Can I learn yoga from a book?

March 27, 2007 10:23 AM

Can you recommend a good yoga book for a beginner?

I am going to Thailand for a couple of months and I'm not sure whether I'll be able exercise much outside (it's going to be hot and rainy). I was thinking that I could take a mat and a book or two and get in some good yoga practice. I'm a beginner, though, and I don't have any books. Can you make any recommendations? I'm young, in good shape, and go to yoga classes a couple of times a week. I do okay on the basics, but still have a lot of learning to do. I'm going to ask my teachers for recommendations, but I'm not thrilled with either one of them, so I'm not sure they can give me the best recommendation.

I'm not sure what kind of yoga I like, btw. I have done kundalini yoga a few times and like it okay. I like to be fairly energetic, and I like to improve my strength and flexibility (these last two I'm thinking are consistent among different types of yoga). I don't like chanting at all, but I like concentrating on my breathing and working out my insides through breath. I like the meditative aspect, but I have trouble keeping my mind from racing when I'm by myself.

Is this even a good idea? Is it even doable, considering that I'm a beginner? I'm not expecting to have a TV so I won't bring DVDs, but I think I may be able to play music so I might bring some appropriate music. I'm leaving very soon, so I'll get about 3 more classes in before I leave.

Are there yoga blogs worth checking out? (Pre-trip.)

posted by Amizu to health & fitness (11 answers total)

John Scott's Ashtanga Yoga seems a good fit for you. It is my yoga bible.
posted by Sassyfras at 10:34 AM on March 27, 2007

My favorite book for beginners is BKS Iyengar's Yoga: The Path to Holistic Help. It has pictures of poses from a lot of different angles, with clear and detailed explanations. That being said, it's really big, hardcover, and heavy: probably not the best option for travel.

Iyengar's seminal work Light on Yoga is much more portable, though a bit intimidating and not that helpful for beginners. However, it's a good buy if you plan on continuing your asana study.

Admittedly, I am a biased Iyengar practitioner; I've found that his method's focus on alignment and safety is a good starting point for anyone interested in yoga, as it slowly builds strength towards a more advanced and meditative asana and pranayama (breathing) practice. Some people find Iyengar yoga to be too detail-oriented and a bit tedious, so it may not be for you. Sorry, I can't really recommend any other books because I haven't studied any other schools of yoga.

I would also like to add for anyone else that if you've never taken classes from a good teacher, please strongly consider doing so before you start practicing on your own. Not only can an unguided yoga study be dangerous, but if you start out doing poses the wrong way, once you take a class, unlearning bad habits makes it more difficult in the long run. Yoga can be a wonderful way to stay healthy and grounded, but when approached without guidance and proper support, it can also be unsafe. Good luck, and enjoy your travels!
posted by j3s at 11:24 AM on March 27, 2007

(Oh, to clarify - I think they're excellent good teachers - I've been learning a lot, I enjoy their classes, they teach at a very reputable place, and they get good reviews from the other students who know much more than I do. I just don't particularly 'like' them. They're too 'yoga-y' for my taste.)

And thanks - a book that isn't too heavy would be good. I've checked out the Light on Yoga book and it seems from reviews that it's a bit difficult for beginners. I like the idea of a book that is good for beginners, but also won't leave me bored. Maybe that's not possible in 2 months anyway.
posted by Amizu at 11:39 AM on March 27, 2007

I totally understand not "liking" a teacher. There has to be a definite fit with a teacher. So no matter how good they are, if you and the teacher don't click, it just doesn't matter.

I've had two yoga instructors. The first I clicked with right away and even signed up for private lessons. Then when she was no longer available, I tried another teacher through a community course. She just didn't do things the way I was used to and didn't take the time to go through the postures. They were both beginning instructors but I needed the hand-holding of the first instructor.

She made audio CD's with several different sessions walking through postures, breathing, and guided meditation, all to tasteful music.

I haven't tried books ... I think I would be constantly looking at the pictures to make sure I was doing it right, which I think would interrupt my flow.
posted by indigo4963 at 11:56 AM on March 27, 2007

I would recommend Teach Yourself Yoga (my copy doesn't have such a daunting cover picture though!)

There's no substitute for good instruction, but I've used this book since I was a beginner and I think it's pretty much no-nonsense, and doesn't try to replace having a teacher. It's also standard paperback size and not too thick, so that's handy for travelling.

It could be a handy reference for when you're doing poses and sequences that you're familiar with from class, but need a bit of a memory jolt to figure out what to do next (especially as you get further into your trip.)
posted by different at 1:59 PM on March 27, 2007

http://www.movingintostillness.com/
this guy has an excellent book. He is very detailed and specific but approachable on a beginner level. You can start where you are and go far with it. It isn't super small and light but it's worth it. He is simple and not gimicky or creepy.
plus on the cover there is a weird picture of him that makes me laugh
posted by henryis at 4:17 PM on March 27, 2007

I recommend T.K.V. Desikachar's The Heart of Yoga as a gentle, broad introduction to all the different aspects of yoga, not just the postures. Desikachar's father, Krishnamacharya , taught the teachers or grand-teachers of most of the yogis you have heard of.

My understanding is that you learn yoga on the mat, by practicing yoga. A teacher is widely considered to be helpful, but just start practicing!
posted by shothotbot at 6:05 PM on March 27, 2007

I'd be wary if you hadn't said you've already taken some classes. I'm tempted to recommend watching some yoga videos pre-trip and just writing down the pose order, for once you arrive.

Also, depending on where you are, I imagine you could find some yoga classes in Thailand that would be fairly cheap.

Have fun.
posted by backwards guitar at 7:59 PM on March 27, 2007

the sivananda companion to yoga is excellent for fit beginners-- well written, lots of pictures, simple but complete routine, mostly asanas but introduces other aspects of yoga philosophy as well, etc. it's a form developed to fit easily into a western lifestyle, but not too watered down (for example, attempting headstand is part of the basic sequence and even some advanced variations are discussed)

light on yoga is less approachable, but it is THE book about yoga and can take you all the way from beginner to very advanced if you follow the 300 week practice cycle described.
posted by lgyre at 10:24 PM on March 27, 2007

Seconding the sivananda companion to yoga - the illustrations are clear, it's light, and the explanations are interesting to read. For getting into shape, can you combine the yoga with swimming since you say it will be hot? Even better would be scuba - the diving in Thailand is among the best in the world.
posted by hazyjane at 12:04 AM on March 28, 2007

Update: I brought John Scott's Ashtanga Yoga & Iyengar's Light on Yoga and my friend also gave me some yoga travel cards. John Scott's was definitely my speed, but I also liked having Light on Yoga when I was in the mood for something challenging. The yoga cards were fun too - had some intesting poses.

(And I did combine yoga & swimming - a great combo as it turns out.)
posted by Amizu at 12:24 PM on June 20, 2007