Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Having studied for more than three decades with renowned yoga master T. Krishnamacharya, and taught for more than two decades, Ramaswami attempts to offer a more complete picture of the practices developed ages ago to heal the body, train the mind and cultivate inner peace. He calls much of Western yoga practice "blatantly aggressive" and altered to appeal to Western tastes, omitting such essential aspects as yoga philosophy, breathing techniques, correct sequencing, chanting and meditation. In his descriptions of more than 900 poses and variations, he guides students on ways to integrate these aspects. While Ramaswami says his book can be used by students of every level (the sequences are rated according to difficulty), some may feel intimidated by the photographs, which show highly advanced yogis in many positions that are rarely taught in the average group class. The author's approach is somewhat didactic, emphasizing the "correct" way to do the poses, without acknowledging differences in body type and structure. The book's format makes it more of a practice manual, and most likely readers without much background will need to read Ramaswami's Yoga for the Three Stages of Life to put the instruction into a larger context. Agent, Bob Silverstein. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Credited with developing modern yoga, the legendary guru Sri T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) also influenced such well-known yoga teachers as B.K.S. Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois. According to Ramaswami (Yoga for the Three Stages of Life), who studied with Krishnamacharya for 33 years, these disciples omitted important ingredients of his master's teaching and developed "blatantly aggressive" yoga styles. Now for the first time, Kirshnamacharya's complete Vinyasakrama system is presented in what the author claims to be the most comprehensive and detailed representation of the yogi's teachings. Starting with "On Your Feet Asanas" and ending with "The Winding-Down Procedure," the book is divided into vinyasa sequences; more than 900 poses and variations are clearly illustrated with helpful, if sometimes intimidating, photos, starred for level of difficulty. With each pose, Ramaswami explains the proper breathing technique to help the practitioner become steady and release internally. Ramaswami believes the study and contemplation of texts, like the Yoga Sutras, is the next step in the yogi's spiritual practice. Including a 90-minute audio CD of mantras and chants (not heard by this reviewer), this is recommended for serious students who want a unique and no-frills system of learning yoga.-Dede Archer, Naples, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
