Hatha Yoga for Teachers and Practitioners: A Comprehensive Guide

Un libro bonito y muy bien escrito pero pesa muchísimo lo que lo hace algo pesado a la hora de llevarlo. Calidad-precio es excepcional: las páginas son "glassy" y el contenido es fácil de leer, entender, interiorizar y llevar a la práctica. Sencillamente, es de los mejores libros que he encontrado: la introducción y las explicaciones son básicas y técnicas, sin llegar a usar palabras muy técnicas del Yoga e Hinduismo, el contenido permite entender las secuencias y llevarlas a cabo con variaciones descritas. No le pongo 5 estrellas porque me parece que el espacio del libro está mal aprovechado, teniendo letra pequeña en muchas páginas casi vacías. Además, también me esperaba algo más de texto y menos fotos de asanas... Aún así, es un libro muy completo.

First, the not so good: Author Ram Jain says he provides scientific proof of yoga’s health benefits, but the sources he cites (only sixteen in all) are insufficient for a decent scientific discussion. I’m not saying his claims are wrong. In fact, they sound like he has done his homework. But as long as he does not offer peer-reviewed sources, you have to take his word for it, and for me that’s not enough.With that out of the way, there’s much to love about the volume. The black and white photos of the asanas, taken of Kalyani Hauswirth-Jain, are large and beautiful. The instructions are clear, and so are the counter-indications.What especially appeals to me is the coherent logic the book applies to asana sequencing. It starts with the premise that to be most beneficial, a hatha yoga sequence should be composed of 10 to 20 minutes of warm-up (e.g. through sun salutations), followed by asanas that target the seven chakras from the head down. Then it lays out one sequence of warm-up plus 17 primary asanas, which is based on the teachings of Swami Sivananda. Each of these asanas targets a particular chakra.Next it provides numerous variations for each primary asana. By variation I do not mean an adaptation for people who have e.g. knee problems (and I should mention that the author is addressing readers who are, overall, in good physical health). Instead what is offered are alternative asanas that target the same chakra. Some are suitable for the beginner. Others are aspirational and demand a good deal of practice.Using the principle of overload and progression, which says that your body will adapt to a slightly uncomfortable amount of stress with increased strength and flexibility, Ram Jain asks that once an asana no longer challenges you, you replace it with a more complex alternative, thereby maintaining optimal load as you grow in your practice.Remain in each asana for as long as it takes to acquire a comfortable steadiness. E.g. with respect to sarvangasana/shoulder stand, the book recommends 30-60 seconds for beginners, 1-3 minutes for intermediate and 3-6 minutes for advanced practitioners. So for those who are looking for flowing vinyasa sequences, this volume may not be the right fit.Are chakras a real thing? I know little of ayurveda or Indian ways of conceptualizing the human body. So I don’t know. Nonetheless I enjoy the book. What matters to me is the care, knowledge and aesthetic that went into putting this volume together. Both Ram Jain and Kalyani Hauswirth-Jain have convinced me of their expertise, leaving me happy to accept their guidance.

Covers alot

Content looks great, but the book looks used and second hand.

I thought this book was great when I bought it a year ago. It inspired me with regards to Hatha sequencing and variations on postures as well as different postures for specific chakras. A year later and a certified yoga teacher, the book has added value, with a philosophical reminder of the purpose of an asana. It's easy to get lost in vinyasa yoga and meeting expectations of your students, such as a work out and striving to achieve certain postures but this book used as a reference brings you back to original Hatha yoga. A gem.