Sharon Gannon

Yoga practice as key for aging beautifullyWhile advanced age is revered by some, very few of us are in a hurry to get there. This guide treats physical well-being and spiritual growth as two sides of a coin. It is custom-crafted for midlife and later by addressing both eternal verities and physical health. Yoga, the time-honored philosophy of which headstands and downward-facing dogs are only a fragment, doesn't sugarcoat: physical life will end and material joys, as lovely as they can be, are temporary. In acknowledging our true nature, the eternal divinity that is our essence, we have the best shot at well-being on every level. This book explores spiritual awakening yoga-style, and the fundamentals of yoga's sister science, ayurveda, for care of the body. No one is too young to take up these practices, and no one is too old either. Asana practice, the "physical exercise" component of the spiritual adventure of yoga, is fully adaptable to anybody of any age. And the mental and spiritual practices of yoga need no adaptations. Age Like a Yogi not only gives the reader immediately applicable tools for spiritual awareness and physical health in the post-fifty decades, but also a way to leave this world kinder, safer, saner, and a little more beautiful.

From the co-founder of the yoga method that launched yoga into the mega-popular mind-body practice that it is today (the Jivamukti method), here is a simple guide to developing your own individualized daily spiritual practice for greater peace and well-being. This powerful little book from legendary yoga teacher Sharon Gannon shows readers how to design their very own daily spiritual practice, incorporating yoga poses and practices, meditation, blessings, and other spiritual practices, to begin one's day in a positive and life-affirming place. While many people experience yoga only in yoga studios, Gannon explains that it is highly beneficial to have a private spiritual practice that can be done at home. Replete with how-to instructions on the ten simple yoga poses Gannon recommends readers do for health and flexibility, as well as guidance on meditation, blessings, and awareness exercises that can be added to the mix, this book will help readers infuse their day with greater focus, compassion, and joyfulness.

The founders of Jivamukti Yoga outline the fundamental principles of the assist, and how to apply them in practice and service to others. The benefits of both giving and receiving an assist—the extraordinary mind/body/spirit connection between yoga teacher and student—depend on knowing what an assist is, and fully understanding the method of Jivamukti itself. Though “corrections”—with teachers who fixed students’ mistakes—had evolved to “adjustments,” the world-renowned founders of the Jivamukti Yoga method recognized this still suggested that changes to one’s technique were necessary. In this book, they use “assist” to communicate the idea of two beings interacting on various levels of consciousness to bring into focus the five central tenets of Jivamukti: Shastra (or scripture), devotion, nonviolence, music, and meditation. From cultivating trust and patience to final relaxation and massage, this step-by-step, fully illustrated guide—featuring dozens of asanas—explores the giving of yoga as an art, a flowing dance of body, breath, and energy between two connected beings. Whether we receive or give, an assist is an active process in the resolution of a relationship between teacher and student, a microcosm of the flowing interrelation among all people, and all species.

The long-awaited, complete guide to the popular, vigorous American method of yoga that is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom and scriptures "In this day and age of health and fitness trends, it is assuring to know that Sharon and David encourage their students to draw inspiration from the classical texts of Yoga and timeless scriptural sources. "--Sri Swami Satchidananda Creators of the extremely popular Jivamukti Yoga method and cofounders of the New York City studios where it is taught, Sharon Gannon and David Life present their unique style of yoga for the first time in book form. As they explain their intensely physical and spiritual system of flowing postures, they provide inspiring expert instruction to guide you in your practice. Unlike many books about yoga, Jivamukti Yoga focuses not only on the physical postures but also on how they evolved--the origins of the practices in yoga's ancient sacred texts and five-thousand-year-old traditions--the psychotherapeutic benefits that accrue with a steady practice, and the spiritual power that is set free when energy flows throughout the mind and body. Jivamukti Yoga, which means "soul liberation," guides your body and soul into spiritual freedom, physical strength, peace of mind, better health, and Self-realization-the ultimate goal of any practice. Gannon and Life help you understand each of the practices that comprise the yoga path to enlightenment: AHIMSA-The Way of Compassion choosing nonviolence, respecting all life, practicing vegetarianism, living free of prejudice ASANA-The Way of Connection to the Earth postures and sequences, breathing, transforming energy, understanding the bandhas KARMA-The Way of Action creating good karma, giving thanks NADAM-The Way of Sacred Music appreciating the sacred sounds of yoga MEDITATION-The Way of the Witness how to sit still and move inward BHAKTI-The Way of Devotion to God living with love, grace, and peace Whatever yoga you practice, Jivamukti Yoga will help you to strengthen and deepen that practice and lead you onto a path of spiritual clarity and self-discovery. "If there is only one book you read about the practice of Yoga, this should be the one. . . . This book is for anyone who wishes to find transformation through Yoga. I'm grateful for their work and teaching."--Stephan Rechtschaffen, MD, Co-founder & CEO, Omega Institute