya) Gautama Buddha but from his Samboghakaya.  Overall, there are good teachings in this short book, but it is debatable if it's worth the price for a new copy.  It's not IMHO up to the level of Norbu R.'s 9 other works I've read, esp. "The Cycle of Day and Night, "The Mirror, & "Supreme Source."
3464676
The not too obvious significance of why one should practice this highest yoga Kalacakra sadhana or visualisation (which is considered the most esoteric of the Buddha's teaching-systems) from the true Bodhisattva point of view is conveyed in this important book. The opening part explains, with deep understanding, the importance of the cosmic Law of rita (Cosmic Order or Divine Law in the form of primordial sounds) from which emanate all laws of nature and manifestation for our world-system. From this most ancient divinely-inspired Vedic tradition of Yajna or transformation using sound, which is fundamentally claused on rita, the original scheme from which all things proceed--all knowledge, sciences, arts, etc. The study next explores the Buddha's Kalacakra-tantra connection with the realm of Shambhala and the transfer of responsibility from the Vedic pronunciation of sound to that of visualisation using thought by the agency of the Kalacakra sadhaka (practitioner). In the third part of this study, relevance is given to the "New Teachings"--the method of visualisation through Deity Yoga, wherein the sadhaka becomes a co-worker with nature. The modern-day practitioner again performs the yajna-process of "sacrifice" as in ancient times: microcosmically generating the macrocosmic transformative processes. An extremely important appendix is accompanied with never before explained diagrams of the Deities (Powers, Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Protectors, Offering Goddesses) (with Sanskrit terms and translated annotations) of the citta or mind mandala, which is the central-most circle of the Kalacakra-tantra mandala. 64 pp. Published 1996. ISBN 0-9651315-1-3. US $12.95
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I love the music on this CD, so I definitely think of it as a worthwhile buy.  However, the workout itself is a complement to a regular yoga practice.  It doesn't have at all the same feel you would get by going to a yoga class - it's more like Shiva uses yoga principles to put you in a place where you can trance dance.  Personally, I enjoy the structure of traditional yoga, so this workout may not be for me.  That said, I really, really love the music, and it's great that she includes a CD with just the music.  I plan to do my own home yoga practice using that.
425087
This is really a great thing for anyone who likes to practice yoga.  Wish someone would get one for me!  (I gave it as a gift.)
2130936
Yoga helps us build the mind body connection and it nice to see this Zen garden goddess share her practice. I think this video is well done for what it offers with out being low grade porn.
  I gave this 4 out of 5 stars because the boardwalk is too small of a location for a video like this. I can understand that if your are really practicing alone this my be an ideal spot to practice in the nude. As for video filming it is not. I would have loved to follow along with this model and have seen some more wide shots of her as she practices. Part of yoga is getting your body art right through the use of poses and this model does her poses well. It is really wonderful to see this model in her poses. She shows us that she is not just another fly by night out to make a quick buck by taking her clothes off for yet another nude video. Thank you all who made it and keep them coming.
262088
This vinyasa flow yoga cd is full of different stands, movements, and breathing exercises that incorporates all levels of yoga for beginners to more advanced users. It ends with many relaxing stretches and finally the corpse pose. All in all, an excellent yoga cd that I am glad that I have in my collection.
726705
I wanted a DVD or audio version of bikram...which is impossible to find.  This however, has almost all 26 postures, and includes some sun salutations as well.  Each pose is only performed once and not twice in a row, so that is the biggest difference.  However, I am using this workout in addition to my gym classes such as chisel and dance, so this is great for flexibility and people who love bikram and the consistency of the poses.  You can heat up a small room with an electric heater to help achieve the bikram affects.  I'm happy with this DVD.
705514
Michigan author Meera Patricia Kerr studied yoga in the early 1970s under Sri Swami Satchidananda and has been a yoga instructor for over thirty years. Meera directs her book to those who are overweight, those who might believe they must loose weight before attempting the positions of yoga practice.

The book is well designed, filled with photographs of the various positions that are part of yoga, proving that even extra large people can indeed learn and practice yoga to reduce stress, find calm, tranquility and say goodbye to tension.

This book fills a vacuum that has existed and is a fine manual for beginners  especially those who have been avoiding exercise and meditation because of excess weight. Grady Harp, November 15
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Paricia's tape will serve as a guide for those new to Hatha Yoga as taught in the Iyengar tradition.  It is a video that teaches you to do the Yoga asanas (poses) correctly, keeping your body aligned properly.  It encourages you to reclaim your vitality by correcting postural imperfections brought on by wrong living (computers, television and hours of sitting behind the wheel of  automobiles).  If you follow Patricia's guidance you will not only learn to do the poses correctly but will become more strong and flexible and begin to feel more energetic.  The title, Living Yoga:  P.M. Yoga for Beginners, is really the key to this video.  It is an invitation to make room in your daily life for nurturing the body in a kind and loving way through Hatha Yoga. That inclusion in your life of this ancient self healing art is 'Living Yoga'.  This video is for those that want to be actively involved in improving their mobility, becoming stronger and more forcused.  It asks you to be a partner in your own development.  Those new to Yoga will obtain the most from this video if they do the video in sections, mastering the first part before going on to the next.  Betty Lewis, Director, Yoga With Betty And Friends (YWBF), Baltimore, Md.
3482489
The author is the creator of Forrest Yoga. It's a fusion of traditional yoga & new poses & sequences, which she has created.  She also adds many spiritual practices to these exercises.  This book contains much of her own life's journey & the hard road she took to arrive at this point in her life.  Some of the book, I just skimmed over.  Some I studied & even photocopied, so I can more easily practice her yoga poses.  If one comes to this book with an open mind, I think everyone will find something in it for themselves.