Ashtanga Yoga - The Practice Manual

I say mind blowing because it is this book that has laid the way for some serious ashtanga yoga practice. I have got so much value from this book, not just from David's wonderful step by step breakdown, but also the ethos of the book and the thumbnails at the back that you can have open so you can just flow through your practice and glance down to see what asana is next. I highly recommend this book - it is very thorough and relatively user friendly. My only criticism is the austere visual style - you see the cover and think, wow this looks likes a dynamic book, but when you open it you see a black and white, quite linear layout. There are pluses to this in the sense that you have a clear 'no fuss' guide, however I feel it is visually a little too dry. Saying that, there is a seriousness about it that is a reflection of the discipline that is required to develop a sustained ashtanga yoga practice. David is a clear and concise teacher and I highly recommend this book for anyone who want a sincere, practical and informative companion on their journey through the primary and intermediate series. The short forms are great as a leading practice to the full series too. This kind of book is such an achievement that my criticisms are purely superficial - the book is fantastic for anyone who really wants to learn and practice ashtanga yoga from an experienced, grounded and inspiring teacher.

I think that this book is a great guide for any Ashtanga yoga lover who wants an easy, detailed yet simple step by step guide. The photos demonstrating the postures and sun salutations are great and I like the fact that they have variations of the postures dependant upon your level. There is a 15 min, 30 min and 1 hour (or is it 45 min - can't remember) routine which is great for your practice as you can fit it in regardless of how much time you have. I also like the way the Sanskrit asanas (posture names) are translated and broken down into English. This really is a great book for beginners, as it gives some good introductions to yoga, but also for the more advanced yoga student as there is lots of opportunity to learn more about the secondary series and more subtle areas such as bandas. I definitely recommend this book, it is the kind of book you could use daily or keep on your bookshelf for reference.

This is an excellent practice book written by one of the greatest Ashtanga yogis. All the postures are explained in detail so that you learn how to breath, how to concentrate, and how to perform each asana step by step. I find very useful the easier versions given for each asana in case you are not able to do the original one. The sequences and flows are described very clearly and you can chose your daily practice according to the amount of time you possess, e.g. there are shorter and longer series. And, the introductory information gives you all the background infromation on which you build your daily practice. I have been using the book for about 9 years and have improved my practice step by step. I strongly recommend the book to all people interested in yoga and desiring to learn it practically.

As a beginner I'm trying to throw myself into the world of yoga but I can only get to class once a week. This book, in conjuction with that class, is enabling me to practise at home whenever I can and has significantly helped me develop a personal practise. David clearly explains all the postures as well as providing clear photos of them and two or more easier variation to work with. There are also some short practices laid out at the back of the book along with a quick reference for key sequences for ease of practise without too much flipping. Well worth the investment, this book is my home yoga teacher/partner.

Absolutely brilliant. Very clear photos and explanations. Lots of simpler version off the exercises to enable those less supple, like me, to get value out of the exercise and gradually improve rather than straining to achieve some impossible posture. the author is a great advert for the method as he looks athletic and supple rather than impossibly bendy like some books. Of course he does bend but you can see that it comes from proper practice of the various stretches rather than double joints. Also you can see that your can develop your strength and movement.

For a second hand copy/used book , it came in great condition . Happy with the purchase . In terms of the actual practice manual it has great , well laid out information and I can't wait to get really into it and grow/develop my practice . You can tell the author really put thought into this book and making it accessible and user friendly for practitioners.

Includes clear photographs of each posture with a full explanation and advice as to how to approach the posture from every level. Covers beginners Ashtanga to the more advanced postures, also includes some 'short forms' which are examples of shorter routines from 15mins - 45mins if you don't have time to practise the full series. Perfect for practical usage due to the spiral binding and durable cover. Was recommended this book by my yoga teacher and can't see my self ever needing to buy another practical Ashtanga book! It's been useful both to confirm the postures covered in class and to aid home practise.

Let's be honest, Ashtanga yoga can look... intense. All those challenging poses linked together, the specific breath, the gaze points – it's a beautiful, powerful practice, but diving in can feel a bit daunting, especially if you're trying to establish a home practice or just understand what's happening in a led class. I needed a guide, something more than just a quick online video. Enter David Swenson's "Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual." This book quickly became my absolute go-to, my silent teacher, my spiral-bound guru. What makes this book so incredible is its practicality. The spiral binding is a game-changer – you can actually lay it flat next to your mat without wrestling with pages! But beyond the smart design, the content is gold. The photos are clear, showing the postures step-by-step, and crucially, Swenson includes variations for every single pose. This is HUGE. It immediately makes the practice feel accessible, no matter your current level of flexibility or strength. It's not about forcing yourself into a shape, but about finding the pose that works for your body today. He covers the Primary and Intermediate Series, breaking down the vinyasa count, the breath, and the drishti (gaze points) in a way that's easy to follow. It demystifies the sequence and helps you build confidence whether you're practicing alone or just want to deepen your understanding of what's happening in a class. This manual has had a profound impact on my consistency. Having such a clear, user-friendly resource right there makes rolling out my mat and starting the practice so much less intimidating. It feels supportive and encouraging, like David Swenson himself is right there, patiently guiding you through. If you practice Ashtanga, or are even just curious about starting, this book is, in my opinion, essential. It's detailed, incredibly practical, and makes the journey into this dynamic practice feel achievable and deeply rewarding. It's more than just a manual; it's a true companion for your practice.

Un indispensable pour les pratiquants d Ashtanga , débutants comme confirmés

Un manual imprescindible. Claro, completo y fácil de consultar: es como una auténtica biblia del yoga. Ideal tanto para principiantes como para practicantes avanzados. Totalmente recomendado.

Amazing book, enjoyed reading it keeping it as a guidance for my practices.

Everything you need to learn abot ashtanga.