The Art of Vinyasa takes a unique look at Ashtanga yoga as meditation
in motion that produces profound inner change. Two of the most
well-respected teachers of the Ashtanga style of yoga, Richard Freeman
and Mary Taylor, explore this rigorous practice not as a gymnastic feat
but as a meditative form. They reveal that doing the practice - and
particularly the vinyasa, or the breath-synchonized movements - in
such a deep and focused way allows practitioners to experience a
profound awakening of the body and mind. It also develops an adaptable,
flexible practice that can last a lifetime.
Freeman and Taylor give an in-depth explanation of form, alignment, and
anatomy and how they work together in the practice. They also present a
holistic approach to asana practice that includes an awareness of the
subtle breath and seamlessly merges yoga philosophy with practical
technique.
Unlike other books on Ashtanga, The Art of Vinyasa does not follow the
linear pattern of the sequences of postures that are the hallmark of
Ashtanga yoga. Instead it interlinks the eight limbs - yama and
niyama (ethical practices); asana (postures); pranayama
(breathing); pratyahara (nongrasping of the senses); dharana
(concentration); dhyana (meditation); and samadhi (harmony,
insight) - and shows how to establish an internally rooted yoga
practice.
