Relax and unwind with yoga - Swami Saradananda

Is this the right book for me?

Relax and Unwind with Yoga is designed to help you reap the full benefits of yoga for practical and emotional wellbeing by following a daily routine that doesn't require a huge amount of commitment. Ideal for the beginner with no previous experience, it outlines all the basic/key exercises (asanas) you will need in addition to giving you information on how, where and when to practice them.

There is plenty of insight into the philosophical background of yoga and helpful tips on diet and lifestyle. Supporting materials, including a practice diary, will allow you to record your progress, while a list of teachers and sources for taking it further will be useful to all those who wish to deepen their practice.

Relax and Unwind with Yoga includes:

Chapter 1: Introduction

The philosophy and goals of yoga

The main paths of yoga - which one is for you?

Hatha yoga: ancient techniques for a modern lifestyle

Benefits of hatha yoga

Chapter 2: Starting your practice

Starting your practice

When and how often

Where and with whom

Who can practise yoga

What you will need

Safety measures

Chapter 3: The exercises - asanas

Warming up

Standing and balancing: connect fully with your body

Sitting and forward bending: focusing within

Back bends: opening up to the world

Twists: wringing out negativity

Inverted poses: attain a new vision of life

Relaxation techniques: winding down

Chapter 4: Pranayama - working with breath

Why do pranayama?

Styles of breathing

Kapalabhati: purifying the mind and body

Nasal cleansing exercises to enhance your breathing exercises

Chapter 5: Yoga lifestyles

Moderation in all things

Keeping your life in balance

Yamas - your relationship with the world

Niyamas - your relationship with yourself

The yogic diet

Chapter 6: Meditation - retraining your mind to let go

What is meditation?

Why meditate?

The practicalities

How to sit

Using your breath

Focusing on sound

Chakras - bringing your awareness to your higher energy centers

Tratak - candle gazing

Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and added features:

Not got much time?

One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.

Author insights

Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the authors' many years of experience.

Test yourself

Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.

Extend your knowledge

Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of Yoga.

Five things to remember

Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.

Try this

Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.