From the author of the best-selling Yoga Deck comes Essential Yoga -- the only hatha yoga book to offer this many poses (over 100), this many illustrations (over 180), and this many suggested sequences (over 50). Practical and interactive, it focuses on the poses themselves, providing clear, concise instructions and detailed illustrations for each, all in a lay-flat format that's easy to refer to during yoga practice. It also includes six classic moving meditations (such as Sun Salutation and Camel Vinyasa), 10 beginner-to-advanced sessions, and 48 mini-sequences designed to build strength for specific activities or alleviate health problems. Essential Yoga combines physical poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayamas), and meditations (dhyanas) into a simple and complete reference guide for yoga practitioners of all levels. Along the way, author Olivia Miller provides guidance on proper technique and alignment; modifications for beginners or those with knee, neck, or back pain; suggestions for preventing injury; and ways to keep a regular practice interesting and active. For beginners as muchas experts looking for one complete book that has it all, Essential Yoga is it.

Average Customer Review: ( 17 customer reviews )
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Overall, I really enjoyed the graphics, general appearance, and construction of the book. This one seems to be well built in its lay-flat format which is good when you find yourself on the mat. The choice of yellow header may be hard for some readers since it does not reflect strongly against the white pages. The red text and graphics do appear well but the text might be small for some readers.

There are some very good breathing exercises (Ch.1) for more advance students of yoga. Usually, advance techniques like these are introduced to the novice student after becoming well versed in poses and basic breathing techniques.

The Asanas (Ch.2 & 3) have nice graphics of the postures with modifications. I liked the Sanskrit Names under the English Names of the poses. The benefits of each pose are presented in the beginning but no warnings which should have been included. The descriptions for getting into the posture are minimal which is nice since you want the basics to spend more time doing them, which is fine for the more advance yoga practioner but beginners might feel somewhat lost.

The Meditations (Ch. 4) were wonderful. The explanations were fantastic and the descriptions were very solid. It really allows the reader to visualize and affirm the thoughts during the meditation. I really enjoyed them.

The Vinyasas (Ch. 5) are described very well and the artwork was clean and crisp. It is nice to see a yoga book include more than the basic Sun Salutation. However, the poses didn't have their page numbers next to them to help the user reference them which seems odd because later in the book they are there for the Chapters Yoga Sessions and Recommended Sequences. No big deal, but the omissions itself is quirky.

The Yoga Sessions and Recommended Sequences (Ch. 6 & 7) are basically designed for students that allow them to work on specific conditions, goals, such as athletic improvements or time constraints. The poses do have corresponding page numbers for quick reference if you are rusty on certain poses. Beginners might be discouraged by this since they would be flipping back and forth too many times.

Beginners should always find a good teacher to start learning yoga. This allows the teacher to answer questions and make adjustments for them to get the maximum benefit from their yoga practice, then progress to books, videos, and retreats as ways to supplement their yoga practice.

Bottom line, this book would make a nice addition to your yoga library and give you some nice inspiration to help expand your yoga practice.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:

GREAT for EVERYONE!Aug 18, 2005
By Sirena
This is the GREATEST yoga book!!! I wouldn't buy another. I'm a beginner and the illustrations (TONS!) are amazing. The book also gives you explanations on all positions and groups the exercises for the area that you want to focus on. The sessions range from 20 minutes to 1 1/2 hours!!!! EXCELLENT BUY!

7 of 8 found the following review helpful:

Excellent bookNov 22, 2004
By jw
I tried a lot of other yoga books but this one seems the most informative and flexible... The many routines presented in the back of the book are varied and easy to follow, duration anywhere from 20min to 2 hours, thumbnail pictures means no flipping once you do the routine the whole way through. "Lie flat spine" actually does lie flat, to my suprise. Directions are clear and concise. It's no substitute for a teacher, but it makes my home practice MUCH easier and helps give me direction. And there's room for me to grow. I think someone else mentioned the yellow headers didn't contrast very well, the brown text doesn't contrast well in dim light, but that's all there is to complain about. Seriously, an excellent book.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:

One of the Best Yoga Manuals on the MarketJan 22, 2009
By Marjorie Marie Mcatee
A useful resource for beginners, Essential Yoga provides instructions for a wide variety of yoga practices, including poses, breathing practices, and meditations. The introduction provides a general overview of the text as well as several valuable recommendations and cautions; each chapter begins with an overview of the practices described within as well as advice on adjusting them to your specific needs. The authors give clear illustrations and simple instructions for each pose, pranayama and meditation, then provide a large number of recommended sequences for different times of the day, different activities and different mental and physical ailments. The lay-flat format makes it easy to refer to during practice, and the inspiring quotes that begin each chapter help underscore the practice's spiritual qualities for those who haven't yet immersed themselves in yoga philosophy. Few, if any, other yoga manuals offer such a wealth of information within their covers.


3 of 3 found the following review helpful:

A Yoga Medicine ChestAug 07, 2007
By Book dallier
Essential Yoga is like a medicine cabinet for yoga practitioners. Inside are simple, precise, and thorough single-page guides to about 100 essential poses, warm-ups, meditations, and breath exercises...plus, what is far more important, two chapters full of creative and unique routines and sequences. Each pose is simply and crisply illustrated, and detailed instructions are given. (It's particularly nice that the book is sewn to lie flat, a feature which makes it quite easy to use while actually practicing! This nicely supports the premise of the book, which is to be a text that is for the practice of actual yoga--and not just "about" it.) Each pose includes English and Hindi names, suggested modifications and variations, and a sentence or two about its physical and mental benefits. What really makes this sublimely practical book a "medicine chest", however, are the sequences. From short vinyasas (everything from Camel to Sun and Moon Salutations) to complete workouts of several lengths and intensity levels, the back chapters of this book contain everything you need to begin a home practice for all moods and occasions. Best of all are the short series geared to various physical goals and/or ailments (from "Biking", "Golf" and "Skiing" workouts to programs for "Toxin Flush", "Cold Prevention" and "Depression")--they're effective and eminently doable.


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