Product Description Yoga is thousands of years old, but because of its current popularity, some people wrongly dismiss it as just another exercise fad made fashionable by celebrities. In fact, as author Kathy Phillips demonstrates in this large, beautifully illustrated book, yoga is a gentle but powerful means of achieving strength, flexibility, serenity, and a healthy balance between body and mind. Originating on the Indian subcontinent at the dawn of civilization, yoga is now accepted worldwide as an effective way to deal with physical and emotional stress. The Spirit of Yoga is a sensible introduction for beginners, and a source of inspiration for current practitioners who would like to learn more. It explains differences among the various yoga disciplines, enabling readers to make a considered choice that best fits their needs. The author uses her experience as a yoga teacher to describe exercises and postures—also shown in color photos—that can promote physical health and body flexibility while inducing emotional tranquility. Yoga positions are suggested as effective remedies for physical ailments and for discomforts produced by everyday stress. The author's witty approach to her subject demystifies today's yoga hype while offering readers sound guidance and emphasizing the entirely real benefits they can derive from this honorable discipline. The book's foreword is by the international fashion model Christy Turlington. Hundreds of color photos and illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
As inspirational as it is beautiful...January 29, 2003 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I'm always a little suspicious when I see a book like this one, which, by all appearances, appears to be cashing in on the yoga-as-fitness-trend phenomenon. So I was when I received this book as a birthday gift. But Kathy Phillips has given us a thing of beauty in "The Spirit of Yoga." A long-time practitioner and teacher, Phillips questions this trend, while acknowledging her own contribution to it. After reading this qualification, I devoured every page. Phillips gives a rich, if brief, history and description of the various paths of yoga practice, as well as gorgeous visuals and instructions on the poses basic to many yoga styles. Chapters on breathing and meditation help to complete what are for many practitioners the fundmental physical aspects of yoga. I've only been practicing for two years, and I try to maintain a balanced approach to what I see as blatant attempts at unnecessary or useless materialism that doesn't seem true to the aims of yoga. This book is definitely indulgent eye-candy, but in the best way - clean, beautiful layout and design, excellent photography and visuals that are respectful of the tradition. I would recommend "The Spirit of Yoga" both to anyone curious about beginning a yoga practice, as well as to any seasoned practioner who can take the time to read past its obvious coffee-table function!
A great insight of Yoga history and its meaning.November 12, 2002 7 out of 8 found this review helpful
This is a beautiful book to look at, but the author uses lots of celebrity names and past gurus, which pronouncing their 15 letter names I found to be quite distracting. However, if you are looking for a book that gives the meaning and origin of the poses that are used in everyday yoga class this is for you. Overall, I found the book to be filled with answers when it comes to sorting out all the different types of yoga and helping me to decide which practice is for me.
A beautiful exploration of the Yoga traditionOctober 29, 2002 10 out of 11 found this review helpful
THE SPIRIT OF YOGA is truly a beautiful book. Part educational text, part testimonial by master practitioners, part collection of stunning and inspirational photography, this book has it all. I am a Yoga newcomer, and I found THE SPIRIT OF YOGA to be very helpful. It makes me wonder why I didn't find Yoga sooner.
