Going to too quickly into a posture sets the stage for injury.

Going slowly and mindfully into a posture gives your body time to open. Equally important you will be able to sense your edge – the place where sensation gives way to pain. If you go too quickly to your edge and pain, you risk injury. Take your time, sense your edges and let your body open slowly/safely.




An essential resource for beginning through intermediate yoga students! Beginning Yoga: A Practice Manual has been carefully designed to help students develop a solid foundation in yoga through their home practice. This is a clearly written, easy to use book with just the right amount of information to support your practice. And it’s large 8 ½ X 11 format makes it easy to use. A thoughtful balance of theory and practice are presented to provide you with a context as well as instruction for your practice.
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“Your book is great!” It is easy to read and the full page photographs make it easy to understand the poses. Beginning Yoga: A Practice Manual motivates you to do yoga and to learn more about the practice.”

Debbie Swigert, Owner
Lafayette Health Club


“I keep Beginning Yoga: A Practice Manual close by for frequent reference. The clear comprehensive instruction offers the opportunity to individualize my practice. As a snow skier I have been able to develop a practice specific to my needs which greatly enhances my ability to ski efficiently and safely.

The chapters on Energy, Breathing and Meditation offer an easy to grasp understanding of these ancient practices. Your book has helped me integrate these traditions into my daily life and has allowed me to focus on my yoga practice with awareness and enjoyment.”

Fufi Jones


I love this book! It is very clear, concise as well as easy to use and read. I especially like the way you have listed the benefits of each posture. I also like the practices for energy, relaxation and preventative back care.

Donna Neff

I have found Howard’s classes to be very beneficial for stress relief, flexibility and strengthening. As a teacher, he offers the right mix of technique, safety and challenge. His book, Beginning Yoga: A Practice Manual, reflects these values and is extremely thorough, insightful and easy to understand.

Karen Dunn, Photographer


Thanks so much for the book. It has inspired me to start practicing yoga again!

Ingrid Morris, Health Educator



“A comprehensive book that can guide someone with little or no knowledge of yoga through the fundamentals. Much more than a “how to” of yoga poses, Howard’s book gives the reader and understanding of yoga that goes beyond today’s hype.”

Sarah Louis Lopez,
Yoga Teacher

“As a beginning yoga student, I was looking for a text that would reinforce what I was learning in class. This book was just what I needed to help me develop my home practice. It has also helped me deepen my understanding of the many benefits one can reap from yoga.”

Linda Engleman, President,
Concilio Creative



“I keep Beginning Yoga: A Practice Manual close by for frequent reference. The clear comprehensive instruction offers the opportunity to individualize my practice. As a snow skier I have been able to develop a practice specific to my needs which greatly enhances my ability to ski efficiently and safely.

The chapters on Energy, Breathing and Meditation offer an easy to grasp understanding of these ancient practices. Your book has helped me integrate these traditions into my daily life and has allowed me to focus on my yoga practice with awareness and enjoyment.”

Fufi Jones


“Your book is great!” It is easy to read and the full page photographs make it easy to understand the poses. Beginning Yoga: A Practice Manual motivates you to do yoga and to learn more about the practice.”

Debbie Swigert, Owner
Lafayette Health Club

“ I wish this book was available to recommend to my students when I first started teaching yoga over 18 years ago! Beginning through intermediate students will find this book to be an essential resource for building a solid foundation in yoga.”

Debra Marcus, MFT, Yoga Teacher


“As someone who travels a lot and can’t get to regular yoga classes this book has been a savior. It provides me with a wonderful reference to create customized workouts for my energy and mood, and having it in my suitcase gives me additional inspiration to practice, If you are even thinking about buying this book, do it because it is a great investment.”

Casy Conrad, President
Healthy Inspiration Lifestyle Centers