The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga Paperback – July 7, 2005

The father of modern yoga, Shri Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) used to tell his students that yoga was "India's greatest gift to the world." Through his long career as a respected scholar and yoga teacher, he resurrected many of the old practices and adapted them to the requirements of the modern world. Many prominent yoga masters studied under his guidance, including T. K. V. Desikachar (his own son, and developer of the yoga style called Viniyoga - born in 1938), Indra Devi (1899-2002), B. K. S. Iyengar (perhaps the best known current yoga teacher in the world, born in 1918), Pattabhi Jois (founder of Vinyasa Yoga, 1915-2009), and Srivatsa Ramaswami (born in 1939) who studied under his direction for 33 years and was the master's longest-standing student.Ramaswami had the advantage of being close to Krishnamacharya during his last years, when the master emphasized the necessity to adapt yoga teaching to the needs of each student. Ramaswami criticizes many of the current yoga styles as being "blatantly aggressive." In his previous book, Yoga for the Three Stages of Life (Rochester, VY: Inner Traditions, 2000) he planned to rescue many of Krishnamacharya's teachings but it included few representative asanas (`poses'). The new book proposes to revive a particular approach that he calls Vinyasa Krama (Vinyasa: `sequence' and Krama: `tool' or `method'). This approach consists of sequences and subroutines, focusing the mind on the breath and applying the proper bandhas (`locks').Ramaswami's book on Vinyasa yoga is a treasure. The new book is a continuation of his previous one and has a comprehensive presentation of more than 900 asanas and their variations. The 12 chapters cover all the basic sequences, giving particular emphasis to how to come into each pose, how to stay in the pose, and how to come out. He also pays particular attention to the proper breathing for each pose. It is very didactic; each pose is ranked according to the level of difficulty (one to five diamonds), and is beautifully illustrated. It also includes an audio CD with some Sanskrit chants that could be used to accompany the performance of the asanas. The CD also has a complete recitation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (the author of the first book written about yoga).Ramaswami has been teaching in India for more than 25 years and regularly visits the United States, where he has been directing a teaching training programme at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles). He has offered intense yoga training during his numerous visits to New York (Kripalu, the Himalayan Institute, and Integral Yoga) and gave a Master Class to the Yoga Club at the United Nations, in June 2007.

This is one of the most useful books on yoga asana I have read in a while. Srivatsa Ramaswami present a multitude of vinyasas, i.e. flowing asana sequences. There are virtually hundreds of variations for students depending on their level. I thin kthe book really tries to make the reader undersatnd that in yoga achievement is not the thing we are looking for.I woud say that the book is for students who have practiced a little bit, especailly that the problem of sequencing the various vinyasas is tackled.I would highly recommend the book.

This is an outline of authentic complete yoga practice based on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. It offers welcome alternative to the studio/gym asana based yoga.

Iam a yoga newbie.Ive been doing it off and on for a while now.This book is a great read as well as a continued reference book.I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Vinyasa Yoga.Newbie or seasoned practitioner alike.

This has been a go-to book for ideas and deeper understanding of authentic vinyasa yoga for years. I teach slow, breath-centered vinyasa in the tradition of Krishnamacharya, who was Ramaswami's teacher. When I want to challenge my class a bit, I turn to this book for inspiration. Some of the asanas are problematic from an anatomical standpoint though....i.e. they can hurt you, even if you are a seasoned yoga practitioner. So, as you read the book, understand that some of the things shown here....like having your full weight on a knee that is extended over your ankle...can be damaging. Read this book, enjoy it, use it...but be careful and understand your limitations and those of your class if you are teaching.

The Book is Excellent and Unique, being that Srivatsa Ramaswami, was a Direct Student of his Master Teacher, of Sr. Krishnamacharya, for the Most Part, the Father of Modern Yoga, coming 'out' to the World. The Beginning Section is great, even for Beginners. It is a 'book' to Add, to one's Evolving Library on Yoga. Highly recommended.

I will also be routing some days that I may need coverage for my classes in do to recent travel plans, to GOD be the Glory. The dates that I currently have a conflict are June 22nd, July13th, and July 18th (hot yoga) and August 10th. I will send an email to SEY staff tomorrow.

It is good for those who want to learn pose alignment; however, I was looking for a book which explains the anatomy of a pose - more info about muscles and bones involved in a pose rather than just the pose itself. Also, I didn't receive the CD with the book which would have been more useful for practitioners. In this digital era, I personally feel that videos explain alignment better than wordy descriptions; books should provide internal and spiritual explanations for poses.