A Woman's Book of
YOGA
A
Woman's Book of
YOGA
A Journal
for Health and Self-Discovery
LOUISE TAYLOR
Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc.
Boston • Rutland, Vermont • Tokyo
Published in 1993 by
CHARLES E. TUTTLE COMPANY, INC.
of Rutland, Vermont, and Tokyo, Japan,
with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive,
North Clarendon, VT 05759 U.S.A.
Copyright © 1993 Louise Taylor
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Taylor, Louise.
A woman’s book of yoga: a journal for health and self-discovery / by
Louise Taylor.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0-8048-1829-0; ISBN 978-1-4629-1829-4 (ebook)
1. Yoga. I. Title.
| RA781.7.T29 1993 | 93-21380 |
| 613.7’046’082--dc20 | CIP |
Design by Julie Gray, J. Campbell Design
00 99 98 97 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4
Printed in Singapore
Acknowledgments
With gratitude for all of her fantastic computer help, thanks to my daughter, Donna Taylor. I also want to thank all of my friends and associates at the Healing Arts Center, who have been so loving and caring.
Contents
Origins of Yoga
The Paths of Yoga
How Yoga Can Benefit You
Getting Started
Helpful Knowledge For Hatha Yoga Practice
Your Journal
New Understandings: The Importance of Stretching and Flexibility
Warm-ups
Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar)
Head Rolls
Shoulder Rotations
Foot Limbering Exercises
Shoulder Clasp (Veerasana)
Spinal Rock
Butterfly Pose (Bhadrasana)
Pose of a Child (Balasana)
Corpse Pose (Shavasana)
Insight: Discovering New Words and Ideas
New Understandings: Yogic Breathing (Pranayama)
Asanas
Double Angle Pose (Dwi Konasana)
The Fish (Matsyasana)
Your Program
Insight: Coordinating Your Mind and Body in Harmony
New Understandings: Regaining Your Vitality Through Relaxation
Asanas
Foot-Balancing Pose (Padaviramasana)
Upright Head-to-Knee Pose (Utthita Janu Sirshasana)
Your Program
Insight: The Benefits of Relaxing With Music
New Understandings: Yin, Yang, and the Flow of Prana
Asanas
Leg Pulls (Supta Padasana)
Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana)
Your Program
Insight: How You Become Your Thoughts
New Understandings: The Blessedness of Good Sleep
Asanas
The Boat (Naukasana)
Bridge or Shoulder Pose (Kandharasana)
Your Program
Insight: Seven Days to New Ways of Thinking
New Understandings: Yoga, Sports, and You
Asanas
The Lion (Simhasana)
The Triangle (Trikonasana)
Your Program
Insight: The Magic of Palming
New Understandings: How to Use Yoga Throughout Your Day
Asanas
The Locust (Shalabhasana)
The Bow (Dhanurasana)
Your Program
Insight: The Peaceful Prayer Pose Meditation
New Understandings: The Ancient Sanskrit Language
Asanas
Cat Stretch (Marjariasana)
Head-to-Knee Pose (Janushirasana)
Your Program
Insight: Looking at Your New Dimensions