Jivamukti Yoga

The long-awaited, complete guide to the popular, vigorous American method of yoga that is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom and scriptures “In this day and age of health and fitness trends, it is assuring to know that Sharon and David encourage their students to draw inspiration from the classical texts of Yoga and timeless scriptural sources. ”—Sri Swami Satchidananda Creators of the extremely popular Jivamukti Yoga method and cofounders of the New York City studios where it is taught, Sharon Gannon and David Life present their unique style of yoga for the first time in book form. As they explain their intensely physical and spiritual system of flowing postures, they provide inspiring expert instruction to guide you in your practice. Unlike many books about yoga, Jivamukti Yoga focuses not only on the physical postures but also on how they evolved—the origins of the practices in yoga’s ancient sacred texts and five-thousand-year-old traditions—the psychotherapeutic benefits that accrue with a steady practice, and the spiritual power that is set free when energy flows throughout the mind and body. Jivamukti Yoga, which means “soul liberation,” guides your body and soul into spiritual freedom, physical strength, peace of mind, better health, and Self-realization–the ultimate goal of any practice. Gannon and Life help you understand each of the practices that comprise the yoga path to enlightenment: AHIMSA–The Way of Compassion: choosing nonviolence, respecting all life, practicing vegetarianism, living free of prejudice ASANA–The Way of Connection to the Earth: postures and sequences, breathing, transforming energy, understanding the bandhas KARMA–The Way of Action: creating good karma, giving thanks NADAM–The Way of Sacred Music: appreciating the sacred sounds of yoga MEDITATION–The Way of the Witness: how to sit still and move inward BHAKTI–The Way of Devotion to God: living with love, grace, and peace Whatever yoga you practice, Jivamukti Yoga will help you to strengthen and deepen that practice and lead you onto a path of spiritual clarity and self-discovery. “If there is only one book you read about the practice of Yoga, this should be the one. . . . This book is for anyone who wishes to find transformation through Yoga. I’m grateful for their work and teaching.”—Stephan Rechtschaffen, MD, Co-founder & CEO, Omega Institute

The founders of Jivamukti Yoga outline the fundamental principles of the assist, and how to apply them in practice and service to others. The benefits of both giving and receiving an assist—the extraordinary mind/body/spirit connection between yoga teacher and student—depend on knowing what an assist is, and fully understanding the method of Jivamukti itself. Though “corrections”—with teachers who fixed students’ mistakes—had evolved to “adjustments,” the world-renowned founders of the Jivamukti Yoga method recognized this still suggested that changes to one’s technique were necessary. In this book, they use “assist” to communicate the idea of two beings interacting on various levels of consciousness to bring into focus the five central tenets of Jivamukti: Shastra (or scripture), devotion, nonviolence, music, and meditation. From cultivating trust and patience to final relaxation and massage, this step-by-step, fully illustrated guide—featuring dozens of asanas—explores the giving of yoga as an art, a flowing dance of body, breath, and energy between two connected beings. Whether we receive or give, an assist is an active process in the resolution of a relationship between teacher and student, a microcosm of the flowing interrelation among all people, and all species.

From the co-founder of the yoga method that launched yoga into the mega-popular mind-body practice that it is today (the Jivamukti method), here is a simple guide to developing your own individualized daily spiritual practice for greater peace and well-being. This powerful little book from legendary yoga teacher Sharon Gannon shows readers how to design their very own daily spiritual practice, incorporating yoga poses and practices, meditation, blessings, and other spiritual practices, to begin one's day in a positive and life-affirming place. While many people experience yoga only in yoga studios, Gannon explains that it is highly beneficial to have a private spiritual practice that can be done at home. Replete with how-to instructions on the ten simple yoga poses Gannon recommends readers do for health and flexibility, as well as guidance on meditation, blessings, and awareness exercises that can be added to the mix, this book will help readers infuse their day with greater focus, compassion, and joyfulness.

From a cofounder of Jivamukti Yoga, a guide to how the spiritual practice of yoga enriches both planetary and personal health—includes vegan recipes. In this book, the co-creator of the Jivamukti Yoga method explores the intersection between the spiritual practice of yoga, physical health, care for the planet, and a peaceful coexistence with other animals and nature. Through clear and accessible language, Sharon Gannon unpacks the wisdom of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, one of the oldest and most revered texts focused on the philosophy of yoga, and draws a fascinating course to greater enlightenment for the contemporary practitioner. With yama, or restraint, the Yoga Sutras outline the first step on the path to spiritual liberation through five ethical principles that help guide our relationships with the world around us: Ahimsa teaches us how to avoid personal suffering through not harming others, while satya reveals how telling the truth allows us to be better listened to. Through asteya, or nonstealing, we learn the secret of wealth. Brahmacharya reveals how refraining from sexual misconduct leads to health and vitality, and finally, aparigraha opens our eyes to the ways in which greed holds us back from true happiness and is destroying the planet. Yoga and Veganism shines a light on these five guiding principles, demonstrating how the practice of yoga is tied to an ethical vegan lifestyle, which opens the path to both physical wellness and spiritual enlightenment. Featuring a selection of delicious recipes from the author along with personal essays from individuals whose lives have been transformed by veganism—including filmmaker Kip Andersen (Cowspiracy) and Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA—Yoga and Veganism provides a framework for yoga students and teachers looking to bring their asana practice into alignment with the philosophy at the heart of the discipline, as well as with the Earth around them and all of the beings within it.

More than 200 delicious vegan recipes from the world-renowned founder of the Jivamukti yoga method and the New York City Jivamuktea Café Since 1984, Jivamukti yoga has been synonymous with a new way of living: peacefully, healthfully, and consciously. Jivamukti’s dedicated instructors and message of kindness have inspired a global revolution. In 2006, Sharon Gannon and David Life opened the Jivamuktea Café to complement their yoga school as a living expression of how compassionate spiritual activism can be put to practical use. It, too, was an immediate success. The peaceful ambiance, the camaraderie, and, most of all, the delicious, hearty fare struck a chord with patrons who were thrilled to eliminate meat and dairy from their diet without sacrificing taste. Thousands of customers—including Russell Simmons, award-winning film director Darren Aronofsky, and Eco Spokesmama Chloé Jo Davis—have become devoted fans of Gannon’s cruelty-free burritos, chocolate mousse, and flower salads. Now, for the first time, Gannon presents the secrets behind the café's acclaimed menu—and also showcases her own home cooking, with recipes she’s been making for family and friends for decades. Stalwart vegans—as well as the millions of vegetarians and omnivores who eat vegan part-time for its health and environmental benefits—will embrace Gannon’s accessible, delicious, and spiritually powerful recipes.

In this book, a companion to An Offering of Leaves, much-loved Jivamukti Yoga teacher Ruth Lauer-Manenti ("Lady Ruth") offers over forty more of the "dharma talks" that she gives at the beginning of each yoga class. Her reflections-complete with the Sanskrit verses that are the source of her studies, as well as the English transliteration and translation-are at once poignant and practical, and both minutely observed and expansive in their implications for our inner and outer lives. These teachings on yogic principles open up the emotional and spiritual pathways that allow us to deepen our yoga practice and go to the essence of the ancient wisdom contained within.

Since 1960, more than 1 million people have used this classic guide to tap the incredible power of yoga. The attractive new edition, in a new size, will appeal to a wide audience of contemporary yoga students.

Experience the power of Hatha Yoga as a tool for spiritual transformation. Providing symbolic and mythological context for each asana, the Hidden Language method encourages you to take Hatha beyond the physical. Explore twenty-two asanas through symbol and metaphor. Spiritualize your Hatha practice.