Awakening The Spine

A revolutionary new method of yoga for overall fitness that teaches "if it hurts, it's wrong'"--from a vibrant 83-year-old master.

Legendary yoga teacher Vanda Scaravelli, who died in 1999 at the age of 91, developed an approach to yoga that is radically different from most forms of yoga taught today. The nature of the practice she taught is subtle, and therefore difficult to grasp, and her own book, Awakening the Spine, inspires through its philosophy and images but does not go into detail when describing the practice of asanas. Notes on Yoga is the first book to explain Scaravelli's approach in full, and is bound to be an indispensable guide to Scaravelli yoga for both students and teachers.During Scaravelli's 40 years of practice she accepted only a small number of individual students, all of whom were teachers. Diane Long and Sophy Hoare were both long-term students; Diane Long was the first of Scaravelli's regular students and studied with her for 23 years.

This classic exploration of the Goddess through time and throughout the world draws on religious, cultural, and archaeological sources to recreate the Goddess religion that is humanity's heritage. Now, with a new introduction and full-colour artwork, t

A revolutionary new method of yoga for overall fitness that teaches "if it hurts, it's wrong'"--from a vibrant 83-year-old master.

A heartfelt and moving recollection by Sandra Sabatini, the author of the classic Breath, of her encounters and training under the guidance of Vanda Scaravelli, whose book Awakening the Spine inspired generations of yoga practitioners. With photographs by David Darom.

Within the context of a larger discussion of Dao Yin, Damo Mitchell teaches and explains the Dragon Dao Yin exercises, a set of four short sequences designed to work with the subtle energies of the spine and lead pathogenic energies out of the body. More 'Yang' in nature than Qi Gong, Dao Yin focuses on outwards movements and strong internal cleansing. The book highlights this important distinction and covers the theory, history and development of Dao Yin exercises, as well as the relationship between Chinese medical theory and Dao Yin training. One chapter is devoted to problems related to stagnation and the flow of Qi, and explains the different causes and forms of stagnation. Later chapters look at breathing patterns and the extension of Yi, opening the joints, and rotating the bones and spine. Damo Mitchell also discusses stillness as the source of movement, the philosophical significance of the Dragon and the pearl, and the means of hardwiring Dao Yin exercises into the energetic body. Central to the discussion is the concept of the spine, and how to wake it up. For the first time in the English language, the Dragon exercises – Awakening, Swimming, Soaring and Drunken – are described in detail, with photographs and step-by-step instructions on each of the exercises as individual therapeutic exercises and as a form.

In Yoga: Awakening the Inner Body, Donald Moyer draws on over thirty years of yoga teaching and practice experience. His groundbreaking work is designed for yoga students and teachers to develop a home practice and to deepen their understanding of all aspects of yoga—the anatomical, the physiological, the mental, and the spiritual. In Part One, "Finding Inner Balance," he offers a comprehensive guide for the practice of yoga’s two most important inverted poses. These two chapters help you select props according to your body type, and suggest ways to check your alignment once you are in the pose. • Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand), including variations and alternatives • Salamba Sirsasana (Headstand), including variations and alternatives Part Two, "Themes and Variations," consists of six chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the upper body. Each chapter begins with an anatomical introducation that establishes the theme to be explored in the subsequent practice sequence. The sequences include standing poses, backbends, twists, inverted poses, forward bends, pranayama (breathing practice), and relaxation. • The Three Diaphragms: balance your three diaphragms (pelvic, respiratory, and thoracic) to facilitate movement and improve breathing • Balance Your Sternum: align your sternum—the manubrium (upper sternum), the sternal body, and the xiphoid process—to free your upper spine • Collarbones, Kidneys, and Groins: discover an effortless way to stabilize the pelvis, open the shoulders, and lengthen the spine • Align Your Shoulder Blades: work with a circular movement of your shoulder blades to create space in your shoulder joints • Stabilize Your Elbows: learn how to strengthen your arms by stabilizing your elbow joints • Strengthen the Base of Your Neck: activate the deeper muscles of your neck for a strong and healthy cervical spine

This book focuses on a key aspect of Nei Gong and Qi Gong which is often ignored in practice; this is the practice of connecting with, feeling and adjusting the energy body directly, using the consciousness. The practice sits somewhere between Qi Gong, meditation and the lesser-known art of Shen Gong, and although it is known in China it has never before been written about in an accessible way in the West. The book contains step-by-step instructions on how to experience the various elements which make up a person's energy body, learning to identify and feel the meridians, and to diagnose imbalances and restore harmony through them. The book contains step-by-step instructions on how to experience the various elements which make up a person's energy body, learning to identify and feel the meridians, and to diagnose imbalances and restore harmony through them. This essential aspect of intermediate and advanced practice will be of interest to Qi Gong and martial arts practitioners as well as to practitioners of Chinese medicine.