Beyond Power Yoga » (ILLUSTRATE)

Beryl Bender Birch is the Wellness Director and Yoga Teacher-in-Residence of the New York Road Runners Club. She is one of the most highly regarded and well-known teachers in the United States, and one of the few qualified teachers of the astanga yoga method. Best known for bringing yoga into not only mainstream American society but the traditional athletic community as well, Beryl brings to you with Power Yoga the unique and noted practice that she has taught to tens of thousands of athletes.

FROM SWEAT TO SAMADHI: The Path of ASTANGA YOGA

Beyond Power Yoga presents and explores the complete journey of the classical astanga yoga system, from power yoga to meditation and liberation. Bender Birch's first book, the groundbreaking Power Yoga, introduced one level of astanga yoga to mainstream America — a high-heat, high-energy mind/body workout. Now, Beyond Power Yoga presents all eight levels, or limbs, of this ancient method — a total practice for body and soul.

Drawing a parallel between astanga yoga's eight limbs and the mind/body energy centers (chakras) of Eastern philosophy, Bender Birch shows us how we can balance and heal our body, focus and relax our mind, amplify and direct our energy (prana), and ultimately reclaim our spiritual connection to Universal Consciousness. Each chapter offers specific practices to help the reader uncover and experience the insights of the astanga yoga journey.

0. The YAMAS: Exploring the Fundamentals
1. The NIYAMAS: Doing the Work
2. ASANA: Practicing the Postures
3. PRANAYAMA: Breathing Mindfully
4. PRATYAHARA: Turning Inward
5. DHARANA: Developing Concentration
6. DHYANA: Experiencing Meditation
7. SAMADHI: Living Joyfully

Presented in the down-to-earth illuminating style and inspiring voice of the author, illustrated with easy-to-follow photos, plus a special wall chart of the asana sequences, Beyond Power Yoga offers a short form of the dynamic mind/body power yoga method, then journeys through the deeper levels of spiritualpractice.

Preface

INTRODUCTION, PART I

The Journey to India

INTRODUCTION, PART II

The Awakening

1

THE SOURCE OF OUR SUPPORT: DISCOVERING THE FUNDAMENTALS

2

THE WORK: YOGA IN ACTION

3

THE WORKOUT: THE BURNING POWER OF ASANA PRACTICE

4

MINDFUL BREATHING: CONNECTING BODY AND MIND

5

BEYOND THE SENSES: TURNING INWARD

6

TRAINING THE MIND: LEARNING CONCENTRATION

7

THE PATH TO SELF: EXPERIENCING MEDITATION

8

THE LEAP INTO LIBERATION: KNOWING BLISS

Endnotes

Bibliography

Additional Recommended Reading

Index

Exercise Chart