Hatha Yoga

The author of the popular "Ashtanga Yoga" now presents all the fundamentals of another forceful form of yoga that will tone the body, clear the mind, and enhance the spirit: Hatha. With 100 color photographs for instruction and inspiration, Juliet Pegrum demonstrates Hatha's asanas (postures) and pranayama (breath control), and reveals why this type of yoga was considered a gift to mankind from the Hindu god Shiva. The program combines static and dynamic poses that benefit the body in every way. The static ones massage the internal organs, stimulate the glands, and bring stillness to the mind. The dynamic combinations enliven circulation, remove energy blocks, and warm up the body in preparation for more difficult asanas. Both types are broken down and thoroughly explained: preliminary stretches; standing poses; cool and refreshing sitting poses; spirals to remove stiffness; balances that develop lightness and grace; restorative supine and prone positions; invigorating back bends; and inversions that provide a new perspective on the world. The pranayamas help tame the mind, while the meditation practice breaks down mental barriers. A suggested daily practice makes it easy for beginners to start their journey into the beautiful world of Hatha. About the AuthorJuliet Pegrum is an experienced Ashtanga practitioner who lives and works in New York, where she gives classes. In 1984 she began practicing Hatha, Iyengar, and Sivananda yoga. Ten years later, she met Master Shri Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, South India, who introduced her to the Ashtanga system; now she spends several months each year in India studying with him. She has taught and demonstrated yoga in Jaipur, India, and Santiago, Chile.