"Millions practice yoga, but what kind? Hatha, Ashtanga, Bikram, Iyengar? Hot room, flowing, or held postures, with or without meditation and chanting? And everyone practices for different reasons - weight loss, strength training, injury healing, relaxation. Those new to yoga should know they have choices (so as not to be put off by one bad fit), and regular practitioners should know that there are dozens of ways to expand or reinvigorate their routine....

Practitioners around the world reap the physical benefits of yoga, assuming poses frequently called by their Sanskrit names. While many know that hanumanasana is named for the deity Hanuman, few know why. But, behind each asana and its corresponding movements is an ancient story about a god, sage, or sacred animal, much like Aesop's fables or European folktales. Myths of the Asanas is the first book to collect and retell these ancient stories. The...

"Explores the yogic traditions of the past, bringing them alive today, and preserving them for the future by examining what separates us, reflecting on our part, taking action for equity, and moving toward liberation together."--Publisher's description.