Richard Rosen (2) (1947–)

I checked this book out of the library partially to see how I stack up doing yoga at age 75. Looking at the preliminary exercises, I wasn't too confident of my ability, but going to meet of the poses showed me that I could do most of the poses in this book, even though really wasn't serious about yoga until I was 70. I'm not good at sun salutations, seated wide-leg pose, intense-stretch-of-the-west, bow poses, and tree pose. Some of the poses are presented with props which longer yogis don't show more usually do, like camel, cow face, reclining big toe, head-to-knee. show less

Not that I was willing to go all-into Rosen's program, but very useful explanations of body-mapping, the breath, and other aspects of yoga.

Part history, part philosophy, part yoga instruction manual, this book clears up some of the confusion and misconceptions about the development of yoga, both traditional and modern. Richard Rosen draws from ancient yoga manuals, which combine philosophy with postures and meditations, to show how traditional practice compares with what we do today. He is an engaging, experienced guide who reveals the development of modern yoga through the centuries and shows how the ancient yogis did it. Each show more section offers a guided practice session of ancient poses and breathing techniques to enable readers to connect to the roots of their yoga and to provide a framework for understanding the sequences they use in their regular sessions. show less