If you only read one book about the theory and practice of yoga, this should be it. I had been searching for such a book for quite a while, and at class one day my instructor read a passage from this one -- I was hooked right away. This book is very well-balanced, incorporating both philosophical information and minuscule details for how to work yourself into each asana. I particularly enjoy the sanskrit glossary in the back of the book, as well as the appendix with a 200 week program. I have been reading through this and marking passages as I read, and it is clearly helping to deepen my awareness and practice. ( )

Other yoga books are easier to use (e.g. the Dorling Kindersley "Sivananda Yoga" texts), but I find myself refering back to this text regularly over the decades - now because I want to explore some connections between Qigong and yoga.

Deservedly a classic. Excellent if you want to follow the Iyenga yoga path. Also excellent if you want to explore other paths from a different angle. ( )

extremely useful; how to do asanas, the iyengar way; i've been carrying this puppy around with me since i left sf. it has good instruction and also some theory and practice plans

A classic. ( )

#98, 2006

It took me a while to get through this book. It’s very dense, and I could only read a certain amount in a single sitting before I’d start feeling overloaded. He’s got lots of very interesting information about the philsophy of yoga, and of course, his descriptions/photographs of asanas are considered the “Bible” of yoga. I enjoyed this book, but didn’t love it. It will stay on my shelf always, though, because I know I’ll be referring to it again and again over the years. ( )