Yoga: Mastering the Basics

Sandra Anderson and Rolk Sovik, Psy.D, Himalayan Institute Press, 2001

 

Review by Barbara Briggs, RYT

 

This book has a lot of photographs, including pictures of two asana practice sequences. I particularly like it because it has several variations of the same posture of varying difficulty.  It also has anatomical diagrams of portions of the body in the sections dealing with common problems areas, such as the shoulders, lower back and pelvis.  The cross-references are outstanding; there is a picture of the recommended postures along with a page number on which you can find a full description of the posture in the sections covering each area of the body.  This is incredibly useful for people of all levels.  It is the single best yoga book I have ever purchased, and I refer to it more than to any of the other books I have, my own Teacher Training manual included.  It got the Independent Publisher Outstanding Book of the Year Award in 2001.  I have a copy of this book and can lend it to the studio.  I also suggest a link to  Himalayan Institute.  If we have a book budget, I would recommend buying this book over any of the more arcane or specialized books out there.  The only caution I would give is that it has the “classical” Eight-Point Pose (Ashtanamaskara) on page 177, which I never teach because it places too much strain on the neck and lower back.  I do a modified Four-Point Pose (Chataranga Dandasana) or full Chataranga Dandasana in my classes.   I’ve had whiplash three times, so this is one “classical” pose that I personally think has outlived its usefulness.   The book even has a very helpful description (with pictures) of how to use a Neti pot.