Yoga in Focus or The Positive Psychology of Buddhism and Yoga

Yoga in Focus: Postures, Sequences, and Meditations

Author: Jessica Chapman

Yoga in Focus captures the essence of yoga through perfectly positioned figures in meditative black-and-white photos. The first part of the book presents a range of postures, each across two-page spreads: a full-page photo accompanies tips on positioning, commentary on the benefits of the posture, and advice on breathing techniques and proper focus. The book's second half presents original posture sequences to refine one's daily practice and special sequences to relieve specific conditions including headaches, back pain, and stress. A tribute to yoga practice rather than a structured introduction, this book emphasizes the beauty and power of yoga. In all, over 25 original posture sequences and 400 gallery-quality black-and-white photographs are featured.

Book review: The Lingerie Handbook or Complete Conditioning for Baseball

The Positive Psychology of Buddhism and Yoga: Paths to a Mature Happiness

Author: Marvin Levin

In a manner never before published, this book presents both Buddhism and Yoga and relates them to contemporary Western psychology. Although existing books begin with advanced concepts, such as emptiness or egolessness, The Positive Psychology of Buddhism and Yoga begins with very basic concepts and avoids the exotic and so called "mystical" notions. Levine emphasizes the goals of Buddhism and Yoga and the methods they employ to achieve those goals.

This book is divided into four sections. The first deals with Buddhism, the second with Yoga, and the third describes aims and practices in Western clinical psychology. The fourth section is a workshop on handling anger. The central lesson of the first three sections is that one can improve one's life by changing one's self. This fourth section applies this lesson and the methods of the three preceding sections to handling one's own anger. Overall the book is rich with Eastern tales and illustrative anecdotes. These concrete examples vividly illuminate the general conceptual presentation.

Levine shows not only the basic concerns of Buddhism and Yoga and how intensely practical their methods are but how these concerns and methods relate to those of modern Western psychology. Application to daily living is emphasized throughout.

The serious reader should start:
*to experience less anger, agitation, and stress;
*to improve relationships with coworkers, family, and friends; and
*to face life's challenges with greater wisdom and strength.

What People Are Saying

Philip Zimbardo
(The author) tells a profound story in a style that engages while it informs us of new ways to view the world within ourselves and without....I think it has as much value to novices as well as to professionals in these areas.

Suresh Srivastva
This book has promise of becoming an instant classic.

George Howard
There are few books that can make a real difference in people's lives-this is one of them.

Xenia Coulter
This remarkable text...very clearly explains the basic tenets of Buddhism and Yoga as they relate to happiness.