YOGA'S INCREASING POPULARITY has resulted in an over-abundance of DVD's, books, and Websites. To try to help sort out the useful from the rest, I've listed a few in each category that are my personal favorites.
The DVD's and books can be found on amazon.com by searching their titles.
With over a thousand yoga videos available, it can be hard to know where to start. So here are six of my favorites, listed (somewhat arbitrarily) from the easiest to hardest.
These first two DVDs are Goldhil studio's 2003 re-issues of Lilias Folan's PBS-TV productions. That they were re-issued, against all their competition, speaks to their worth. These are instruction, not just workouts, as she tells us how, and why, to do it. (The DVDs also offer a no-narration option, if wanted.) She even throws in just a bit of self-massage and accupressure. Like most DVDs, chapters in each session are separately accessible.
Lilias! AM & PM Yoga Workouts for Seniors is for anybody who spends too much time on the couch. The two 55-minute gentle sessions are designed for novices, as she guides us through the postures and motivates us with their benefits. The AM session emphasizes stretching and the PM stress-relief.
Lilias! Complete Yoga Fitness Beginners is a two DVD set, with four 30-35 minute sessions of very accessible instruction: Arms and Abs, Legs and Buns, Cardio Challenge, and Serenity Now. Excellent for beginners and everybody who wants a reminder of the basics of what we're doing.
These next two videos from Gaiam are taught by Rodney Yee, the masterful, thoughtful, Iyengar-style instructor. His workouts are a bit harder than the two from Lilias, and assume some familiarity with the poses.
Back Care Yoga (2004). One hour. A well-paced, three-part program using props such as a chair and blanket. He starts with an emphasis on stretching, moves to strengthening, and finishes with relaxation. The extras are also good — I liked his reminder of how to sit in a chair. For anybody with a back.
Yoga Conditioning for Athletes (2002). Two hours. Here Mr. Yee gives us a sports-directed hour-long workout, including two modified versions, plus six short (eight to ten minute) sport-specific sessions. For everybody, especially those of us who use their body for recreation.
Still offering instruction, but giving more of a workout, these next two videos are from a former collegue and one of my teachers.
Yoga for Women's Health with Colette Crawford (Seattle Holistic Center, 2002). One-hour. Fine workout for beginners and just about everybody else. The thorough instruction (with emphasis on strengthening the body's core) is provided by a personable, very experienced instructor. I'd say that it's not just for "women's health," but for all of us. I recommend it for everyone.
The pleasure of strength with Ana Forrest (Forrest Yoga, 2005). Two hours. Challenging one-hour workout for intermediate/advanced students. Detailed instruction is presented by a yoga master. The extras are worthwhile, too — I enjoyed Playful Partnered Yoga. For those of us seeking real challenge and for anyone looking for inspiration.
Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing (Bantam paperback, 2007) by Yoga Journal medical editor Timothy Mccall, M.D., is earning rave reviews: "a powerfully clear, accessible and practical guide to creating a vibrantly healthy body, mind, and spirit." "The next best thing to having the doctor right there beside you. An instant classic."
I studied with the amazing Sandra Anderson, the author of Yoga: Mastering the Basics (paperback, 2007). About her book one reviewer wrote: "If you have felt frustrated and confused in your search for the simplicity and serenity of basic yoga, look no further." The book covers all aspects of yoga practice.
The Runner's Yoga Book (Rodmell Press, 1990) by Jean Couch is a straightforward and nicely illustrated book for the new practitioner.
Yoga for a New Age: a Modern Approach to Hatha Yoga (Smith Productions 1986) by Bob and Linda Boudreau Smith, is described as "an incredible reference and guide...for people from beginners to advanced practitioners."
The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy, and Practice (Hohm Press, 1998), by Georg Feuerstein, with its 720 pages and many illustrations, is perhaps the most comprehensive overview of the Yoga tradition available.
And for "a well-researched, science-based approach to health and longevity through nutrition," I highly recommend Mitra Ray's book From Here to Longevity: Your Complete Guide for a Long and Healthy Life (Shining Star Publications, 2004).
Last, to cover all areas of alternative healing, I suggest the popular Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Prima Health, 1998) by Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno, both of the widely-respected Bastyr University in Seattle.
Each link opens in a new window, so to return here either close that window or use your task bar. These links were updated in November 2007.
The very useable Yoga Site has lots of information. For example, you'll find a listing of yoga teachers, an interesting yoga FAQ, and an annotated list of yoga organizations.
B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga states that "Yoga is a gift to older people when the recuperative power of the body is declining and resistance to illness is weakened."
The BKS Iyengar Yoga National Association of the US is "committed to the dissemination and promotion of the art, science, and philosophy of yoga according to the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and his family."
Ana Forrest, "creator of Forrest Yoga and founder of the Forrest Yoga Circle...has a unique as well as powerful philosophy and approach toward yoga."
You might enjoy the Website for the Yoga Journal. They have tons of resources hidden away in there.
If you're travelling or new to an area, go first to Yoga Finder to locate a yoga center or teacher.
AND FOR SOURCES WITH A MORE ACADEMIC APPROACH, you could start at these sites:
An excellent introduction to Mind-Body Medicine is provided by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Institute of Health (it's the federal agency). It's also well-worth looking around their first-rate site for more on the leading edge of yoga science.
You can spend hours by starting at the Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine of Columbia University and their Research and Information Resources, which includes a Directory of Databases.
Georg Feuerstein provides an exhaustive but useful Glossary of Yoga Terms in Sanskrit.
And finally, Wikipedia has so many articles on yoga that I'll just direct you to their Yoga Category page.