Yoga Mind and Body (DK Living)

Develop your mental and physical potential, take control of the stress and tension of everyday living, and learn to nourish your mind and body with Yoga Mind & Body. Vetted by the expert staff of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, this guide stresses the five points of exercise, breathing, meditation, diet, and relaxation for improved health and happiness. In addition to basic yoga poses, Yoga Mind & Body provides meditation tools, stress relief exercises, and recipes for healthful nutrition.

The London Sivananda Yoga Center's Yoga Mind & Body is a comprehensive yet user-friendly guide for anyone interested in starting or expanding a yoga practice. All the essentials are covered, from the Sun Salutation and 12 basic asanas (the system of poses that make up hatha yoga) to relaxation, positive thinking, breathing, purification, and meditation techniques. The book contains more than 500 beautiful illustrations demonstrating both basic and advanced poses. The detailed instructions will enable anyone, regardless of age, sex, or physical ability, to start practicing yoga at home. The physical, mental, and pranic (energy) benefits of each pose are included, as well as a discussion of common alignment problems associated with each asana. The authors also give readers a taste of yoga philosophy and the yoga lifestyle, including a section on vegetarianism complete with dozens of recipes to refuel after completing those shoulder stands, forward bends, and spinal twists. --Ellen Albertson