Inspiration

Watch

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.

Listen

How to pronounce Asanas in Sanskrit

Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series

Opening Chantย 

Ashtanga Yogaย 

Closing Chant

Ashtanga Yoga

Read

I hope these articles will inspire you and give you a bit of insight and nourishment.
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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 ๐Ÿ™‚ 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.โ€™

‘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.

www.rigpa.org


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.’