Reviews (24)

A Great Introduction to Buddhist Thought and Meditation!
This book and Sakyong Mipham's more recent "Ruling Your World," are permanent fixtures in my library.Sometimes Buddhist writings can be difficult to understand or relate to, but this author has a Western background and is able to communicate ideas in ways that are easy to identify with for people without a background in Buddhist thought.Our culture and the media encourage "monkey mind," and it's hard to gain control of inner thought processes in a world that constantly communicates "Buy More, Do More, Be More."This book offers a means of calming the internal turmoil and developing your mind to reach its potential.
Good book-very helpful
This book has been helpful for dealing with anxiety/depression.I'm not much into just meditating or even following Buddhist thinking, however, there is value in what I've learned from this book -- disciplining the mind and learning to keep the mind "present".This has helped me from worrying "too far ahead" or losing perspective of life by helping strengthen my mind.I highly recommend this book along with practicing some form of meditation if you struggle with anxiety or negative/worrying thoughts.

Best introduction to meditation
I think what sets this book apart from others of its kind is the unmatched clarity and simplicity of the language. The unique situation here is that Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, an accomplished and very learned Tibetan Buddhist teacher, grew up in the West and so speaks our language like a native. Because of this, he is able to speak to us in a way that most other equally accomplished Tibetan lamas are unable to. It's important to emphasize that meditation is best learned and practiced under the guidance of a living human being who has some experience with it - a book alone will not suffice. But, having said that, this book is definitely a good companion to have when beginning your journey. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asian And Oriental Religions    2. Buddhism - General    3. Meditation    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy - Counseling    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    8. Philosophy / Mind & Body    9. Popular psychology    10. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. General    3. Hatha Yoga    4. Health & Fitness    5. Oriental Philosophy    6. Philosophy    7. Religion    8. Yoga    9. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (7)

Food that tastes fattening - but isn't
I was just looking over my earlier cookbook reviews. They say things like "I have lost 70 pounds..." and "Now that I have lost 80 pounds..." Well, by now I have lost over 90 pounds and I've learnt a lot about nutrition along the way. I've learnt that "good fats" and "good carbs" are best for our bodies and sustained weight loss. Many low-fat cookbooks are full of recipes featuring sugar and other processed carbs, while low-carb cookbooks often overlook all the calories in fat. Spa-type cookbooks like the Canyon Ranch and Golden Door series give you the best of both worlds - food that is calorie-conscious, healthy and delicious.
One of the best cookbooks I've ever had
Everything I cook in this cookbook is delicious. I can serve the recipes for parties and no one knows it's "healthy" in a diet-like way. Very interesting sophisticated combination of ingredients create wonderful tastes that have helped my husband I keep our weight down without deprivation. I think I've made the majority of recipes, and this is from someone that doesn't cook a lot. Highly recommended!

This book could change your life...
If you are like me you struggle daily making compromises between great food and healthy living. This book and a week at Canyon Ranch in AZ taught me that you don't have to make that compromise!
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Health & Healing - General    5. Healthy Living    6. Nutrition    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - Western States    8. Cooking / Health    9. General cookery   

Reviews (6)

Ayurvedic Cooking for Westerners
I found this book disappointing, and much prefer her previous book.

Great Guide, OK recipes
This book is interesting to read and great help in deciding what to eat to balance your vikrities (imbalances).You start out learning some Ayurvedic basics and then you can test yourself to find out what your dosha (constitution) is.Then you learn what foods and tastes agrivate or calm that dosha.It tells you a little bit about what the symptoms of an imbalance might be, but I got more descriptive information about that on the Internet.One reason I like this book is because me and my fiance are different constitutions, and this book tells us which foods will calm/ balance us both.There are simple instructions on most recipes that explain how to modify the recipe so that it suits a person with a different constitution.It also has codes for what seasons to eat what food, and every chapter or so has interesting blurbs about different foods and philosophies.That part I enjoy.And from my experience, Ayurveda WORKS.Fast and precisely. Helpful!
This was one of the cookbooks used as reference for a six hour introductory workshop on Ayurveda that I attended. I had a chance to leaf through it, along with three other cookbooks, and this one seemed to be the most useful with a good background included on the basic concepts of ayurveda. I have USED it! As anyone who has a cookbook collection will recognize, this is the ultimate recommendation! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Consumer Health    3. Cookery, Indic    4. Cooking    5. Health & Healing - General    6. Macrobiotic diet    7. Medicine, Ayurvedic    8. Recipes    9. Vegetarian - General    10. Vegetarian cookery    11. Cooking / General    12. Health & wholefood cookery   

Reviews (37)

Pretty good!

Five Tibetans
Being a yoga practitioner for 6 years now - I found this book to be an excellent resource for those who want a quick effective yoga workout - those who don't have the time to do an hour a day as I do. It is also good for when you travel as it requires no mats, blocks, blankets or any of the other props needed for most yoga regimes. Only thing I found disconcerting was the First Tibetan which made me naseuous. I have to assume this would subside with time.Well written and easy to follow. A simple but effective book.

Great exercises, more info would be helpful though
The exercises are great, I was recommended to buy this book and start doing them. Although I've been doing them for only two days, I already feel better. However, I have to say that the book is small, and, while the execution technique is properly explained, that is not enough. I also do qigong (beginner), and knew some other things that help, but it would have been nice if the book addressed to total beginners and explained what else is important. For example, do the same number of repetitions for each exercise. Why? Because the purpose of the tibetans is to synchronize the speed of chakras (hubs/vortexes of bodily energy), and to achieve that you have to do the same number. Even if you can do better for some exercises - don't - work up until you improve the weak ones and increase the number for all of them at the same time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. General    3. Healing - Energy (Chi Kung, Reiki, Polarity)    4. New Age    5. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    6. Yoga    7. Complementary Medicine    8. Exercise & workout books    9. Health & Fitness / Yoga    10. Yoga for exercise   

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Hatha yoga    3. Health & Fitness / Yoga    4. New Age    5. Pranayama    6. Prãanayãama    7. Spirituality - General    8. Health & Fitness    9. Yoga   

Reviews (2)

Dilts approach on coaching
This is Dilts contribution to the field of coaching. In that book, he describes how his "logical levels" of understanding and change, that he has developped from Bateson's work (1972), can be concretly used in coaching sessions.
An inspiritive book
I am very glad to recommend this book because it is more than an handbook, it's a powerful source for who wants to be a coach nowadays.Read more

Subjects:  1. Psychology    2. Memory improvement & thinking techniques    3. Popular psychology   

Reviews (77)

This book changed my life
Everyone is different.I only know myself, so I will share my story and you can take it for what it's worth.I battled with some level of anxiety for many years, through most of my early 20's, I suppose, maybe earlier too.Around the age of 25 I started to have some agoraphobic behaviors, wanting to get away when in social situations, having trouble getting in a car when someone else was driving, etc.; I started to avoid going out with my friends.My symptoms and behaviors slowly worsened, but not to the point that they became debillitating.Shortly after my 28th birthday I decided to return to graduate school after having been away from acedemia for 6 years.My first three months back at school were extremely stressful, extremely stressful.I was trying to balance my school work with starting research, on top of that I was teaching (which was insanity for me considering my fear of public speaking), trying to make friends and keep my marriage together.Towards Christmas I started to suffer from daily headaches.Around November I had my first full blown panic attack.I didn't know what was happening, I thought I was dying.Most of you know what I'm talking about.I made it to Christmas, and returned home to visit my parents.I thought the time away from school would allow me to recover, but the opposite happened.That two weeks was the most difficult two weeks of my life.I was in a constant cycle of panic.Each morning I would wake up and bolt upright in bed, immediately the fear and adrenaline would start, I'd wonder if I'd ever be able to take care of myself, wonder what my relatives and friends must think, I'd shake and have heart palpitations, the clock ticking would crash through my head like a bass drum, I'd sweat and have diarrhea, I couldn't eat or sleep or be around people, I feared time alone with my thoughts.I thought I had gone crazy, lost it, that's how I'd spend the rest of my days.This went on for two weeks.Two weeks does not sound like a long time, but I would compare that mental anguish to the most severe physical pain you can imagine.I won't paint any graphic imagery because if you're reading this then you probably know what I'm talking about.It was the most intense pain that I have ever endured.I was SURE I could not return to graduate school.I thought I might need to be put in an asylum.Somehow a friend got word of my condition and offered me this book.Just reading the first chapter made me feel so much better.I tell you in all honesty, this book changed my life.It took a lot of work and a lot of time and then more work, but I turned my feelings completely around.I am more self-confident now, two years later, than I have ever been in my life.I have not had a panic attack in perhaps 18 months.I KNOW that I am in control.Again, the change was not instantaneous; I had relief from some of the acute symptoms fairly quickly, within days or weeks, but it took several months for me to stop having panic attacks on a daily basis.Given the title of the book, it sounds cliched for me to say this, but I truly have taken all of my negative attributes that started my panic cycle in the first place and turned them around so that they help me succeed.I am realizing dreams that I never thought possible.Somewhere in the book Lucinda says that she's happy she went through her panic/anxiety disorder because it has made her a stronger person than she would have ever been.I remember reading that the first time and thinking what a load of crap that was.But now I feel the same way.Few things in my life have so defined and limited me as my panic and anxiety, and now that I'm in control of my feelings, nothing could be more powerful.Good luck.

Dissappointed in the "general" advice
This may only be my opinion, but I've gone to therapy in the past so I feel I can compare this book with what would be discussed in a professional office.
If you are Clinically Depressed - you may want to STAY AWAY
While I'm sure Lucinda has found a niche with this book and helped others, I would warn those in a deep depression or those struggling with severe anxiety to pass this by.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Motivational & Inspirational    3. Psychology    4. Self-Help    5. Stress Management    6. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (7)

The Key to Life
I don't think we as human beings actually recognize the power of daily reading, meditation, and reflecting.Practicing these powerful principles allows us to remain mindful of the moment and reflect upon the deeper question in our lives.To devote ourself to a daily meditation and to journal on these quiet times is priceless and will certainly aid in the evolution of our soul.For me this practice has allowed an awakening to take place and opens my life up to all the opportunities that are available in this universe.Please give this practice a try!This book will help you in your journey of living and cultivating an active consciousness in your daily life.
Inspirational
I love this book! It gives me daily inspiration and a positive attitude to start my day.

Hail to the Power of Women
One of my best friends recommended this book to me last winter.She said she carried hers everywhere she went even when she traveled.It brought her peace especially after the death of her mother.It is a wonderful book for women.Each day (it's a daily reflection) offers an inspiring quote, a powerful meditation and an encouraging affirmation.The book reflects the individuality and spirituality of women and the importance of their self esteem.It's funny to me that the right words always seem to appear on the page just when I need to read them for that extra boost. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Devotional    2. Devotional calendars    3. English    4. Meditation    5. Meditations    6. Prayer-books and devotions    7. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    8. Self-Help    9. Twelve-step programs    10. Women    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Self-Help & Practical Interests    13. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (7)

The Basic Principles of Massage / Muscle Therapy

Gift for my equestrian sister
This was given to my youngest sister who is a passionate, skilled equestrian.She says the book is excellent and was thrilled to receive it.

The Basic Principles of Equine Massage/Muscle Therapy
Excellent book! Mike Scott communicates well with the lay person in easy to understand terms--almost as though he is speaking directly to you.His perspective is interesting--and the book is a great anotomey lesson or review as well.I highly recommend it and would look forward to a next addition. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Animal Massage    3. Equine Medicine    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Horses - Care    7. Horses - General    8. Massage & Reflexotherapy    9. Massage therapy    10. Pets    11. Pets / Horses / Care   

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Health & Fitness    3. Massage & Reflexotherapy    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation    6. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    7. Medical / Alternative Medicine   

Reviews (78)

Excellent and flexible system
After trying FlyLady twice, I realized that it would never work for me.Instead of having more time, I felt like I was always supposed to be doing a little here and a little there, but was never done.Being nagged by email only made it worse.And the final straw was the fact that FlyLady's "inspirational" messages were increasingly just annoyances -- either a reminder to purchase some product of hers, or a lot of Christian-oriented jargon.What I took from this system was:work in small segments, plan a day for each task, jump in wherever you are, and do a little, even if you don't finish the job.Since most of this was taken from the SHE sisters, I decided to investigate the SHE system.I found this system works better for me.Being able to move a card into the "done" section and seeing the pile of tasks that were left worked much better as a reminder for me than emails, which I often didn't get to read until well after they were due.And when the cards are gone, I'm done!As the daughter of a cleaning-impaired mother, I also appreciate the SHE system's instructions on what to clean and how often to clean it.The SHE sisters are not at all preachy, just "regular folks" trying to get their acts together and sharing a bit about themselves.It works for me.

Even better than FlyLady!
This book changed my life.
GREAT!!!
I have struggled with my house for years.Finally, I am getting it straigten out and feel comfortable having guests again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cleaning & Caretaking - General    2. Cleaning & Caretaking - Household Hints    3. General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Home economics    6. House & Home    7. Housewives    8. Self-Help    9. Time Management    10. House & Home / Cleaning & Caretaking    11. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (23)

too general
Gives uses for many plants and the essential oils but no complete details for making the remedies with the oils. Eg. how much of each oil to put into the natural remedies?

Encyclopedia of Essential Oils
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils is a wonderful book to add to a collection of knowledge of Aromatherapy.It contains very detailed properties of each essential oil - easy to understand and great for reference for all to read, learn and practice.If you can't find what you are looking for specifically for an essential oil, you will most definately find it in this book.

Your Aromatherapy library is not complete if you don't have the book
If I had to have only two books in my Aromatherapy Library, this would be one of them, along with The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, by Salvatore Battaglia. I have been an Aromatherapist since 2003, I know - a relatively short time - but a productive time, and I could not have accomplished what I have without this book. It is a very complete list - if not the best list - of essential oils available in book form, with all their properties, chemical breakdown, methods of extraction, history, ancient uses for the plants and oils, modern uses, toxicity and as if this wasn't enough - the photos are marvolous and extremely helpful in identifying plants and the oil colour. Every plant gets a whole page and the format repeats and is so easy to follow. What makes this book stand out among its peers is the ease of use with an excellent index, glossary of terms, botanical index, botanical classification and references (just because a book has these thing doesn't mean they are always good or useful).
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Subjects:  1. Aromatherapy    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Encyclopedias    6. Essences and essential oils    7. General    8. Health/Fitness    9. Herbal Medications    10. Reference works   

Reviews (3)

informative, interesting and not too new agey
i've got this book after a recomendation of my yoga instractor and just like she said - it helps put the yoga i take at the gym, which is mainly asanas (postures) in a larger context of both spiritual guidness and preseption as well as other live guiding filds, like breathing, eating, and over all living. Full of important info
This book introduces, and covers a good deal of areas that, as far as I know, have never been covered before.His explanation of Soma is very sober and answers alot of questions.There is enough info in here for any person to gain, not only from his perspective but also for an informational aspect.Though there are meditation techniques I wouldn't just take up without Intensive Study into both subjects.

A Great book
This is the first bookon thissubject. Iam aseriousyoga practicioner and so far have never seenanything likethis:so wellconnecting Ayurvedamedicine knowledge withespecially Hatha and Kundalini yoga. Youcan see thatthe auther is an adept, informingus aboutthe working of prana inthe subtle body. The book containsto myknowledgethe most clearand complete explanationfora serious practitioner the inner alchemy ofyogic transformation.Thisis nota book fora beginner!Itexplains everythingaboutprana,ojas and tejas, vitalinformation on pranayama, pratyahara,chakras and kundaliniandallinconnection with Ayurveda. Thisis thefirst bookofthekind! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Consumer Health    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Yoga    6. Complementary Medicine    7. Health & Fitness / General    8. Yoga for exercise   

Reviews (6)

Wonderful ayurveda book but just average cookbook.
I was excited to get this book. Read it attentively and tried two of the recipies. Kitchari for Vata and Spicy Vegetable Fried Rice. The explaination by Vasant Lad was good and detail. I like it very much. As for the recipies, they smells superb but are tasteless. I still recomend this book for those who like to learn to cook a ayurvedic balanced food. But if you are looking into cooking a delicious mouth watering meal. This is not the book. Still an excellent ayurvedic book.

Sometimes the recipes need modification
My main complaint is that some of the recipes create absolute mush. I found that it helped if I reduced the water in some of the recipes (for example for Kitchari, I used 5 cups of water instead of the recommended 6 cups) and/or washing/soaking the rice or beans only briefly instead of overnight. This may be because I live at sea level (?) but some of the recipes seemed to err in favor of cooking too long in too much water.
an excellent guidebook for healthy living
This is a book by Vasant Lad and his wife.They give easy to follow guidelines on the best foods for your body type, along wtih great recipes.I have tried a few so far, and all are excellent.The explanations for each recipe are very detailed and informative, and accurately give the best types for the recipe.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking / Health    2. Cooking / Indic    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Vegetarian - General    5. Alternative Therapies    6. Ayurvedic medicine    7. Ayurvedic therapies    8. Fitness & diet    9. Health & Healing - General    10. Health & wholefood cookery    11. Indian cookery    12. Medicine, Ayurvedic    13. Regional & Ethnic - Indic   

Reviews (17)

Great Book
I used this book as a reference for a class I taught on Chakra Healing and Balancing. Wonderful info. from the Chakra expert Anodea Judith.

Great Reference Guide
This book is loaded with tons of useful information.I just purchased the book and have not finished reading it, but this is definately a book that I will always keep and use as a reference.The information is written in an easily understand manner and is very detailed with regard to each chakra.

If you only buy one this should be it.
This book goes well beyond the basics that are found in other books.Anodea Judith laces her work with insightful theory and psychology, to help you grow and connect.It has all the basics, but also much more.This is a great book to help you establish a chakra balancing practice.These are tools you can use throughout your life to help you keep balanced even in times of disaster and suffering.
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Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Chakras    3. General    4. Healing - Energy (Chi Kung, Reiki, Polarity)    5. Hinduism    6. Meditation    7. Metaphysical Phenomena - General    8. Miscellanea    9. New Age    10. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    11. New Age / Parapsychology    12. Parapsychology    13. Yoga    14. Body, Mind & Spirit / Healing / Energy (Chi Kung, Reiki, Polarity)    15. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques   

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness / Yoga    2. Exercise    3. Prevention    4. Sports injuries    5. Wounds and injuries   

Reviews (3)

Changed my life!
Mindfulness is happiness. If you are not appreciating the present moment, you are not fully alive. This great book helped me understand what it really means to be mindful. It shows us how to be more mindful in our everyday lives by approaching life in a totally new way. I highly recommend this excellent book! If you like these positive life-changing books, you might also like "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. This is another fantastic book that has changed my life! It looks at things from more of a relationship perspective but it is completely outstanding! This very special book puts your life into perspective and I guarantee that it will also improve all of your relationships dramatically! Have fun!

Good, but short on some details.
I bought this book to help me deal with Social Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, and depression. A good self-help book for mindfulness training for anxiety
This book is well written for self-help purpose, and it includes a clear, systematic discussion on various attitudes and essential exercises in mindfulness training.It serves a good introductory work for mindfulness-based intervention. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mood Disorders    2. Psychology    3. Self-Help    4. Spiritual    5. Stress Management    6. Coping with stress    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques   

Editorial Review

Arnold Schwarzenegger hasn't competed as a bodybuilder since he won the Mr. Olympia title in 1980, but he remains the sport's No. 1 icon. He hosts an annual bodybuilding contest in Columbus, Ohio, and allows a column to be ghost-written under his name in a muscle magazine. Today's bodybuilders may have bigger muscles than Arnold ever did, but everyone inside and outside the iron game gives him credit for exponentially broadening the popularity of physique training.Read more

Reviews (229)

Wonderful, Comprehensive, User-Friendly... But Where Are the Women?!
With all of the other verbose reviews posted here extolling the various perks of this massive encyclopedia, I will merely say succinctly that "The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding" nearly covers the sport from A to Z without missing a beat.It is a great reference book and I have been finding it very inspirational whenever I set out to develop a new routine for myself.The many personal stories told in Arnold's friendly voice are also generally interesting, and the chapters dealing more specifically with competitions and nutrition are noteworthy.
The Most Comprehensive Book Of It's Kind!
I originally bought this book around 20 years ago. I read it from cover to cover many times andlearned a tremendous amount! Years ago, I regrettably lent it out without ever getting it back so I recently bought another copy for my son when he started weight training.
arnold schwarzenegger bible
this is a must own for all lifters, beginers or vetrens of the sport. great pictures and info. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    3. Exercise    4. Massage & Reflexotherapy    5. Reference    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Weight training    8. Reference works    9. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (4)

Super excellent production
This book is super excellent on every part. Is concise, very graphic and very easy to understand. The best is that has every theme on the same book. The only thing I don't like is the external plastic cover because it fall apart so quikly. The rest is fabulous.

Touch for health- new edition
It is a very complete edition compared to the last ones which i felt were sub standard. The only thing i would have found useful were - if the colour of the tabs represented the colours of the 5 elements. its a small detail perhaps but important to a practitioner. otherwise excellently laid out.

Great book!!
I have had no training in 'Touch For Health' and I am finding the book really easy to grasp and to put into practice. It is well written, the colour pictures are great (there's lots of them too) and thereare some useful explanation's of what the 5 Elements and meridians are and how they relate to health etc. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acupressure    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Consumer Health    4. Healing - Energy (Chi Kung, Reiki, Polarity)    5. Healthy Living    6. Kinesiology    7. Massage & Reflexotherapy    8. New Age    9. Mind, Body, Spirit