The American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual Fully Revised and Updated

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This book achieves what it sets out to do...introducing the beginner to yoga. It will slowly ease you into the practice of yoga. However, as many have noted, the author also offers new age advice which many will find "weird" at best. Her new age/self-help philosophies might offend the common sensibilities and/or religious beliefs of some. I ignore this stuff and stick to the lessons and that has worked very well for me. If you think this stuff might bother you, tear out the preface & the chapter about philosophies for life, then ignore the tidbits dispersed throughout the rest of the text & lessons plans (fairly easy to do). I've detailed out below the basic format of the book as well as areas where you'll be confronted with her worldview, as I know this may be a concern to some (Christians, in particular) who are considering yoga for exercise.The lessons are divided into three courses. Within those courses you will find the weekly curriculum. Course One offers 10 weeks worth of curriculum with a maintenance routine, a fatigue-reducing routine and a menstrual cycle routine. At the end of the 10 weeks, you then move on to Course Two. Course Two has 10 more routines. As with Course One, you practice one each week for 10 weeks. Course Two also has a short routine for busy days and another maintenance routine. Course Three is divided like so:Weeks 1 & 2: Emotional Stability Routine, Version IWeeks 3 & 4: Emotional Stability Routine, Version IIWeeks 5 & 6: Full Emotional Stability RoutineWeek 7: Full Emotional Stability Routine, focusing on specific spots (she recommends "talking to your body". I simply focus on "trouble spots" and try to be reflective).Week 8: Experiment doing routines at different speedsWeek 9: Vary your alternate routine to include many asans you haven't practiced in awhile. Experiment with creating routines for yourself.Week 10: She recommends the body talk exercise again. Whatever. I try to focus in on more difficult routines or areas of my body which need more work. She also offers a routine for practicing holding positions, which is not to be repeated two days in a row.Course Three is where I felt she tried to push her philosophies a little more than some might be comfortable with. This involves talking to your body, which I found to be harmless, but absolutely absurd. If you do not subscribe to new age philosophies, you'll also want to avoid the "Philosophies for Life" chapter at the end of the book entirely as it filled with new age/adapted eastern philosophy. She may deny that yoga is a religion, but this section is the philosophy of a worldview that many would consider religious, if not at the very least in conflict with their own religious beliefs. It is definitely not for everyone - things like karma and reincarnation are addressed as truth. The author's beliefs are not amenable to those found in other religions (Christianity, Islam) and may be offensive to Christians, Muslims and others. I am a Christian (Catholic) and have no trouble ignoring her new age ramblings and self-help philosophies. Her beliefs will probably sound like self help/new age mumbo jumbo to those who consider themselves atheist or agnostic. White lights, ethical guidlines (which seem very much like a religious creed of sorts), etc.However, it is easy enough to ignore it and adapt it to your own purposes while increasing your difficulty level and introducing yourself to some new challenges. After course three you should be able to create your own routines and will be ready to move on to bigger and better things. This book is a good start to yoga for exercise. I could have done without all of the new age philosophizing and personal ramblings of the author, which I tried to ignore as much as possible. Yet, I wish none of it were there and she had simply stuck to yoga. I realize that yoga is more than exercise to her. The book is still a good starting place if you consider yoga as exercise alone and do not want to take up a new worldview.There is also a yoga during pregnancy chapter with routines, yoga & sports with routines, yoga & stress management (a bit too much of her philosophies there, as you can imagine). Furthermore, the Yoga Techniques Classified by Type section at the end of the book is very helpful for creating your own routines.Hope this review helps. Good luck!

I owned original book about 45 years ago. This revised copy pretty much duplicates the Original. Its nice to go over all the moves. I recommend this book for kids and adults. If your into the Martial Arts; its a jewel! Thank You

Excellent first step towards a yoga lifestyle

I used this to replace a 30-year old copy of the first edition, which I had used so much that the plastic comb binding was falling apart. I was leaving a trail of plastic pieces whenever I opened it! I think that I've reached the intermediate stage after all of this time, but the book is still useful.One note: The second edition has a wire binding and lays flat, like the old first edition. There is a newer third edition, which I haven't seen, that has a normal binding and, I think, does not lay flat. Laying flat is a BIG benefit when using the book while practicing.

I want to learn yoga without hurting or embarrassing myself. For me this is the perfect guide, leading me gently down a very healthy path. The explanation of what I was getting into (Yoga) was excellent. The how to even better. I am probably developing slower than most, but I find the directions very easy to understand and try and learn and do. I am quite certain that I will follow and stick to what the guide is showing me. I am hopeful this will lead to a life long practice for me.

I love this book, it has helped and encouraged me to want to start yoga and become healthy. It is easy to read and the pictures show how to do every exercise. I would recommend this book to any one who is looking to start yoga just for exercise or who is looking to begin a more serious yoga routine as a part of their life.

It's a challenge learning yoga from a book. However, the pictures and instructions in this book are excellent. With practice, I am slowly absorbing the warm up routine after which I go walking. Don't expect to have rapid results. The full program is seven months long.