I have been using this book as a companion to my Bikram method practice. It is well written with succint explanations and great pictures of the 26 asanas in the Bikram method. The author also details the bio-mechanics of each asana including alignment under the Hot Tips section. All in all, the book's a good value and does a far better job of explaining the how-to's of each asasa compared to Bikram's own book. Highly recommended for Bikram Yoga practioners. Hot Yoga: Energizing, Rejuvenating, Healing
I write this review as one who actually practiced at the downtown NYC studio owned and operated by Ms. Barnett, (before she relocated back to the Southwest last year, sadly). Ms. Barnett's closing of her studio was sad for me because not only was it merely four blocks from where I work, but it was a wonderful little studio with an intimate atmosphere. I've enjoyed practicing at other studios, but they tend to be bigger and to lack something of the feeling Ms. Barnett's studio engendered. Not only was Ms. Barnett an excellent instructor, but she had assembled a terrific team of teachers, each of whom brought his or her own unique positive energy to class. Ah, well.
Ms. Barnett's book displays the same virtues as her actual instruction: patient, detailed, in-depth information to help students at every level go further in their practice overall and in each posture specifically. I do not think this book replaces Bikram's own, but it stands as a worthy supplement to it; his book offers sufficient but more generalized instruction, and is best employed as a home teaching aid for one who is practicing at a studio. Ms. Barnett's book is written from the perspective of a Health professional, (Ms. Barnett is a nurse), and her knowledge of anatomy allows her to give precise instructions as to what to do with one's body to better allow one to advance toward greater achievement of the ideal postures. Her book, I think, will be best comprehended by someone who has practiced Bikram yoga for a little while, or who is already familiar with Bikram's own book.
Also, the models in Ms. Barnett's book are not just idealized physical fitness models hired to illustrate the poses, but were actual students at Ms. Barnett's studio. Although I'm not as familiar with the female model, the male model seen here was often in classes I took at the studio, and he was quite good at his practice. A note of encouragement for any who think they may lack the aptitude to practice this yoga, or who may think they're neither strong nor limber enough to go very far with it: the male model, good as he was at his practice, would occasionally fall out of his poses and have to start over, just as any of the rest of us would. The point is, we're all at OUR point along the journey to achieving a better practice, and the only way to grow in our practice is to push ourselves past our comfort zones, and try to go beyond what we know we can do. Inevitably, we will stumble and fumble in our first efforts to step past our established levels of achievement, but, with practice, we will find ourselves comfortable and able to do that which was previously too difficult for us.
Any practitioner of Bikram yoga is well advised to have this book in their home library.
Have been going to hot yoga classes 4-5 days a week for the past three months, so you can classify me as a novice. What I have noticed is this book really helped me attain better form as I incorporated it into the verbal instructions given in the class. One area I think that could be improved on, however, is all of the pictures are taken from a side view and clearly a front/back view of the positions would help. Also, some of the text instructions are hard to decipher when it comes to understanding a position. Overall, this book has helped my practice and I refer to it often.
I wanted a book to show the IDEAL pose, so I'd know what to work toward. Here, many of the photos of the poses are actually incorrect when compared to the dialogue of Bikram. AS stated in an earlier review, these are yoga students, not champions, but I'd like to see, as do you I'm sure, what the pose looks like when executed with precision and expertise. Most beginners would not even realize what was incorrect about the photos (hence, all the good reviews), but after years of Bikrams dialogue drummed into my head, I am quite surprised that she even published these photos. If you are looking for a book to help you with an activity you can do at home, alone, in your own time, please know that it would NEVER substitute for a regular practice in a studio. Plus,I have no idea how one would learn yoga from a book. Save your $, and use it on a class instead :)
The book does not really explain the postures in detail. I was looking for something a bit more detailed, really explaining each posture.
Might be suitable for absolute beginners who just want to get started
Not enough posture alignment emphasis. I would recommend that instead of using pictures of real people practicing, have illustration sketches showing "ideal" posture alignment instead. I don't meant to criticize those in the pictures. They do have decent practice, but I some times practice with the 2 time Bikram World Champion Cynthia in San Jose, CA; and I have seen what "ideal" look like. - Fitness - Asanas'
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