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. What I appreciate so much about David and Sharon is how they help their Yoga students to understand and appreciate the wisdom of all the great saints and jivamuktas who have contributed to raising consciousness. Ultimately, it is Self-Realization, that is the true goal of Yoga.”
–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. Sharon and David are deeply dedicated students and teachers of Yoga who have the rare capacity to translate their profound understanding to the reader. 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

Let's slow down and ask some basic questions about the whole idea of a yoga assist - because offering and receiving great assists depends first on knowing what an assist is. Back in the old days of yoga assists were called "corrections." The idea was that the student was doing something wrong and the teacher could manipulate the wrongness away. Later came the word "adjustment," which is a little better, conveying the student is on the right track and some adjustments are needed.
In this book, world renowned Jivamukti Yoga practitioners Sharon Gannon and David Life use the word "assist" to communicate the idea that in yoga there are actually two beings interacting together on various levels of consciousness to foster a decrease in avidya, "mis-knowing," and an increase in vidya, or the knowing principle.
A yoga assist then, is action taken in a microcosmic relationship that reveals macrocosmic truths. It is action undertaken in mutuality with the best of intentions and the blessing of the teacher's teachers.
The giving of yoga is an art. Yoga assists are not static; they comprise a flowing dance of body, breath, and energy. They are based on continuous focus and awareness of the relationship between partners in the process. It takes two to Tango As in Tango, in each encounter with yoga student and teacher there is an equation of reciprocity. Whether we receive or give an assist is an active process in the resolution of a relationship, a transmission, a dance. In this sense, the relationship between teacher and student is a microcosm of the flowing inter-relation among all people, all species, all living beings.
Through this book, with the "assistance" of Sharon and David, practitioners will deepen their understanding of the fundamental principles of yoga assists and apply them in practice and in service to others.