The Inner Life of Asanas

Editor's Pick for March 4, 2008

By Lisa Forrest, Buffalo State Coll. Lib. -- Library Journal, 03/04/2008

Lalitananda, Swami. The Inner Life of Asanas: The Best of Hidden Language Hatha Yoga from Ascent Magazine. Timeless. Mar. 2008. c.120p. photogs. bibliog. ISBN 978-1-932018-19-6. pap. $23.95. HEALTH
Lalitananda, a columnist on Hatha yoga for the award-winning magazine Ascent, here anthologizes her writing into an instructional book focusing on the Hidden Language technique. Stretching both the body’s muscles and the mind’s limits, the Hidden Language approach to Hatha yoga is about understanding asanas, or yoga postures, as mudras, sacred gestures in Hatha yoga that hold "hidden meaning"—thereby allowing psychological investigation of one’s body and mind. Organized into themed chapters according to the fundamental ideas of awareness, choice, action, devotion, and union, the book includes step-by-step instruction, black-and-white photographs, and spiritual reflections for 25 different Hatha yoga poses. Practical, inspiring, and expertly written, it is certain to prove a useful guide, adding deeper spirituality to any level of practice. Most suitable for public or specialized libraries supporting spirituality and health and wellness collections.