|
|
| Just wondered what people's opinions are of the book?
|
|
| |
|
| There are two. Do you mean the blue paperback, or the newer orange hardcover? |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 73
Location: The City of Brotherly Love | There are three. The original red book from the 70's I believe. |
|
| |
|
| it's entertaining |
|
| |
|
| I own and enjoy all three! (Though I loaned my blue book to someone last winter and haven't seen it since... hmmm....) The red and blue books are mostly the same, and will give you a lot of information on the postures. They're funny, chatty, readable, and helpful in understanding the 26 and 2. The newer orange book gives the background on Bikram's life and the larger yoga system. It's not good for learning about the postures, but it's great for storytelling and yoga philosophy. It explains how the class came to be, and what "Bikram's beginning Hatha yoga class" has to do with Yoga as a whole. |
|
| |
|
| I've got the Blue Book. I really liked the interludes between the pose descriptions. Some of it was hilarious, and there are some good tips/insights there as well. I also like the pictures in it, but with a bit more knowledge, I would now advise people to take the pictures with a grain of salt.
The best example is the cover picture. It's Bikram and his wife in Triangle. I would get corrected in class if I took the set-up that Bikram is using: his front knee is forward of his toes, instead of in a line with his ankle, perpendicular to the floor.
If you look at the finished versions of Standing Head to Knee, not one person has any connection between head and knee. Instead, it ooks like a standing head to shin pose. These are quibbles, and don't take much away from the value of the text. And the examples of what "normal" people are likely to look like in the poses are very nice to have. |
|
| |
|
| I didnt even realise there were different versions of his book. Ive got the orange hard copy one. I think he must have a huge ego, but then I guess he probably deserves to have one 
I thought the description of his father's death was very touching as well, but the bit about curing cancer ......hmmmm, I think because I worked for a long time in neuro oncology I am a bit unsure of those sort of claims. |
|
| |
|
| The red book and blue book are different editions but, except for the photos, almost identical. These books are better for posture instructions and tips. The newer, yellow, book has more information about the background and philosophy of Bikram Yoga and less specific info about postures, including some poorly executed posture photos. They both have value but I usually recommend the earlier book (blue) for new students and the newer book (yellow) for lifers. |
|
| |
|
| just out of interest - why does Bikram use different terminology from the rest of Hatha Yoga? For example 'pawanmuktasana' is to most yogis 'joint-freeing', yet bikramites use it to refer 'wind relieving' pose (i.e. 'apanasana') |
|
| |
Bikram's Book
