The book that we are going to review is the work of one of the most eminent figures of yoga in Italy: Gabriella Cella at Chamali. Master of thirty years' experience, founder of her Ratna Yoga school, a tireless divulger, this teacher represents a cardinal point for the discipline in our country.
Evaluating his work as a whole is not an easy task, given its breadth: the publications overlap and cover a ten-year span. In the opinion of the writer, particularly noteworthy, are the texts born from the collaboration with the gynecologist Fiorenza Zanchi as well as the encyclopedic "Big Book of Yoga", a veritable Bible for teachers, practitioners and lovers of yoga.
Here we will deepen the book " Chakra, subtle centers of vital energy " published by Fabbri Editori, which has 109 pages and a cover price of 12 euros.
Structure and style of the book
" Chakra, subtle centers of vital energy " is divided into four parts. The first introduces the reader to the chakra topic: what they are, where they are, how they work. The second one analyzes them one by one, explains their functions, the symbologies and provides exercises to stimulate the vira chakras (ie the "protectors" chakras) and concentration exercises to activate the gift chakras (ie the main seven along the column ) The third exposes a series of practices for energy rebalancing accompanied by explanatory drawings.
The fourth and last part is entirely dedicated to the specific asanas for each chakra .
The structure of the book turns out to be particularly apt because it allows a full understanding both of the experts and of the neophytes. The text flows smoothly page after page and the reader is taken by the hand by an authoritative guide who never gives way to boredom or verbosity. The discussion is also pleasantly interspersed with aphorisms, poems and quotations on the subject with the topics dealt with in depth.
The explanatory style is flat and clear, of immediate use. Even the figures used to explain the positions, although pictorial, successfully carry out their function of illustrating the asana taken into consideration despite the fact that photography is not used. They are immediately understandable and easily decipherable.
A judgment on " Chakras, subtle centers of vital energy " and advice for all readers
As can be seen from what has been said so far, we are faced with a text that is fundamentally advisable, especially for a passionate audience, but which is still taking its first steps in the world of yoga.
Yet, in the opinion of the writer, going deeper into the judgment, the book can be defined as enjoyable, but, in substance, negligible: if one is interested in the physiology of the chakras many other titles are more exhaustive in the philosophical explanations and more in-depth on the various topics taken into consideration with respect to this of the Cell. There is also the lack of a bibliography that would have given scientific validity to the text and a broader proposal for asanas and specific concentration techniques for the various chakras.
It is not asserting that the cognitive proposal offered is not valid, only that it remains at a slightly superficial level, especially if one is well versed in the subject.
In summary: the book " Chakra, subtle centers of vital energy " is an interesting title especially for a novice reader or for the expert who can see in it a very useful bignami.
The invitation, however, is to explore the immense work of Gabriella Cella and to move within it with confidence knowing that not everything will do for her, but that she will find in it some truly precious stones.
