---
product_id: 7575861
title: "Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual"
price: "R1096"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/7575861-ashtanga-yoga-the-practice-manual
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# Spiral-bound for easy flat-lay Step-by-step pose photos Pose variations for all levels Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual

**Price:** R1096
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🧘‍♀️ Your personal Ashtanga guru, spiral-bound and ready to transform your practice!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual
- **How much does it cost?** R1096 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/7575861-ashtanga-yoga-the-practice-manual)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Visual Mastery:** Clear, detailed photos break down every posture with beginner-friendly and advanced variations.
- • **Confidence Booster:** Demystifies complex sequences so you can practice solo with clarity and ease.
- • **Trusted by Thousands:** 4.8-star rating from over 1,300 yogis—your essential companion for mastering Ashtanga.
- • **Comprehensive Guidance:** Step-by-step instructions cover transitions, breath, and gaze points to deepen your practice.
- • **Effortless Practice Setup:** Spiral binding lets the manual lay flat beside your mat—no page wrestling, just flow.

## Overview

David Swenson’s 'Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual' is a spiral-bound guidebook featuring detailed photos and pose variations for all skill levels. It breaks down the Primary and Intermediate Series with clear instructions on breath, gaze, and transitions, making it an indispensable resource for solo practitioners seeking confidence and consistency in their Ashtanga journey.

## Description

Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual [Swenson, David] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual

Review: Ashtanga Guru in a Spiral-Bound Book - Let's be honest, Ashtanga yoga can look... intense. All those challenging poses linked together, the specific breath, the gaze points – it's a beautiful, powerful practice, but diving in can feel a bit daunting, especially if you're trying to establish a home practice or just understand what's happening in a led class. I needed a guide, something more than just a quick online video. Enter David Swenson's "Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual." This book quickly became my absolute go-to, my silent teacher, my spiral-bound guru. What makes this book so incredible is its practicality. The spiral binding is a game-changer – you can actually lay it flat next to your mat without wrestling with pages! But beyond the smart design, the content is gold. The photos are clear, showing the postures step-by-step, and crucially, Swenson includes variations for every single pose. This is HUGE. It immediately makes the practice feel accessible, no matter your current level of flexibility or strength. It's not about forcing yourself into a shape, but about finding the pose that works for your body today. He covers the Primary and Intermediate Series, breaking down the vinyasa count, the breath, and the drishti (gaze points) in a way that's easy to follow. It demystifies the sequence and helps you build confidence whether you're practicing alone or just want to deepen your understanding of what's happening in a class. This manual has had a profound impact on my consistency. Having such a clear, user-friendly resource right there makes rolling out my mat and starting the practice so much less intimidating. It feels supportive and encouraging, like David Swenson himself is right there, patiently guiding you through. If you practice Ashtanga, or are even just curious about starting, this book is, in my opinion, essential. It's detailed, incredibly practical, and makes the journey into this dynamic practice feel achievable and deeply rewarding. It's more than just a manual; it's a true companion for your practice.
Review: Best home practice guide - I am pursuing ashtanga yoga quite seriously, and this is the only book out there that is really helpful as a self-guide when you want to practice on your own. My issue is that I don't always remember the order of the postures and all the things you need to pay attention to when I practice on my own. This manual is great for the following reasons: - It's a binder book so pages are easy to flip - Each position in the series is shown visually in a variety of levels: the final level to aim for, and the "easier" levels to aim for if you are not there yet. This makes the book very safe and appropriate for beginners. And also less discouraging. - In addition to the full photos of the above, you get step by step procedures and transitions, as well as guidelines on what to work on while you are in the position. Downsides: I wish it was less heavy and came in color. Ideally there should be a Kindle version for traveling and audio playlist for each position, so that you can practice on the go. Right now the book is too heavy to travel with.

## Features

- Used Book in Good Condition

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #86,600 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #143 in Yoga (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,330 Reviews |

## Images

![Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61u-3c8M28L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ashtanga Guru in a Spiral-Bound Book
*by M***S on April 27, 2025*

Let's be honest, Ashtanga yoga can look... intense. All those challenging poses linked together, the specific breath, the gaze points – it's a beautiful, powerful practice, but diving in can feel a bit daunting, especially if you're trying to establish a home practice or just understand what's happening in a led class. I needed a guide, something more than just a quick online video. Enter David Swenson's "Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual." This book quickly became my absolute go-to, my silent teacher, my spiral-bound guru. What makes this book so incredible is its practicality. The spiral binding is a game-changer – you can actually lay it flat next to your mat without wrestling with pages! But beyond the smart design, the content is gold. The photos are clear, showing the postures step-by-step, and crucially, Swenson includes variations for every single pose. This is HUGE. It immediately makes the practice feel accessible, no matter your current level of flexibility or strength. It's not about forcing yourself into a shape, but about finding the pose that works for your body today. He covers the Primary and Intermediate Series, breaking down the vinyasa count, the breath, and the drishti (gaze points) in a way that's easy to follow. It demystifies the sequence and helps you build confidence whether you're practicing alone or just want to deepen your understanding of what's happening in a class. This manual has had a profound impact on my consistency. Having such a clear, user-friendly resource right there makes rolling out my mat and starting the practice so much less intimidating. It feels supportive and encouraging, like David Swenson himself is right there, patiently guiding you through. If you practice Ashtanga, or are even just curious about starting, this book is, in my opinion, essential. It's detailed, incredibly practical, and makes the journey into this dynamic practice feel achievable and deeply rewarding. It's more than just a manual; it's a true companion for your practice.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best home practice guide
*by S***A on April 18, 2016*

I am pursuing ashtanga yoga quite seriously, and this is the only book out there that is really helpful as a self-guide when you want to practice on your own. My issue is that I don't always remember the order of the postures and all the things you need to pay attention to when I practice on my own. This manual is great for the following reasons: - It's a binder book so pages are easy to flip - Each position in the series is shown visually in a variety of levels: the final level to aim for, and the "easier" levels to aim for if you are not there yet. This makes the book very safe and appropriate for beginners. And also less discouraging. - In addition to the full photos of the above, you get step by step procedures and transitions, as well as guidelines on what to work on while you are in the position. Downsides: I wish it was less heavy and came in color. Ideally there should be a Kindle version for traveling and audio playlist for each position, so that you can practice on the go. Right now the book is too heavy to travel with.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent supplement to yoga classes
*by M***N on November 23, 2009*

I just started taking Ashtanga classes at a local studio. I asked my instructor for a recommendation to help me practice the asanas at home and this was what she directed me to. It's perfect. The book is designed well, meaning both the ease of using the spiral bound, and layout showing each pose in great detail. David shows the pose in a clear photo, with written instructions on how to enter the pose. Plus, he includes at least two modifications for every asana for those less flexible or with limitations preventing them from achieving the full pose. Toward the end of the book he shows the "full flow" that shows snapshots of the pose in order for the Standing Series, Primary Series and Advanced. He also has the flow of Sun Salutation A & B. There are options for various vinyasa to plug in between the different asanas. I'm a total beginner and have found this very easy to follow and not intimidating. I feel I'll grow in my practice with this and use it throughout my Ashtanga education.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual
- The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-03-19*