Yoga for the Three Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice As an Art Form, a Physical Therapy, and a Guiding Philosophy [Kindle Edition]

1. The philosophical information is quite dense and not always accessible. While the author's English is quite good, it is not always completely "comfortable" and people may become confused. For instance, he frequently uses terms most westerners will not be familiar with (names of deities, etc.), only some of which are in the glossary. If you are looking for an accessible, down to earth philosophy that will enrich your asana practice, read T.V.K. Desikachar's "The Heart of Yoga." If you are looking for a richer, less watered down version of this information, and are willing to put up with a less clear format, then this book may be preferable.

2. This is not a good presentation of the asanas. Many asanas are described but not pictured, and in addition, there is not a lot of detailed instructional information about most of the poses. In his defense, Ramaswami says that he is only cataloguing the asanas for reference purposes and that they should be learned only under the supervision of a teacher. All of the above applies equally to the section on pranayama. The presentation of vinyasakrama is the only bridge I've seen between Desikachar's viniyoga and Pattabhi Jois's Ashtanga yoga. Basically, it involves starting all poses in samasthiti and using the sun salutation poses to connect them, but with emphasis on the slower, gentler and personally customized routines that characterize viniyoga. This content came to me as a truly wonderful gift.

So, I would recommend this book only to people who are looking for a source of thought provoking yoga philosophy and especially those who want all the information they can get about Krishnamacharya's yoga system(s). This book will greatly enrich most aspects of your practice, however, it is best to approach it as a supplemental rather than primary source of information.

Yoga for the Three Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice as an Art Form, A Physical Therapy, and a Guiding Philosophy is the result of his life's work.

He begins with personal information on how he began learning from the incomparable T. Krisnamacarya as a child, followed by descriptions of the various kinds of yoga and the philosophies underlying each. He says that his book "follows the thought progression of Patanjali, author of the Yogasutras, but it adds material gathered from my guru and from other authentic yoga texts."

Ramaswami includes the history of the development of yoga, and discusses the roles of chanting and scripture study in making yoga part of lifestyle, rather than just a routine. He also devotes large sections to the importance of proper breathing while performing the yoga postures. Correct breathing "helps one to reach and work on the deeper muscles and organs inside the body, which may not be possible otherwise." Additionally it aids in relaxation and concentration.

The remainder of the book describes the yoga postures. Each has detailed written instructions, as well as photographs. Ramaswami notes whether each posture can be safely done by those with physical ailments. He includes a chapter on yoga practices for pregnant women.

While he does include basic yoga postures and complete instructions, Ramaswami notes that his book is not for beginners, but rather for those who have been practicing for some time and/or have a knowledgeable teacher to guide them.

He says that "my goal is to portray the three aspects of yoga-as art, physical therapy, and philosophy-that are appropriate for the young, for the middle-aged, and for retirees, in that order." Readers will discover that he met this goal in Yoga for the Three Stages of Life.