Ashtanga Yoga for Women: Invigorating Mind, Body, and Spirit with Power Yoga

By Sally Griffyn

Ashtanga Yoga for Women opens with an introduction to this unique form of power yoga and outlines its practice. The book presents the asanas (postures) in the form of a step-by-step guide. It carefully explains how to get into postures and offers some alternatives to each posture.Next the book looks at the differing effects of yoga on different women at various points in their lives and examines different practices based on age, weight and shape factors. Breath and breathing is addressed in detail since proper breathing technique is vital to the correct practice of Ashtanga yoga and can lead to transformation physically and mentally in terms of stress relief and relaxation.Other chapters examines how Ashtanga yoga helps a woman develop a greater self-worth and empowers her by putting her in touch with her inner strengths. Ashtanga as an alternative medicine is addressed including detoxify and emotional release, as well as its ability to dispel depression and obsession.The final chapter explores the spiritual relationship of women and yoga and how the everchanging cycle of the moon links with the teachings of Ashtanga and , in turn, with the cycle of menstruation and ovulation.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1569753504
• ISBN13: 9781569753507
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Ulysses Press
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.6" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

An excellent reference for the rest of us (women - that is)

This is an excellent reference specifically for the female ashtangi. The views of each pose include the drishti and reminders of the bandhas. The breath count is included as well and will be helpful to the beginner. Suggestions for modifications are printed near the poses referred to. A brief essay on the philosophy is included as are mini chapters on the different "seasons" of a woman's life (almost no mention is made of menopause, however). The pictures are excellent but the print is very light and very small making it difficult to read. I would suggest having this as a second or third reference and using David Swenson's manual as a primary guide along with an authorized instructor. Another excellent guide is G. Maehle's new book: Ashtanga.Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and PhilosophyAshtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual: An Illustrated Guide to Personal Practice I would have given this 5 stars but it's not as thorough as it could be. Many women practice throughout their lives and the biggest transitions - perimenopause and menopause are barely hinted at.

Finally, a Yoga title book specifically for female practicer

I just began to practice Ashtanga yoga and there are so many Yoga related books out there, but none of them, until this one, is specifically for female practicers. It explains in detail what female Ashtanga Yoga practicers need mind during different stage of life - pregnancy, menstrual period, etc, - to adjust practice accordingly.It's very helpful for female Ashtanga yoga practicers in general.However, there's some minor typo or mis-numbered error here and there in the book, it also doesn't include second series.I strongly suggest female practicers to get this one as a second reference because in our life, there are times we need make adjustment accordingly.