I have been involved in numerous martial arts (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate-Do, Wrestling, Boxing) and physical fitness programs (Circuit routines, Tai Chi, SEAL fitness programs etc.) all my life. Now at my advanced age I have been also doing Yoga postures. I took a Yoga workout a few months ago and sent for several books on the subject. I purchased this huge 550 page (The Complete Yoga Book by James Hewitt) hardback book from Amazon for a bargain price.This volume has three books in one and is filled with 230 illustrations. The first volume covers the “Yoga of breathing.” This volume has eleven detailed chapters explaining yoga relaxation, posturing, hygiene, yoga breath control, yoga and sexual health and other topics. Volume two explains the postures of yoga. This volume has eight chapters focusing on the rewards of practicing the postures, warm-ups and limber –ups, and numerous postures. Volume three (The Yoga of meditation) is the longest with 17 chapters. Some of the topics include: Why meditate? Yoga Hindu and Mystical setting, Yoga philosophy, sitting for meditation, Mantra Yoga and numerous other topics. There is also an index of postures and a glossary of Sanskrit terms.Even though this book is well written and easy to understand; nevertheless, it does require focused study to better grasp the detailed material. The illustrations are clear and the explanations of how to perform the postures are helpful; nevertheless, like any kind of skills book, you should at least take an introductory course on yoga with an instructor to benefit most from this book.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Tactical principles of the most effective combative systems).. Even though this book was written back in the late 70's, I was amazed how current it was. It is exactly what I was looking for, not just postures. It went into yoga breathing, meditation and cleansing routines. It also was excellent on the history of yoga and how some eastern mystical traditions transitioned in the “westernized Yoga” we know of today. I highly recommend this book for someone wanting to deepen the yoga experience. The author is easy to understand and it has a glossary of terms in back, which I love.This is not my first purchase of this book. I bought a soft cover about 20 years ago and it died from a broken spine. It is the most complete book on Yoga that I have found. As I age, I tend more now to the exercises to offset aging impediments and the breathing and meditation sections are, in my opinion, without peer. I recommend this book to anyone that wishes to push the envelope. Thank you for the opportunity to express my support for this book.This is a comprehensive yoga book. It was written before yoga marketing and branding created the "yoga industry" that we now have. This book, written by a westerner for westerners, gets to the heart of yoga as an ancient system with many roots and branches. It includes descriptions of many postures and variations as well as breathing and meditation techniques, with reference to ancient texts.I am a yoga teacher and I brought the kindle version, although I already have the printed one.It is a very good work. I do not give 5 stars because i would like the descriptions of some of the stances to be explained with more details.Still reading and enjoying it!This is a gift for a friend. I checked it out and it is quite thorough. Great book.Superb book, very comprehensive and invaluable for the beginner!I have enjoyed this book for a number of years now. A great referenece book on yoga if a little dated now, and particularly so in light of reading WilliamJ Broads recent book, "The Science of Yoga - a disturbimg eye opener.Just great. Exactly what I needed. Yoga bible -with all the information you need to know about Yoga.It has useful informationAn excellent book with very good information on traditional hatha yoga