Ganga WhiteYoga Beyond Belief: Insights to Awaken and Deepen Your Practice

great overview of the brief history of yoga and clarification of forms. Takes you deep into self practice and allowing you the freedom to go with the flow

I was a little bit dissapointed by this book when i first started it, as i found the introdution dull and the forword by Sting didnt grab me either (sorry Sting! i do like your music!) But once i got into it, the book is well written, clear and easy to follow. However, because of the name i was expecting the book to give me a few of those ah-ha moments when you realise your true being (as with the yoga sutras of Patanjali) but this book is really more tecnical. I have to say i have learnt some important extras about practising yoga- essentially how to deepen what im already doing- in a tecnical way, and i guess putting these into practise i will experience the different levels of knowing that i wanted to read about. I think this book would be great for yoga teachers (as most yoga tecahers dont teach half the stuff talked about.)

Got as a text book for my YTT course and it by far was my favourite! Easy read too!

A very complete view of yoga philosophy and practice. An excellent read on the subject for anyone who wants to move their yoga practice to another level.

I loved this book. Not only could I relate to the author, he writes in an engaging style. If you are a yoga teacher or aficionado this is an interesting read. If you are looking for a straight how-to-do yoga book, this is NOT that kind of book.Mr. White has been on the American scene of yoga from early on - and originally he was more closely affiliated with the Indian born swami/guru types. I can whole heartedly appreciate Mr. White's growing skepticism of some traditional practices. He recognized that what works on a secluded ashram may not translate to life in Southern California where people pop into a studio for a class. I'll give you a specific example of what I am talking about: the need for warm up exercises. Maybe warmups are less important in a controlled environment like an ashram where everyone is working out daily and eating good food. But in real life here? You need them. So warm up exercises, appropriate ones had to be invented.It's an interesting history of yoga from the 60's 'til now. Mr. White is pretty diplomatic about how he expresses himself. It's not a slam book like William J Broad's "How Yoga Wrecks Your Body" this is a memoir as well as a how to. How to what? How to broaden your practice beyond the physical asana.If you're ready to take your yoga practice beyond the mat this is a jumping off place.

I have been practicing yoga for 20 years and still found this an interesting and insightful read.

This eloquent book has been a wonderful inspiration for me. Due to yoga's popularity, there are many books on the shelves these days. Yet most of these books tend to be 'how to' books, focusing on the physical aspect (hatha) of yoga. Ganga White has written a book that focuses on the internal practice of yoga. This is not a glossy star struck ego trip book (even though Sting writes the foreword.). White's book is simple, deep and profound. If you are looking for something more than a manual with spandex clad people contorting into various asanas, then you will be ecstatic with this offering.This timely book addresses many parts of the yoga journey that modern classes tend to overlook - spirituality, the chakras, history, branches of yoga, and more. A valuable section on injuries is worth the price of the book alone. White shares his own personal story of his serious back injury and how he was able to deal without resorting to surgery or drugs.Readers will appreciate White's candid and sincere insights. After reading this book, I felt I was re-energized and more inquisitive about my own practice. If that was White's intent, he succeeded with me.