Inner stillness. Perfect awareness. True beauty. Yoga is much more than just a physical activity. It is a conscious lifestyle that brings about a profound spiritual and personal transformation. This book on yoga invites you to experience yoga as the ancient masters intended it—a holistic way of life that unites the body, mind, and spirit for complete health and well-being. With clear instruction, Dr. Robert Butera guides you through ten steps on the path of yoga that are based on traditional yogic principles and practices, yet designed to fit seamlessly into your life. Yoga enthusiasts of all kinds will discover effective tools for creating a life of healthful beauty and inner peace. Understand the role of physical poses within the larger, holistic system of yoga Practice breathing techniques (pranayama), work with your energy centers (chakras), and develop your concentration Overcome psychological blocks, balance your emotions, and grow emotionally and spiritually Visit www.pureheartofyoga.com for free video clips of demonstrated yoga postures. Praise: "The Pure Heart of Yoga will bring increased depth to your yoga practice...It is an excellent book: thoughtful, reflective, deep, and accessible."—Eleanor Criswell, Ed.D., author of How Yoga Works "That he's able to instruct and inspire with a warm heart and skillful direction, without judgment or prejudice about the "style" or your yoga of choice, is good reason to believe this book will bring life to your practice."—Yoga Journal

The first yoga text to outline a step-by-step sequence for developing a complete practice according to viniyoga--yoga adapted to the needs of the individual. • A contemporary classic by a world-renowned teacher. • This new edition adds thirty-two poems by Krishnamacharya that capture the essence of his teachings. Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who lived to be over 100 years old, was one of the greatest yogis of the modern era. Elements of Krishnamacharya's teaching have become well known around the world through the work of B. K. S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and Indra Devi, who all studied with Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya's son T. K. V. Desikachar lived and studied with his father all his life and now teaches the full spectrum of Krishnamacharya's yoga. Desikachar has based his method on Krishnamacharya's fundamental concept of viniyoga, which maintains that practices must be continually adapted to the individual's changing needs to achieve the maximum therapeutic value. In The Heart of Yoga Desikachar offers a distillation of his father's system as well as his own practical approach, which he describes as "a program for the spine at every level--physical, mental, and spiritual." This is the first yoga text to outline a step-by-step sequence for developing a complete practice according to the age-old principles of yoga. Desikachar discusses all the elements of yoga--poses and counterposes, conscious breathing, meditation, and philosophy--and shows how the yoga student may develop a practice tailored to his or her current state of health, age, occupation, and lifestyle. This is a revised edition of The Heart of Yoga.

God and Sex: the two most powerful and misunderstood words in the English language. The presumed separation beween God and Sex has vulgarized both and made them painful, anxiety inducing, and useless to our lives. Lucid, radical and gentle, this long-awaited book from globally beloved teacher Mark Whitwell clarifies the old cultural division of the sacred and the profane and how it has affected all of our lives, whether we are religious or no, and charts a way through the mess. At gatherings around the world, Mark breaks down these inherited divisions with great humour, kindness and depth of presence, opening tens of thousands of hearts to the beauty that they already are. What if I were to tell you that you can fully participate in both God and Sex? By bringing them together into clear association, each purifies the other, and both can be made profoundly useful to your life. Life is Sex. The pollen in the air is the Sex of plants. The flowers and the sounds of animals are the Sex of nature. No matter how convoluted the human mind becomes, we are still this condition. We do not need to 'become' anything in order to have a free and healthy life. There is nothing to be liberated from. This book is for any sincere religious person conflicted about Sex, and any secular modern person trying to find a positive and enriched sexuality. It's for anyone who thinks they have to give up Sex to get to God, and anyone who thinks they have to give up God in order to enjoy Sex. It is for both men and women, for those in same-sex or opposite-sex partnerships, for those looking for partnership, and for those happily by themselves. It is for anyone wondering "What is intimacy?" and wanting a framework to understand the damage done to our lives by the belief systems that suggested God was above and Sex was below. It's for anyone dissatisfied or bored by relationship drama and the normal definitions of God and Sex-God as 'other, ' Sex as something sleazy, effortful, hard to get, or fundamentally disappointing. It is for those who wish to turn their sexual life into the heart's activity, participation in God, and for those who wish to turn their religious life into the heart's activity, participation in profound intimacy with their breath, their body, and relationship of every kind. We have all been affected by the dysfunctional separation of sacred and profane. This writing is transmission that will dismiss the absurd idea that you can have God or Sex, but not both, and enable you to realise that you are, in fact, the power of the cosmos, arising as pure intelligence and utter beauty. "Mark's presentation of the teachings of Krishnamacharya as modified by the Krishnamurthis is like a sharp knife cutting through a dense mound of bullshit, and what remains is compelling in its simplicity and its humanity." - Galen Tromble, founder of Climate Yogi Chapters include, 'The Hoax of Enlightenment, ' 'The Heart's Embrace of Ordinary Conditions, ' and 'Regenerative Sexuality'

For the millions of people who struggle with food and body issues, yoga and its practice of mindfulness can offer a surprisingly effective path to well-being. For Melissa Grabau, a psychotherapist who has battled her own eating disorders since she was a child, yoga contains the key ingredients to transforming our connection to food and to our bodies. The Yoga of Food invites you to explore contemplation prompts and meditations that will help you create a deeper appreciation of the body's health and vitality. Sharing lessons and stories she's cultivated from years of clinical practice, Melissa provides a roadmap toward a healthier approach to nutrition and the human spirit.

In this remarkable, first-of-its-kind book, twenty-five contributors—including musician Alanis Morissette, celebrity yoga instructor Seane Corn, and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Sara Gottfried—discuss how yoga and body image intersect. Through inspiring personal stories you'll discover how yoga not only affects your physical health, but also how you feel about your body. Offering unique perspectives on yoga and how it has shaped their lives, the writers provide tips for using yoga to find self-empowerment and improved body image. This anthology unites a diverse collection of voices that address topics across the spectrum of human experience, from culture and media to gender and sexuality. Yoga and Body Image will help you learn to connect with and love your beautiful body. 2015 IPPY Award Bonze Medal Winner in Inspirational/Spiritual 2014 ForeWord IndieFab Bronze Winner for Body, Mind & Spirit

Create a personalized path to healing with this step-by-step guide to holistic change. Comprehensive and accessible no matter your skill level, Yoga Therapy for Stress and Anxiety helps you understand what creates a stress-filled life so that you may choose a life of ease instead. Through yoga practice and the lesser-known lifestyle aspects of yoga, you will be able to face all situations from the calm perspective of the higher self. Incorporating exercises, breathing techniques, meditation, and many other tools, this guide provides effective methods for repairing areas of imbalance and identifying your needs. Learn about the five yogic paths of psychology, intellect, health, work, and relationships. Apply a variety of yoga postures for relaxation, improved attitude and sleep, self-acceptance, and more. With the transformative power of a whole-lifestyle approach, you will achieve wellness in your mind, body, and soul. Praise: "A comprehensive and extremely accessible guide for modern health. Grounded in the ancient practices, the three authors weave modern understanding into practical tools that will serve all of us far into the future."—Matthew J. Taylor, PT, PhD, past president of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and author of Fostering Creativity in Rehabilitation

Use the Ancient Wisdom of Yoga to Explore the Deepest Aspects of Your Creative Self Combining expressive arts and yoga therapy, Yoga for the Creative Soul is an invaluable guide to healing emotional wounds and creating a joyous life. Through drawing, writing, dancing, humming, and cooking—as well as yoga postures, meditation, relaxation, breathing, and self-inquiry—this book helps you cultivate your true intentions and live your deepest values. With helpful tips for daily practice and a quiz to support you in identifying areas of imbalance, author Erin Byron shares techniques that you can personalize to meet your specific needs. Discover how to bring color, movement, and melody into everyday moments with the five paths to self-realization: Karma, Jnana, Raja, Bhakti, and Tantra. Engaging a process of personal transformation and learning how take control of your life are gifts you can give yourself with Yoga for the Creative Soul Praise: "I'm dazzled. Yoga for the Creative Soul is more than a program or philosophy. It's a gift, merging the tenets of ancient and yoga-based psychology with the expressive arts and personal healing...In this blessed book, Erin presents us with an all-inclusive path to joy."—Cyndi Dale, author of Llewellyn's Complete Book of Chakras "A DIY guide full of exceptional exercises to awaken your best and most creative self . . . Yoga for the Creative Soul will help you to gently release fear, embrace change, gather courage, and overcome your inner-perfectionist."—Amy B. Scher, author of How To Heal Yourself When No One Else Can

Reclaim Your Health with this Whole-Person Approach to Wellness Featuring extensive yogic wisdom, real-world examples of its ideas in action, and inspiring discussions, this innovative book helps you design and apply a personalized system of yoga to all areas of your life. Both scientific and spiritual perspectives are featured, merging Eastern and Western knowledge to show you the ideal path to a happy, healthy, and comprehensive yoga lifestyle. The Yoga Life makes it easy to incorporate yoga's philosophy and guiding principles into your daily routine. Discover breathwork and meditation exercises, stress-relief techniques, and self-assessment sections. Explore the four steps for whole-person perspective, the five paths of yoga for self-realization, and the ten lifestyle areas for comprehensive health. From sleep and nutrition to relationships and finances, this book helps evaluate where you are and where you can improve in order to create a unique practice that brings positive, lasting change.

Yoga Therapy: Theory and Practice is a vital guidebook for any clinician or scholar looking to integrate yoga into the medical and mental health fields. Chapters are written by expert yoga therapy practitioners and offer theoretical, historical, and practice-based instruction on cutting-edge topics such as application of yoga therapy to anger management and the intersection of yoga therapy and epigenetics; many chapters also include Q&A "self-inquiries." Readers will find that Yoga Therapy is the perfect guide for practitioners looking for new techniques as well as those hoping to begin from scratch with yoga therapy.

Deepen Your Relationship with Your Body Transform negative words, thoughts, and beliefs into personal empowerment with the unique approach found in Body Mindful Yoga. Combining insightful Yoga philosophies and simple Yoga practices with the power of language to improve body image, this book's inspiring guidance will empower you to move through the world with an attitude that radiates self-confidence. Open your eyes to how words affect your body image using four Body Mindful steps: Listen, Learn, Love, and Live. These steps lead to amazing insights through practical techniques, hands-on exercises, and yoga practices. The latter two steps encourage active practice as you improve your inner dialogue and your interactions with others. You will also learn how to apply the teachings and yoga practices of this book to your daily life and continue your personal Body Mindful Yoga journey.