Book Review - Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha

Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha is one of the most authoritative and renowned book on Yoga.

This books is authored by Swami Satyananda who is the founder of International Yoga Fellowship and Bihar School of Yoga in 1964.

He has written more than 80 books and has been writing and practicing yoga for more than 60 years.

Before I bought this book, I was mainly following BKS Iyengar's Light On Yoga. Iyengar's methodology is based more on precision. This book brings an all together different perspective on practice of Yoga.

As the title suggests, there are four topics covered.
Asana - The yogic postures;
Pranayama - The breathing exercises;
Mudra - Various combination of joining the fingers or shifting the awareness and control on a particular organ;
Bandhas - The yogic locks. For more information read Bandhas in Yoga - Yogic Locks

Uniqueness of "Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha"

1. Associates the Chakras and the Poses
An interesting aspect is this book explains the Chakras very well, their location and the role. In each of the pose of the book, there is explanation about which Chakra to concentrate on during holding of a pose. Doing this enhances the experience and the benefit of the pose. This is quite unique to this book and I did not find this information in any other book.

Chakras are energy centers in the body and as per ancient texts there are seven Chakras in the body starting from the pelvic region to the brain; following the path of spine.

2. Grouping of the Asana
The book has grouped various types of poses together. For example, the forward bends, back bends or the inverted postures. Before each group, there is excellent explanation about the group and the relevance, its effects and benefits. There is also major grouping - Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. Readers can chooses the poses based on their levels.

3. Benefits and Contra-indication
Along with each asana, both benefits and contra-indications are mentioned, which helps the reader in making an informed choice about practicing the asana. Therapeutic effects of each posture is also mentioned.

4. Use of Diagrams instead of Pictures
Usually books show pictures of the yogis next to the explanation. However this book uses diagrams. Sometimes when we see a person's image practicing the pose we may be overwhelmed, but when diagram is there, we are not intimidated. Diagrams make the poses look easier.

5. Yogic Cleansing Techniques (Shatkarmas)
I love this section. This explains various cleansing techniques from Jal Neti to Shankha Prakshalan. It explains in detail how various cleansing methods need to be followed and their benefits and precautions. This section alone is worth the price of the book.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves yoga, or would like to know and learn yoga as well as to advanced practitioners. If you want to buy this book you can buy from Amazon Here. If you buy this book Amazon, Headfirstyoga would benefit from that.