Inspiration
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INTRO TO STANDING SEQUENCE IN ASHTANGA YOGA
Introduction to standing sequence of Ashtanga yogaIf you are fairly new to the standing sequence of Ashtanga yoga, this video introduces you to the sequence with counts and breaths. Sometimes modifications are suggested.
LIFTING UP INTO URDHVA DHANURASANA
Mini tutorial if you have difficulty lifting your head off the floor in Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel). This is one option, maybe it works for you.
KURMASANA & SUPTA KURMASANA
A short video how to get into Kurmasana & Supta Kurmasana, which are part of the primary series in Ashtanga Yoga.
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How to pronounce Asanas in Sanskrit
Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series
Opening ChantΒ
Ashtanga YogaΒ
Closing Chant
Ashtanga Yoga
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I hope these articles will inspire you and give you a bit of insight and nourishment.
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Can’t meditate?
3 tips to help you meditate
Iβm sure you heard before meditation is supposed to be good for you, but you canβt think of anything worse than sitting still and quieting your mind.
Why is observation important?
Where does your mind go during a yoga class? Are you thinking of your next meal, coffee, or any tasks that you need to do after the class?
How to work with pain
It is human nature to avoid pain, to turn away or to suppress it. But sometimes, pain is unavoidable, so how can we deal with it? What is pain? What is suffering?
Books I like
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Ashtanga
THE POWER OF ASHTANGA I + II
Kino McGregor
fully illustrated asanas with technique explained’
ASHTANGA YOGA: THE PRACTICE MANUAL
by David Swenson
‘The old classic π primary series with shorter versions of the practice for busy days’
ASHTANGA YOGA
by John Scott
‘Primary series, theory of breathing and bandhas and jumps throughs and jump backs explained’
ASHTANGA YOGA ANUSTHANA
by Sharath Jois
‘Detailing of the Primary Series’ asanas, vinyasas, and dristis in addition to some therapeutic asanas for common ailments. Sharath also gives his thoughts on the philosophical underpinnings of the practice and some mantras.’
Asanas & pranayama
HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA
cience of hatha yoga (asanas, pranayama, shatkarma, mudra and bands)
‘The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a classic fifteenth-century Sanskrit manual on hatha yoga’
LIGHT ON YOGA
by B. K. S. Iyengar
‘Brief introduction to yoga philosophy followed by a detailed description of 200 postures. Some pranayama exercises, there are practice sequences in the back.’
LIGHT ON PRANAYAMA
by B.K.S. Iyengar
‘Comprehensive and instructive work. With 190 photos of Iyengar himself, the book highlights a progressive 200-week practice, highlighting the best techniques and the common errors in them.’
Yoga Sutras
FOUR CHAPTERS OF FREEDOM
Commentary on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Saraswati Satyananda
‘In-depth explanation and commentary.’
YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI
by Sri Swami Satchidananda
‘This is my favourite translation’
YOGA SUTRA-S OF PATANJALI
by TKV Desikachar
‘Short and to the point, very accessible and might be a good start reading the Sutras before diving into more complex translations, see above.’
Food for thoughts
YOGA DHARMA BY HAMISH HENDRY
Hamish: ‘For years I wanted a book I could slip into my pocket or bag while I was on a train to read and keep me inspired on those days when life was a bit mean.β
‘Move beyond the physical practice. You will find quotes from the main source books on yoga. Loving this book.’
LIGHT ON LIFE
Addressing the role that yoga postures and breathing techniques play inner search for wholeness, by B.K.S. Iyengar
‘This book is with me since the beginning, it’s divided into the Koshas, and I always pick it up for inspiration and finding answers.
BRINGING YOGA TO LIFE
Moving yoga practice beyond the mat and into everyday life, by Donna Farhi
‘One of my favourite, she has a lovely chapter about sloth and discipline :)’
THE DEEPEST ACCEPTANCE, RADICAL AWAKENING IN ORDINARY LIFE
by Jeff Foster
‘Not an easy read, but very insightful.’
PRACTISING THE POWER OF NOW, A GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT
by Eckhart Tolle
‘Very inspiring, looking for living in the now.’
THE MIRROR OF YOGA: AWAKENING THE INTELLIGENCE OF BODY AND MIND
by Richard B. Freeman
‘Richard Freeman is a man of many words, so it is not easy to read. But once you get into it, you can read it every year anew and find new angles and truths.’
Meditation & Mindfulness
MOVING INWARD, THE JOURNEY TO MEDITATION
step by step instructions how to meditate
‘If you are new to meditation this is a great book, starting with how to sit pain-free for longer time etc.’
LIFE WITH FULL ATTENTION, A PRACTICAL COURSE IN MINDFULNESS
by Maitreyabandhu
‘Putting mindfulness into action. Maitreyabandhu is a buddhist teacher at the Bethnal Green Buddhist centre, he also runs 8 weeks mindfulness courses.’
Chanting
HEALING MANTRAS
Using sound affirmations for personal power, creativity and healing
‘It works :)’
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AUTO- & BIOGRAPHY
FIERCE MEDICINE
by Ana T. Forrest
‘She is excentric but very straight forward and no bullshit. She offers a meditation about death in this book, which is very interesting to do.’
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI
Paramahansa Yogananda tells the inspiring chronicle of his life: the experiences of his remarkable childhood, encounters with many saints and sages during his youthful search throughout India for an illumined teacher, ten years of training in the hermitage of a revered yoga master, and the thirty years that he lived and taught in America.
‘If you are into yoga, this book is a must along your yogic journey.’
INSPIRING STORIES
WAY OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR
by Dan Millman
‘Very inspiring story, easy read. They made also a movie out of it with Nick Nolte :)’
AUTHOR WORTH CHECKING OUT
SOGYAL RINPOCHE
The tibetan book of living and dying, a spiritual classic of tibetan buddhism to the West.
MATTHIEU RICARD
Born in France in 1946, a Buddhist monk, author, translator, and photographer. He first visited India in 1967 where he met great spiritual masters from Tibet. After completing his Ph.D. degree in cell genetics in 1972, he moved to the Himalayan region where he has been living for the past 45 years.
‘A very inspiring and down to earth soul.’
JIDDU KRISHNAMURTI
Born in 1895 was a philosopher, speaker and writer.
‘Philosophical and very interesting to read. There are also a lot of interviews on the web.’
DIET & HEALTH
GUT, THE INSIDE STORY OF OUR BODY’S MOST UNDER-RATED ORGAN
by Gulia Enders
‘Very accessible to read, and very interesting and clarifying.’
MINDFUL EATING BY JAN CHOZEN BAYS MD
Tune into your body’s own wisdom about what, when, and how much to eat; eat less while feeling fully satisfied; identify your habits and patterns with food; develop a more compassionate attitude toward your struggles with eating; discover what you’re really hungry for.
‘If you struggle finding a healthy relationship with food this book might be helpful.’
For Women
YONI SHAKTI BY UMA DINSMORE-TULI
A Woman’s Guide to Power and Freedom Through Yoga and Tantra.
‘Over 600 pages, you will find very interesting aspects about feminine power.’
JOURNALING
DAILY GREATNESS YOGA JOURNAL, YOUR MASTERPLAN FOR A BEAUTIFULLY CONSCIOUS LIFE
by Lyndelle Palmer Clarke
‘Keeping a journal about your yoga practice might help you overcoming obstacles. This book covers 365 days, you can start at any time.’
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