A go to pocket guide for a basic Yin practice
931023
I bought this book to coincide with a yin yoga immersion/workshop hosted at my local yoga studio. I am 100% satisfied with its contents and explanations.

Paul Grilley does a great job explaining the basics of a yin yoga practice in this short work. He alludes to much larger works and medical studies for a more in-depth analysis, but he keeps it short and sweet in this book. If the reader wants to, they can research the references as well for a more in-depth understanding.

Grilley covers the basics of meridian theory (a guiding principle of yin yoga) and discusses other topics such as the connective tissues of the body, the effects of the yin asana on the body, breathing, and meditation. He also explains each asana and offers several variations for the most difficult poses. The sample routines are sequenced nicely and are a convenient way to start a home practice.

One thing that is not extensively covered in this book is the use of props for those with decreased mobility. It is a great to have an abundance of blankets, pads, bolsters, pillows, etc. to support the body in poses with long hold times. Some of the yin poses can be an intense experience as they are held for about 3 minutes. The extra props help to support the body and ease into the asana.

In my opinion, it is a good book for someone who is interested in yin yoga with little to no experience. However, it is also a good idea to go to a few yin yoga classes, if they are available in your area, to supplement Grilley's information. If they are not available, check out yinyoga[dot]com for demonstration videos.
2079425
Tarot for the New Aeon is a real find. It is easy to navigate and extremely well organized. As a beginner, I was able to do a reading for myself using the "Advisor" section of the book, and the section on "Learning the Tarot" helped me to deepen my understanding of symbols and how they speak to us in our everyday life. This handy book is definitely a keeper, and I'll be sure to keep it close and refer to it often.
3326439
I often practice chanting Weng Ar Hong. (It is one of the exercises in the Soul Mind Body Medicinebook.) It is an ancient Chinese mantra that is combined with visualizing vibrating red light in the head, white light in the Message Center (or heart chakra), then blue light in the lower abdomen. There is a body posture that further amplifies one's energy development. If one only were to spend 15 minutes a day on this singular practice, it would greatly enhance one's physical stamina and vitality.

There is another practice that creates circular movement of energy that is combined with the ancient Chinese, profound wisdom that connects one human being with the divine light of galaxies, universes, and stars. At the same time it connects with leaves, trees, rivers, mountains.

If the reader were only to practice those two exercises in Soul Mind Body Medicine, this book would be well worth buying. I highly recommend this book for its practical and simple ways to enhance health and spiritual development.

Sandra Sharpe
2952028
The complete Book of Shadows Tarot Kit is a two-deck Tarot kit that doubles as a beginner's introduction to basic neo-pagan ideology: Tarot Deck #1 "As Above", Tarot Deck #2 "So Below," and a companion book. However: THIS PARTICULAR PRODUCT CONTAINS THE "AS ABOVE" TAROT DECK AND THE COMPANION BOOK. IT DOES NOT CONTAIN "SO BELOW."

While the companion book contains in-debt information on BOTH decks, THIS kit only comes with deck #1 "As Above." There is an empty slot where "So Below" deck can fit. You must buy it separately.

I received the "So Below" deck (which is #2) as a gift from a friend before I bought the rest of the kit for myself. I LOVE "So Below"; it is wonderful just on its own as a daily reading deck and I highly recommend it even if you don't spring for the whole kit. This stand-alone deck comes with a small booklet with card interpretations, but the companion book that comes with the full kit goes into much more detail.

The "As Above" deck completes a true Tarot Toolkit. Where "So Below" talks more about daily actions, earthly passions, emotions, and practical warnings--illustrated with scenes from everyday life ["The Devil" card is one of my favorites, represented by a bowl of ice cream and "The Hermit" is taking a bubble bath surrounded by books]; the "As Above" deck is focused more on the spiritual aspect of your journey and the related energies, each card a page of the pagan story with major gods, goddesses, or concepts of magick represented on the card. The companion guide dedicates 1-2 full pages to mythology and basic neo-pagan ideology PER CARD. The cards are dense. I pull the representations of the God and Goddess (or perhaps someone else) to witness my altar instead of using statues, and multiple friends have commented on how dramatically I can change the energies present in a circle just from using the cards in the deck that way. You can also use your Aces as the four elements for an altar in a pinch.

If you purchase this kit, I HIGHLY recommend that you get both decks! Many people have a preference for one deck or the other for daily reading, but together they are a beautifully nuanced and complementary divinatory tool. The companion book includes a section on how to do readings that involve using both decks at the same time. There are new tools and ideas even for the veteran Tarot reader.
1152095
This book is a wonderful addition to your standard favorite tarot guide.  It gives you simple everyday practice that makes learning the tarot more enjoyable.  All of the enties are easy to comprehend and apply.  The best part of this book is that it can be used many times over.  You will always learn something new about the cards because they are not predetermined, you pick one or more to study.  Excellent read.
648464
I bought these to supplement my purchase of the White Rabbit Press Kana Flashcards. Like the flash cards I bought, this pocket-sized book has some great pictures to remember the Kana by. Unlike the flash cards, this actually fit in my pocket. Its an insanely helpful pocket guide for anyone studying reading and writing Japanese.
4351877
Gemstones and feng shui; the marriage between the two isn't as apparent as it should be. However, stones and their energies are a perfect companion to the ancient Chinese practice. Sandra Kynes' book, Gemstone Feng Shui, explores this complex and interesting relationship. I imagined a whole system of feng shui that used gemstones to counter and support the natural feng shui energies. While the book has a wealth of information on how to use crystals in conjunction with traditional feng shui practices it fell short of my initial impression. Instead the book describes how to use the stones with alongside current feng shui practices.

The book has two parts. The first part introduces crystals, healing properties, feng shui basics and tools. It then goes into limited exploration of how to use gemstones in combination with feng shui. The book does a great job of introducing the basics of crystals. Ms. Kynes' gemstone-circle meditation is a great way to introduce new users of crystals and their energies to one another by placing them around a person. The book uses the 9 Square, or Lo Shu Grid to teach readers feng shui. The Lo Shu Grid divides a room up into squares instead of the more common practice of visualizing a room broken down into a circle with each direction representing a piece of the pie.

The second half of the book goes into the gemstones themselves. Over 100 pages are dedicated to explaining the history, lore, and energy properties of selected stones. This part of the book is worth its weight in gold. These tables and lists show readers new gemstone correspondences as they relate to the 5 traditional Chinese elements.

Gemstone Feng Shui falls short at teaching readers how to incorporate gemstones into daily feng shui practices. When it describes how to remove blocking or harmful energies it is done separately from gemstones. The two topics seem to have very little to do with each other. When they do interact, it is through descriptions of situations and their blocks and a few suggestions on how to counteract, harmonize or enhance aspects of this element. The book makes a series of statements rather than exploring the rationale behind how the stone's energies work to produce the desired feeling in a room. It quickly goes from element to element as well as showing how the colors of the stones or one's birthstone can also produce and affect feng shui energies.

Overall, this book is not for people new to crystal work or feng shui. Even with the introductory chapters on each topic, the book crams a large amount of study and history of both feng shui and crystals but doesn't do much to describe the marriage between the two. However, the time and energy spent on describing the stones and their energies make up for the lack of practical applications.
2803653
Easiery for those who have low light conditions or hard to read the standard ittty bitty dictionaries that are meant for pockets, this one is formatted much better with hanyu pinyin indexes.  This little pocket dictionary is portable eventho' it's thick at 2 inches but very easy to use when you are out in the workplace or in classes needed Chinese references, the index is very easy to use and to learn.  Use it for learning Chinese by studying 10 words a day.
1703039
Good, basic Feng Shui without the usual complexity. Solid, non-fussy suggestions
written in compact, well organized form. Great for the beginner.

Easy to read and implement.
3454583
The Good:
This pocket-sized book of wisdom goes with me everywhere.
This is my favorite translation of the Tao Te Ching.
I find myself giving it away to curious folks who like it and purchasing it again and again!
This book has helped me through rough times. Very useful for peace of mind. I flip through to a random page for inspiration.

The Bad:
Nothing.

Overall:
Lovely, travel-sized inspiration.
3062377
Awakening to the Lotus is a fantastic primer on the basics of Nichiren Buddhism. I have found the quick biography of Nichiren and the summary of the Lotus Sutra to be invaluable aids. While more thorough summaries of both the life of Nichiren and the Lotus sutra exist--what is presented here can be read in a quick sitting to refresh details that my mind might have dropped over time. For someone just beginning with Nichiren Buddhism, the topics are presented in clean and simple language that is easy to follow. Some sections of the book do deal with practices and theological outlooks that might differ from other Nichiren sects. But the majority of the book, I believe, is well balanced enough to help anyone understand the most primal elements of Nichiren Buddhism. This book is a favorite of mine, and I've come back to it again and again.
2594322
There are myriads of qigong styles that came from China. Some styles involve stretching, other gentle movements, and even using "sacred" sounds. To choose which style to practice can be overwhelming. This volume is a great introduction to many basic elements of qigong, helping the reader develop a decent foundation in the practice. The biggest strength in this book is the 6 month study program that one can undertake in order to really understand what qigong has to offer.
1431520
I found the book easy to read and understand, it gives very good information in a concise way and even if one ignores the elements of Feng Shui it is very simple to follow.
There are Feng Shui principles for 2014 from a practical standpoint because this book is more about applying Feng Shui enhancements according to the Flying Star map rather than going deeply in  the Feng Shui spirituality.

I read some others Feng Shui books and the problems is that some of the cures are hard to use and many of the recommendations are not an option for me because getting things "right" might require actual remodeling of my home like redesign my kitchen and bedroom and I just can't afford to follow such a rules.
This book is not like that.
Of course in some cases it suggests  for example re-positioning your bed or change your desk positioning but also includes alternatives for who, like me, have very limited allowances for altering their spaces.
In this book you will find some immediate and inexpensive suggestions that can help to to have a better year in 2014, like positioning special items(a colorful flower, fish aquarium, green plant etc) where they needed to be to improve good energy flow.

The sections are written well, and the book is very well organized.
You have accurate and comprehensive suggestions for the 2014 according to the Flying Star map and also some more month by month informations based on the changing position of the flying stars through the year.
You will find also a little compendium about Chinese Astrology.
But the chapter I liked the most is "Feng Shui plans for specific goals",
How to attract good energies through Feng Shui principles to realize different goals.
 I'm sure that If you look at the list you'll find your goal too and how to help it.
4966445
I have one other book and a few audio programs on chi kung - this is by no means the most beautiful book ever produced but it is written in a light and easy style that makes a wonderful introduction to this ancient practice.  It's not overly long so it doesn't overwhelm the reader.  The style if very conversational as he breaks down each form including the basis of the movements.

If you are familiar with the basic moves this is a great add-on to your practice.  For someone starting out, I wonder the wisdom of learning this from a book first.

The pictures are somewhat of a negative as they aren't great, and don't have any explanation.

All in all - a good book, especially for those more comfortable learning from the written word.
4062109
These Bonpo Dzogchen precepts are clear, detailed pith instructions most appropriate for those who have already received and are practicing the oral tradition - be it Bon, Buddhist or unaligned/radical. For someone else who has some experience of rigpa (awareness of basic reality) in a different tradition or just on their own these precepts could be of practical use since they are so clear and detailed, but the strong Tibetan flavor and context might require a little supplemental learning (best directly from a master and not just a book), although the supplemental annotations included here are very thorough. But regardless, the jewels of wisdom here will no doubt shine forth for those who are ripe and ready to receive them.

The book is organized into 6 chapters;
1) general introduction to the translation, by the translator p. 1-40
2) translation of the root text p. 41-70
3) transliterated version of the Tibetan root text p. 71-79
4) translation of the commentary p. 81-163
5) annotations to the commentary - introductory section p. 165-191
6) further annotations to the commentary - the individual little nails p. 193-290
Followed by a detailed bibliography (7 pages), and glossary (9 pages).

The root text, "The Twenty-One Little Nails", with commentary seems rather remarkable in its detail and clarity, and provides possibly the most detailed discussion of rigpa and the clearest 'pointing out instructions' I've ever seen in print - the Bonpo's really do excel at this kind of excellent material (which clearly differentiates between the mind and nature of mind, and presents the two aspects of dzogchen "practice", trekchod and thodgal, in a unified way, and so will be especially meaningless and even confusing for someone not already familiar with thodgal practice), and John Reynolds' translation of it all is very good. I don't read Tibetan, but it appears accurate if sometimes a bit clunky, which could easily also be an accurate rendering of the original Tibetan.... You can see from the length of the translation of the Tibetan texts (122 pages), combined with the lengthy annotated commentary by the translator, based on oral explanations by Yongdzin Rinpoche (125 pages), that there is a lot of meat here. Meat that can be chewed on in morsels, nail by nail, or in a complete meal of the translations alone, or savored with the helpful annotated commentary.

As mentioned at the start if you've already received some of these kinds of teachings there is plenty of support to your practice here, or if you have naturally arising insight then there is plenty of encouragement here as well. But without some grounding in the oral tradition many of these 'little nails' will probably sound like gobbledygook. If you are only interested in these as an intellectual or academic subject then it would be best to restrain your mere curiosity and let them pass. If you aren't really ready to put these teachings into practice it would be best to simply wrap the book in silk and place it respectfully on a high shelf.
686502
Wonderful resource for learning and reviewing single herbs. The pictures of the herbs, the pin yin and Chinese characters that accompany them are wonderful, too. However, the pictures in this book preceding the properties, indications and actions for each herb really make this an invaluable resource.
2555832
I typically like to write my own personal spells after getting used to the meanings of shapes, numbers, and symbols. Most of a spell's strength lies in the intent of whoever is casting it, so I appreciate this book as a guideline that branches off of this idea of intent. Some of these are certainly cutesy (like wearing a scarf for energy or speaking words of encouragement in the mirror), but the main idea of looking for that symbolism is a theme that shows up again and again, which I appreciate as a learning tool throughout.

Besides that I give this book points for size/portability (it's perfectly little for how much it packs inside) and choice of topics. If there's a single thing you need, it's probably in here: the popular categories of money, love, and luck have an overwhelming number of spells for every aspect of those things. Even obscure things that were personal to me were in here: overcoming fear of dental procedures, sale of a home and success of showings, and spells for dark winter days.

I really appreciate the thought put into this little book.