The founders of Jivamukti Yoga outline the fundamental principles of the assist, and how to apply them in practice and service to others. The benefits of both giving and receiving an assist—the extraordinary mind/body/spirit connection between yoga teacher and student—depend on knowing what an assist is, and fully understanding the method of Jivamukti itself. Though “corrections”—with teachers who fixed students’ mistakes—had evolved to “adjustments,” the world-renowned founders of the Jivamukti Yoga method recognized this still suggested that changes to one’s technique were necessary. In this book, they use “assist” to communicate the idea of two beings interacting on various levels of consciousness to bring into focus the five central tenets of Jivamukti: Shastra (or scripture), devotion, nonviolence, music, and meditation. From cultivating trust and patience to final relaxation and massage, this step-by-step, fully illustrated guide—featuring dozens of asanas—explores the giving of yoga as an art, a flowing dance of body, breath, and energy between two connected beings. Whether we receive or give, an assist is an active process in the resolution of a relationship between teacher and student, a microcosm of the flowing interrelation among all people, and all species.

The quintessential guide to yoga assisting and hands-on teaching, Yoga Adjustments introduces the art and practice of providing yoga assists to yoga students. Addressing one of the most important topics in the yoga field, expert yoga instructor and best-selling author Mark Stephens covers the philosophy of yoga practice, the sensibilities of touch in teaching yoga and improving alignment, the seven principles of hands-on yoga teaching, and the twenty-five most effective methods of tactile cueing. An invaluable resource for all yoga teachers, teacher trainers, and serious yoga students, this book includes a foreword by yoga star Shiva Rea as well as over 850 unique instructional photos and explanatory captions demonstrating precise ways of guiding a variety of flowing sequences. Opening with an in-depth discussion of the philosophy of yoga assisting, Part I--Foundations describes the methods and techniques of giving yoga assistance, with detailed discussions of all of the elements of yoga assisting including communicating with students, qualities of touch, the five basic steps of providing hands-on cues, hands-on positioning and stance. Part II--Applications demonstrates how to assist students in each of over 100 postures in the seven families of asanas (poses). Each chapter begins with background on an asana family and close consideration of its foundation asana. Each asana is presented in a two-page spread with photos that show how to give students effective guidance and support. Part III--Evolution offers thoughts on the further development of yoga in the twenty-first century.

A wide-ranging analysis of the Mokṣopāya, the Indian literary classic that teaches through storytelling how to enjoy an active, successful, worldly life in a spiritually enlightened way. In the Mokṣopāya (also known as the Yogavāsiṣṭha), an eleventh-century Sanskrit poetic text, the great Vedic philosopher Vasiṣṭha counsels his young protégé Lord Rāma about the ways of the world through sixty-four stories designed to bring Rāma from ignorance to wisdom. Much beloved, this work reflects the philosophy of Kashmir Śaivism. Precisely because all worldly pursuits are dreamlike and fiction-like, the human soul must first come to an experience of non-dualistic, mind-only metaphysics, and after attaining this wisdom, promote moral activism. Engaged Emancipation is a wide-ranging consideration of this work and the philosophical and spiritual questions it addresses by philosophers, Sanskritists, and scholars of religion, literature, and science. Contributors allow readers to walk with Rāma as his melancholy and angst transform into connectivity, peace, and spiritual equipoise. Christopher Key Chapple is Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology at Loyola Marymount University. He is the author or editor of many books, including Yoga and the Luminous: Patañjali’s Spiritual Path to Freedom and Reconciling Yogas: Haribhadra’s Collection of Views on Yoga, both also published by SUNY Press. Arindam Chakrabarti is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. His books include Mahābhārata Now: Narration, Aesthetics, Ethics (coedited with Sibaji Bandyopadhyay).

On the surface it may appear that yoga is yoga is yoga, but take a closer look and you’ll discover myriad different yoga systems and lineages. There are dozens of yoga styles to choose from, and while yoga is for everyone, not every style is the perfect fit for every person. But how do you choose between mysterious-sounding names such as Ashtanga, Kundalini, Bikram, and Kripalu? As Meagan McCrary discovered when she began exploring different classes, finding the right style is essential for establishing a steady yoga practice. Pick Your Yoga Practice is the first book to describe the most prominent yoga styles in depth, including teaching methodology, elements of practice, philosophical and spiritual underpinnings, class structure, physical exertion, and personal attention. Those new to yoga will discover they have options and can confidently attend a class of their choosing, while experienced practitioners will expand their understanding of the vast world of modern yoga, and perhaps find themselves venturing into new territory.

This is a full-color yoga book like no other on the market. Meta Hirschl opens the door to the full vision of yoga with graphics, photographs, and personal stories. Interwoven with discussions about the eight limbs of yoga as presented in the original literature, including the core principles, Sanskrit Devanagari, mantras, poses, breath work, mediation, a derivation of terms, compassionate communication guidelines, basic teaching principles, wisdom and photos of the great sages, recipes, and illuminating accounts by contemporary yogis. Throughout, readers are guided to connect with their inner selves, transcend fear, emotional turmoil, and attachment to the stresses of life. This informative reference features a highly visual format, including a first-ever historical timeline of yogic philosophies, texts, and key figures. Introduced too is yoga therapy for everything from low back or knee pain to depression. Each chapter concludes with specific invitations to delve further into the heart of yoga. It is designed to enrich any chosen style of practice, and this book is ideal not only for yoga students and aspiring yoga teachers, but also for healing arts practitioners and their patients, as well as anyone seeking to cultivate a vibrantly healthy body, mind, and spirit.

The Complete Guide series is designed for the fitness professional, coach and student, packed with ready-made training programmes, tips and strategies. A new edition of the definitive 'core stability' training handbook for fitness leaders and other fitness professionals and enthusiasts in an 'all you need to know' format. 'Core Stability' is a relatively new concept, concentrating on core abdominal muscle strength to improve posture, strength and performance. This book looks at what core stability is, the muscles that are involved, and the benefits to improving your core stability. Packed with exercises, it also deals with specific exercises for different sports, and covers the use of equipment - from medicine balls to core boards. This new edition includes colour photography, new exercises and training programmes tailored to different sports. Over 3865 copies of first edition sold since 2004.

YogaMass: Embodying Christ Consciousness bridges yogic principles and practices with Christian spirituality and worship as a path for bringing the whole self (body, mind, soul, and spirit) to the experience of spiritual awakening. The author, an ordained Episcopal priest, weaves together spiritual practices from different traditions with her own discovery that yogas ancient truths are complementary with Christian beliefs taking one deeper into the spiritual life in ways that people of diverse faiths can embrace. Blending yogic practices with Christian spirituality and worship, the Reverend Gena Davis has co-created an exciting and powerful new practice of spiritual ritual and celebration called YogaMass that leads to embodying Christ Consciousness. On and off the yoga mat, this book points the way to discovering a whole-self spiritual experience and connecting with God through an awakened open mind and heart. I loved this book! The author, the Reverend Gena Davis, shares the story of her amazing spiritual journey that culminates in the creation of the worlds first YogaMass service. This alone would make the book well worth reading, but throughout, she integrates sacred writings, stories, and poems from spiritual masters of western and eastern spirituality, all the while never losing sight of her own Christian heritage. It is a remarkable accomplishment. You will be blessed by this book and want to share it with others. - The Reverend Dr. John K. Graham, president and CEO, Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center, Houston I am delighted and privileged to encourage those who seek to worship God with all that is within to pick up and digest this spiritual teaching presented by the Reverend Gena Davis. Gena has captured the importance of worshipping God with, as the Psalmist uttered, all that is within me. I am fascinated by the interplay of yoga and liturgy within these pages, and find myself wanting to go deeper into both. I think the Reverend Davis is on to something that has been lacking in our Christian path and tradition. The interweaving of her personal narrative and the spiritual insights she gained through the study and practice of yoga unveils how Gods truth makes itself known through many different paths. - The Reverend Dr. Richard Kleiman, retired Presbyterian pastor Yoga is an exploration based on experiential processes. It is defined by our own internal truth! Making Yoga universal but deeply personal is something Gena Davis expresses so beautifully. - Robert Boustany, Yoga instructor and master, and founder of Pralaya Yoga system

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Health And Consciousness Through Fasting And Cleansing Offers Numerous Techniques To Assist In Preventing Disease And Maintaining Vital Health And Longevity. These Techniques Also Promote Emotional And Mental Balance As Well As Spiritual Well-Being And Contentment. Through Regular Fasting And Cleansing, We Can Live A Balanced Life In Harmony With Nature And The Universe. Published By The Disciples Of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Affectionately Known As Mother, Or Amma The Hugging Saint.