Open image in slideshow, The Yoga of Breath: A Step by Step Pranayama by Richard Rosen

The Yoga of Breath: A Step by Step Pranayama by Richard Rosen

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Discover the basics and benefits of breath control—pranayama—and how to incorporate it into your yoga practice

For several thousand years, yogis have drawn on the powerful practice of pranayama, a technique of controlling the breath to maximize prana or life energy. Pranayama has been practiced to rejuvenate the body and as a means of self-study and self-transformation. While most yoga practitioners today focus on asanas, or body postures, a growing number of people are learning the complementary practice of pranayama to deepen and enrich their practice. 

The Yoga of Breath is a guide to learning the fundamentals of pranayama and incorporating them into an existing yoga practice. Rosen's approach is easy to follow with step-by-step descriptions of breath and body awareness exercises accompanied by clear illustrations. The book also covers the history and philosophy of pranayama, offers useful practice tips, and teaches readers how to use props to enhance the exercises.

Rosen, a nationally known yoga teacher and contributing editor to Yoga Journal, has written an excellent guide to the yogic art of pranayama, which translates from Sanskrit as the lengthening of the breath or control of the life force. Due to its powerful effects, pranayama is traditionally learned under the guidance of a teacher. This book provides a safe introduction to pranayama for modern yoga students. Drawing on classic Indian texts, Rosen clearly explains the complex philosophy underlying pranayama. He leads the reader on a journey of self-discovery by providing several interesting exercises to develop body and breath awareness. Strongly influenced by modern yoga master BKS Iyengar's Light on Pranayama (1981), Rosen incorporates many of Iyengar's innovations, such as the use of yoga props and reclined positions in his treatise. Full of practical advice, this is an expert and accessible introduction to the mystic art of controlled respiration. Jane Tuma
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Review

"Richard Rosen's new book The Yoga of Breath is a welcome addition to the few pranayama literature issued in the past decade or so; it will help dedicated yogis keep their spiritual instruments properly strung and finely tuned." —Yoga Journal 

"Richard Rosen has written a beautiful and substantial work on pranayama. It is at once modern and classical. Brilliantly engaging and accessible, it is a guide to practice that can become a companion for life. I recommend it unequivocally to students and teachers alike." —Patricia Walden, cofounder of the B. K. S. Iyengar Yoga Studio 

"Pranayama is a vitally important part of traditional Hatha-Yoga. Richard Rosen has rendered a most valuable yeoman service by making this widely neglected practice accessible to Western practitioners. I highly recommend this work." —George Feuerstein, Ph.D., author of The Shambhala Guide to Yoga 

"Richard Rosen acts as our pranayama tour guide by honestly sharing his own travels, both inward and outward. And he has done it the way all great teachers do: He points to the map and then makes sure we go on our own journey and don't just keep looking at his finger. The Yoga of Breath shows us how to find time, how to work with our mind, cultivate patience, experience more spaciousness, and be playful—all that by breathing in and breathing out. I'm inspired!" —Cyndi Lee, director of the Om Yoga Center
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shambhala; Illustrated edition (Aug. 13 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1570628890
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1570628894
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 425 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 2.21 x 22.68 cm