Alan Finger

I took my first yoga class when I was twenty-one (so, uh, around eight years ago), and I've been hooked on it ever since. Back then, I remember being struck by how "free" I felt when I practiced, and how yoga made it easy for me to turn off that constant inner-monologue. Yoga allowed me to feel happier and more present.

Since moving up North (and far away from any yuppie yoga studios), I've tried to practice at least several times as week (either in the basement or on the balcony). I've also show more expanded my own views on yoga through dvds, magazines, and books. I've become more liberated and self-assured, along with being more flexible (although, I honestly feel that I'll never ever be able to do a decent cow face).

In brief, I feel like my relationship with yoga is still constantly evolving and changing - this is a good thing.

As previously stated, I try to learn as much as possible about yoga. I have books upon books about the varying styles of yoga, and I still get excited to read something new. I recently read Alan Finger's Chakra Yoga: Balancing Energy for Physical, Spiritual, and Mental Well-Being. Finger's style of yoga, ISHTA yoga, concentrates of usage of physical practice to stimulate the seven chakras. Through asanas, meditation, and chanting, Finger believes that it is possible for one to create positive energy and to balance the chakras.

Personally, I loved this book. Yep, this book is FANTASTIC!

I found Finger's writing style to be easily understood, and I liked how Finger ties personal experiences with his ideas. As a reader, these personal touches make the book to be an engaging spiritual text rather than a heavy philosophical tome. Finger should be applauded for adding important details on how each pose should be done and including pictures of said poses. Far too often yoga books include poses, but have little details on the finer nature of these poses. Alignment is important! Finally, I found that his daily chakra practices could be easily incorporated into my own routine, and really do feel that these practices have also furthered my feeling of contentment.

Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced student of yoga, I recommend that you check this book out. The practices in here will only help to enhance your practice! show less

#38, 2006

This is a WONDERFUL book! The author takes the reader through each chakra one at a time, giving information about the meanings/correspondences, the physical placement in the body, and asanas to help awaken and properly align each one. I worked through this book during the course of a week, doing one chakra per day. It was a really enjoyable and enlightening practice.

On my final day, as a wrap-up, I listened to the guided meditation CD that came with the book, and as much as I show more enjoyed the book, I loved the CD even more! Mr. Finger has a wonderful voice, and I really enjoyed the way he led the meditation. It's difficult to actually meditate to a CD, because the voice obviously creates a distraction, but there was something very charming to me about the way he led the meditation, and I found myself very relaxed and feeling good afterwards. I would very much recommend this book to anyone who thinks they might be interested in working with the chakras through yoga. show less