Books and Web Resources

The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice
by T. K. V. Desikachar
The first yoga text to outline a step-by-step sequence for developing a complete practice according to viniyoga. Desikachar has based his method on his father's, Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, fundamental concept of viniyoga, which maintains that practices must be continually adapted to the individual's changing needs to achieve the maximum therapeutic value. Desikachar discusses all the elements of yoga--poses and counterposes, conscious breathing, meditation, and philosophy--and shows how the yoga student may develop a practice tailored to his or her current state of health, age, occupation, and lifestyle.

Health, Healing and Beyond: Yoga and the Living Tradition of Krishnamacharya
by T. K. V. Desikachar
The long-awaited biographical profile and exploration of the works of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, a teacher of many of Yoga's greatest exponents - including B.K.S. Iyengar, Indra Devi, and J.P.S. Pattabhi Jois. It is the story of dedication to a single purpose- to place the benefits of Yoga at the service of community.
This lively, affectionate account, by Krishnamacharya’s son T.K.V. Desikachar, traces the near-mythic labors of scholarhsip that equipped Krishnamacharya with an unparalleled mastery of India’s ancient traditions. In the years following India’s Independence, until Krishnamacharya’s death in 1989 at the age of 100, his efforts were concentrated on adapting, even revolutionizing, Yogic practice for modern life. He swept aside ancient prohibitions against certain Yogic practices by women, and innovated therapeutic treatments for respiratory, cardiac, stroke, and injury victims, as well as new therapies for mental illness and disabilities. His great mission was to make Yoga available to each individual, regardless of age, sex, race, culture, station in life, andbelief- or non-belief.

Yoga for Wellness: Healing with the Timeless Teachings of Viniyoga
by Gary Kraftsow
Mainstream America is finally catching on to what Eastern countries have known for thousands of years--that yoga is not only a great, low-impact way to increase flexibility and reduce stress, it is also useful in healing any number of afflictions, from common aches and pains to chronic diseases and emotional setbacks. In this easy to follow guide for practitioners at all levels, America's leading teacher of Viniyoga emphasizes the physical as well as the spiritual components of healing through yoga. Beginning with a general introduction, he then includes case studies and specific yoga sequences designed to address individual ailments. Best of all, each step of each posture in a sequence is clearly illustrated with its own photograph. The exercises in this book are truly transformative and certain to help those searching for alternatives to mainstream medicine and those looking for a way of becoming more involved in their own physical well-being. A fully illustrated, step-by-step guide to achieve wellness through Viniyoga.
Founder of the American Viniyoga Institute, Gary Kraftsow is one of the few Westerners certified to train teachers and therapists in the Viniyoga lineage of T. Krishnamacharya and T. K. V. Desikachar. He conducts seminars and retreats throughout the United States and Europe and makes his home in Maui, Hawaii.

Yoga for Life: A Practice Manual of Breath and Movement for Every Body
by Margaret D. Pierce, Martin G. Pierce
Richly illustrated with over 400 full-color photos, this practical book is designed for everybody. The authors show posture adaptations for different body types and a myriad of programs for different individual needs. In addition to a progressive easy-to-follow 8-week series of lessons, the book offers innovative ways to use yoga throughout the day.

Yoga for Body, Breath, and Mind: A Guide to Personal Reintegration
by A. G. Mohan
Yoga combines movement with conscious breathing to relieve the mind of daily stress and to build the body's strength and stamina. Mohan's approach is breath-oriented. He focuses on relaxing the body through proper breathing, correct mental attitude, and fluid movements which increase the body's flexibility, strength, and inner stability. In this book, he sheds clear insight on the yoga philosophy, meditation, yoga postures (asanas), and breathing (parnayama) that allows anyone to find a deep sense of relaxation and well-being. Over 300 illustrations and photographs will help you develop your own yoga practice from 20 essential asanas which can be adapted to anyone's body shape, age, level of fitness, and experience.

The Essence of Yoga: Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
by Bernard Bouanchaud
This book offers invaluable guidance to those seeking a deeper understanding of their true nature. The Yoga Sutras distill the essentials of an integrated system of physical and spiritual discipline. All too often, Westerners bypass the philosophy and practice the physical postures. But it is impossible to authentically practice the physical posttures without first having grasped the philosophical underpinnings. This book provides translations of the Sutras, along with questions and commentary.