Elliott Goldberg

This is a substantial book. Elliot Goldberg is the compiler/editor of this volume. The titles of the three parts to this book can give you a flow to this book: Divesting Yoga of the Sacred, Making Yoga Dynamic, Making Yoga Sacred Again. {13 chapters each for the fist two parts, and 9 for the third}.

Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) are a prime feature in modern American yoga practice. I've done a moderate amount of yoga and I have to confess that I continue to struggle somewhat. My way into yoga was actually the ability to do padmasana fairly well. This pose is not easy for the majority of people outside of India as most people in the world do not sit cross-legged on the floor beyond age 7 or 8. My bone structure allows me to do this comfortably (the angle of the the femur bone into the hip socket) as I have the random genes ideal for this posture.(See page 184). Uttanasana is difficult for me. I do uddiyana and nauli for bowel situations -- these practices are not mentioned in the book.

However this is a good reference book for the history of the yoga practice and the people from India and America who propelled its popularity.… (meer)