When I saw a pocket-sized Yoga for Dummies in the supermarket checkout line recently, I tossed it into my cart, thinking it would be good to see what kind of misinformation was being marketed to the masses. I was quite surprised to discover the (full sized) book is actually a really good introduction to yoga practice for beginners, written by two respected yoga experts, Georg Feuerstein and Larry Payne.
Yoga for Who?
You may already be familiar with the For Dummies series of books, many of which cover computer, technology, and do-it-yourself topics. Despite the series title, these books are actually intended to make complex topics digestible for intelligent, curious readers. They are also written in plain language with a humorous touch. So don't be put off by the less than promising title of this book: the information is made accessible, but not dumbed down.
Solid Information for Yoga Beginners
While yoga has many ancient philosophical texts (such as the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali) and modern classics (like Light on Yoga) explaining particular hatha yoga methods, these may not provide the best introduction for people completely new to yoga. Yoga for Dummies fills that need, providing basic, down-to-earth information ranging from the practical (what to expect when attending yoga class, beginners poses) to the philosophical (explaining different approaches to yoga beyond the physical, offering a guide to meditation).
Needs an Update
My only real criticism is that the book was written in 1999, so it includes some out of date information on the current state of yoga, which has changed quite a lot in the last ten years as yoga’s popularity has soared. However, the core information on the practice of yoga remains valid, and I consider this book, despite the silly name, to be a solid introductory text.
