Richard Hittleman's Yoga: 28 Day Exercise Plan

The only problems I have with the book are that there is not alot of emphasis on how to prevent injuries and exactly how to position yourself. I think some people who push themselves too hard could end up injuring themselves.

All that aside, there is alot packed into this little book, and if followed carefully, the program has absolutely amazing results.

This last bit has nothing to do with the book itself, but I include it because other reviewers wanted the information.

Where is Richard Hittleman these days? Sadly, Mr. Hittleman died of prostate cancer in 1991. The Yoga Universal Organization/Church that he founded continues on, however... In conclusion, I would enthousiasticly (sic?) recommend this book to anyone wishing to get into Yoga. Instead of the slick overproduced nature many contemporary exercise books have, Richard Hittleman's Yoga has an earthy honesty that you rarely see these days. (quite characteristic of early seventies hippyish non-fiction books!)

Good luck!


Simple, effective yoga   March 4, 2000
Linda J. Konrad (Florida)
30 out of 30 found this review helpful

I discovered this book in the early 80's. I had just started working in NYC and was stressed-out to the max. I soon developed blinding headaches as a result of rigid neck muscles. Then Hittleman came to the rescue. Within 2 weeks of faithfully follwing the exercise plan, the headaches were gone, and as long as I do these exercises, they stay away!

I have since tried other "brands" of hatha yoga, but I always come back to Hittleman. While other forms of yoga have flashier style (including Iyengar and "power" yoga) as well as celebrity endorsement, they always leave me worn out and frustrated. With the gentle Hittleman plan, I feel relaxed, stretched, and soothed.


A great book for beginners   August 30, 2004
M. Coppedge (North Carolina)
21 out of 21 found this review helpful

This is the best yoga book for beginners I have ever seen. It is written for anyone who wants to learn yoga at home without a teacher's instruction. In more than 600 photographs Hittleman teaches the asanas step by step. He starts with simple poses, explains and shows clearly how they can be achieved and builds up until you reach more advanced poses.

At the end of each practice day, the author discusses subjects such as diet, breathing, meditation, weight control, etc. Although the exercises are equally useful to women and men, some of the discussions focus on women.

With this book you can learn yoga at home. Once you have finished the well structured 28-day program, you can continue yoga for the rest of your life with the three practice sessions provided at the end of the book. I have been practicing yoga for years and have built up my own routine from the book. I have looked at other books, but I have never found a better one.


Try this program - you'll love it. Don't strain!   March 1, 2000
Anita Delre (United States, Missouri)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

This version is identical to Richard Hittleman's same-title paperback that's smaller is size. When I picked up this book at a used book store, I was jogging/running 4x per week, 3 miles each run. I had experienced a great relief of physical and emotional stress in the running, but I was interested in increasing my flexibility and grace. I did "my yoga" after running, and I was shocked to find, as I faithfully followed the program, how much tension had remained in my joints, muscles, etc., even after running. My mental, physical and emotional states all improved dramatically with this yoga program -- so much so that I thought I had found the fountain of youth, that I had discovered my true being. I did injure my knees with the "bow" -- the book's single inadequacy is its lack of precautionary advice and remedies for injuries. I have looked at other yoga books and this is by far the best in terms of succinct information, very good instruction, and a progressive program.