Breath: the Essence of Yoga: A guide to inner stillness [Paperback]

Yoga has never been more popular. Celebrities such as Madonna and Sting are huge fans. Geri Halliwell firmly maintains her new toned figure is due to regular yoga sessions. Confusingly, this ancient form of body work can be practised in many different ways. If power, dynamic or Ashtanga yoga sound complicated and too much like hard work then this new book could be just what you need. Breath, The Essence of Yoga is a straightforward introduction to the importance of breathing in yoga. Author Sandra Sabatini has spent the past 25 years developing this gentle yet intense approach to yoga which has it roots in the classical Indian tradition of Ivengar. The book is split up into seven chapters which take the reader through the process of learning how to breathe properly and then how to incorporate this with simple yoga positions. Each chapter is illustrated with practical, easy-to-follow black and white line drawings. The book's main aim is to show that that if you learn how to reconnect with the breath you can experience enormous benefits such as renewed energy and a greater calmness. Sabatini explains 'the breath is the key that can open thousands of doors'. Whether you are a complete beginner or already practice yoga, this simple book will provide you with a deeper appreciation of the benefits of calm, conscious breathing.--Meg Slyfield

A fabulous book which introduces you to the importance of breathing in yoga practice.

As water purifies the skin, so the breath is capable of cleansing your whole being. And as you reconnect with the breath through effortless observation and increased awareness, a door to the unexpected is opened. There are infinite discoveries and benefits to be experienced: a feeling of lightness, renewed energy, a greater calmness and clarity of mind. The breath begins to cleanse and purify at a deep level.

This book is full of insights and images, distilled from Sandra Sabatini’s yoga classes, to help you learn how to listen to the breath and how to approach some simple positions. Whether you are a complete beginner or already practice some form of bodywork, these subtle, gentle suggestions can guide you naturally to a deeper appreciation of the essence of yoga.

This gentle but intense approach to yoga, which has been developed by Sandra for the last 25 years, has its roots in the classical Indian tradition of Iyengar. Her reputation, due to her subtle style and inspired teaching, has spread by word of mouth and to date she has chosen to keep a low profile.

Breath: The Essence of Yoga takes you on a wonderful journey of breathing and yoga techniques for health and peace of mind. Beautifully written and presented it will be a book to cherish and enjoy.

Breath: The Essence of Yoga is divided into 6 sections:

Preparing the Ground
Breathing Insights
Classic Breathing
Images
Yoga
At the end – Rest

'the pause at the end of the exhalation
and the pause at the end of the inhalation
is a special place where nothing happens
or nothing seems to happen

yet the old air is traveling away
and the new breath is ready to move in

in that space in between there is silence
more than anything else silence . . . and space' --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

As water purifies your skin, so the breath is capable of cleaning your whole being.

And as you reconnect with the breath through effortless observation and increased awareness, a door to the unexpected is opened.

There are infinite discoveries and benefits to be experienced: a feeling of lightness, renewed energy a greater calmness and clarity of mind. The breath begins to clean and purify at a deep level.

This book is full of insights and images, distilled from Sandra Sabatini's yoga classes, to help you learn how to listen to the breath and how to approach some simple positions.

Whether you are a complete beginner or already practice some form of bodywork, these subtle, gentle suggestions can guide you naturally to a deeper appreciation of the essence of yoga.

Sandra Sabatini trained for 25 years with one of the world’s leading yoga teachers Vanda Scaravelli, who herself was trained by B.K.S. Iyenagar.
Sandra lives in Italy and teaches full time in Europe, USA, Scandinavia and the Middle East.