"In her newest book, Yoga by the Stars, Jilly Shipway invites us to deepen our personal journeys with zodiac-inspired yoga practices. By bringing together the wisdom of the zodiac with the self-discovery practices of the Yoga tradition, Yoga by the Stars is a unique approach to deepen self-awareness and support transformation. This book is rich in knowledge about astrology and offers a variety of yoga movement and meditation practices as well as affirmations to lead you to your inner starlight."
-Jennifer Kreatsoulas, PhD, C-IAYT, founder of Yoga for Eating Disorders, author of Body Mindful Yoga
-Jennifer Kreatsoulas, PhD, C-IAYT, founder of Yoga for Eating Disorders, author of Body Mindful Yoga
‘Yoga By The Stars’ is a fascinating highly original read for anyone interested in yoga &/or astrology. It doesn’t matter if you know a lot or a little about either subject. It’s a joy to read & follow, but its beguiling simplicity belies a greater depth & breadth. It’s a book you can read straight through, dip into or pick & mix. It works on so many levels in so many ways, there’s something for everyone.
The signs of the zodiac are seen as periods of time, set in the seasons. A chapter is devoted to exploring the universal themes & individual characteristics; wisdom & healing of each sign.These reflections provide the material for some very special zodiac inspired yoga practices. These include various combinations of yoga postures, breath work, sound, affirmations, meditations, visualisations & relaxation… The yoga practices are very rich; practices within practices! Full of paradoxes; contained & expansive, serious & playful, safe & exploratory… The holistic practices are designed to promote personal growth; health, healing & harmony. Each chapter is full of varied & wonderful resources.
I found the subject matter fascinating; linking looking up to the skies & signs of the stars above, with exploring & embodying these themes within. I feel this is a courageous book; that encourages us to explore within & without, with her guidance or for ourselves. Sometimes it’s helpful to have guidance…
Lindy Roy, Viniyoga teacher and Whole Woman practitioner
"This is a book about transformation. The twelve signs of the zodiac, together with the sun and moon, are a rich treasure trove which draw us down an illuminating path of discovery, inspiration and ultimately empowerment.
Jilly’s rich and sensitive writing helps us to unpack each of the twelve signs, along with its associated colour, planet, element and key qualities. Woven into each sign is an exploration of yoga wisdom. So, we are treated to accessible insights from the ancient yogic texts, encouraged to play with chants, such as the Bija Mantras and Om Mani Padme Hum, and invited to consider the seven chakras as a symbolic map of our own inner solar system.
Carefully chosen breathing practices, meditations, visualisations and relaxations all illuminate Jilly’s message, but, for me, the crowning glory of each chapter is the zodiac-themed asana practice. Jilly takes classic, familiar yoga poses and sequences them creatively and thoughtfully to reflect the essence of each star sign. Aries, ruled by the planet Mars with its associated colour of red and element of fire, invites us to practise a feisty warrior-like flow, embodying the qualities of courage and love. By contrast, Cancer, the mother sign, is ruled by the moon and so leads us more towards a nurturing, grounding practice. Pratyahara and the affirmation ‘I am home, in the here and now’ add a comforting flavour to this gentler, more inward-looking practice. Each practice is clearly explained and illustrated, with different options offered throughout to make the postures as strong or as gentle as you need them to be.
I was genuinely excited to read this book, which I know has been a long time in the making and I can honestly say that it has surpassed my expectations. The writing is intelligent and thought-provoking, every page holding a new insight or reflection. The yoga practices made me want to jump onto my mat straightaway and the wisdom and promise of transformation encapsulated within each of the twelve signs stayed with me long after I had finished reading. This book is an absolute gem."
Judy Brenan, British Wheel of Yoga teacher and Foundation Course tutor
Jilly’s rich and sensitive writing helps us to unpack each of the twelve signs, along with its associated colour, planet, element and key qualities. Woven into each sign is an exploration of yoga wisdom. So, we are treated to accessible insights from the ancient yogic texts, encouraged to play with chants, such as the Bija Mantras and Om Mani Padme Hum, and invited to consider the seven chakras as a symbolic map of our own inner solar system.
Carefully chosen breathing practices, meditations, visualisations and relaxations all illuminate Jilly’s message, but, for me, the crowning glory of each chapter is the zodiac-themed asana practice. Jilly takes classic, familiar yoga poses and sequences them creatively and thoughtfully to reflect the essence of each star sign. Aries, ruled by the planet Mars with its associated colour of red and element of fire, invites us to practise a feisty warrior-like flow, embodying the qualities of courage and love. By contrast, Cancer, the mother sign, is ruled by the moon and so leads us more towards a nurturing, grounding practice. Pratyahara and the affirmation ‘I am home, in the here and now’ add a comforting flavour to this gentler, more inward-looking practice. Each practice is clearly explained and illustrated, with different options offered throughout to make the postures as strong or as gentle as you need them to be.
I was genuinely excited to read this book, which I know has been a long time in the making and I can honestly say that it has surpassed my expectations. The writing is intelligent and thought-provoking, every page holding a new insight or reflection. The yoga practices made me want to jump onto my mat straightaway and the wisdom and promise of transformation encapsulated within each of the twelve signs stayed with me long after I had finished reading. This book is an absolute gem."
Judy Brenan, British Wheel of Yoga teacher and Foundation Course tutor
"Jilly Shipway was brought the power of zodiac imagery to yoga in a way that is engaging, accessible and powerful. This is NOT a book about predicting your future with yoga and star signs; what Jilly has very astutely done is recognise the primal power of archetypes to communicate ideas that resonate with our emotional lives. There’s a wealth of knowledge in this book, presented in a fun yet thought-provoking style. The practices are clear yet deep, brimming with ideas. If you’re looking to relight your yoga fire (and I’m an Aries, so always!) this is a fabulous book, one to treasure and plunder regularly. And if you’re a yoga teacher like me, you’ll be always on the lookout for fresh ways to communicate ideas to students and in that way this book is a fabulous resource too."
Deana Morris editor of Spectrum, the magazine of the British Wheel of Yoga
Deana Morris editor of Spectrum, the magazine of the British Wheel of Yoga
"This delightful book describes a wonderful link between the two ancient practices of yoga and astrology, using this connection as an aid to our daily yoga practice and meditation.
Jilly informs us that our lives are governed by the changing nature of the natural world around us, so using the Western Zodiac wheel with its cyclical form helps us to understand the importance of astrological symbolism as a tool in our yoga practice. I love the idea of using the properties of each sign to inspire yoga practices, to encourage visualisations and to cultivate affirmations. The energies of the Sun and Moon are united in each sign’s practice, recognising that we contain these energies within our own specific Sun or Moon sign.
In the Chapter Two, Yoga and the Wheel of the Zodiac, Jilly guides us through the elements and qualities relating to each sign, so that we understand how the yin and yang nature of our yoga practice corresponds to the passive and active property of each sign of the Zodiac. I also love Jilly’s idea of using astrology to inform our yoga practice as ‘spiritual medicine for balancing our energies’.
The stillness of our yoga practice binds us to our place within the constant rotation of the cosmos. She reminds us that we are influenced by all the planets within our own solar system, and despite which planets govern us, as decreed by our date and time of birth, we can still find the energies of each planet within ourselves by using her detailed exercises and clearly illustrated exercises. As with her previous book, Yoga through the Year, Jilly takes us methodically through universal warm-up and wind-down routines.
In Chapter Three, the Sun, the Moon, Yoga and You, she describes how the contemplation of the heavens and the vastness of the cosmos focuses our awareness back to our inner self, just as the twelve houses of the Zodiac are divided into two parts – the first six associated with our relationship with self, and the final six reaching out to our relationship with other.
We are invited to use her personifications of each sign of the Zodiac to encourage a detailed yoga practice inspired by each sign, and we can use each practice to suit how we are feeling at the time, and I love her devised practices to reflect the characteristics of each sign of the Zodiac, which I think truly reflect each sign’s characteristics. This is re-iterated in the book’s sub-title, Practices and Meditations inspired by the Zodiac. I will definitely use my personal sign’s practice on my birthday though!
There is such a glorious image on the book’s cover, subtly showing images of each of the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Jilly has also gone to a lot of effort to link the chakras to their related signs, and to reproduce the glyphs belonging to each sign to inform our periods of meditation.
Jilly provides us with a comprehensive bibliography and resource list, and concludes her book in a suitably life-affirming stellar way!"
Jill Carr, experienced yoga student and astrologer
Jilly informs us that our lives are governed by the changing nature of the natural world around us, so using the Western Zodiac wheel with its cyclical form helps us to understand the importance of astrological symbolism as a tool in our yoga practice. I love the idea of using the properties of each sign to inspire yoga practices, to encourage visualisations and to cultivate affirmations. The energies of the Sun and Moon are united in each sign’s practice, recognising that we contain these energies within our own specific Sun or Moon sign.
In the Chapter Two, Yoga and the Wheel of the Zodiac, Jilly guides us through the elements and qualities relating to each sign, so that we understand how the yin and yang nature of our yoga practice corresponds to the passive and active property of each sign of the Zodiac. I also love Jilly’s idea of using astrology to inform our yoga practice as ‘spiritual medicine for balancing our energies’.
The stillness of our yoga practice binds us to our place within the constant rotation of the cosmos. She reminds us that we are influenced by all the planets within our own solar system, and despite which planets govern us, as decreed by our date and time of birth, we can still find the energies of each planet within ourselves by using her detailed exercises and clearly illustrated exercises. As with her previous book, Yoga through the Year, Jilly takes us methodically through universal warm-up and wind-down routines.
In Chapter Three, the Sun, the Moon, Yoga and You, she describes how the contemplation of the heavens and the vastness of the cosmos focuses our awareness back to our inner self, just as the twelve houses of the Zodiac are divided into two parts – the first six associated with our relationship with self, and the final six reaching out to our relationship with other.
We are invited to use her personifications of each sign of the Zodiac to encourage a detailed yoga practice inspired by each sign, and we can use each practice to suit how we are feeling at the time, and I love her devised practices to reflect the characteristics of each sign of the Zodiac, which I think truly reflect each sign’s characteristics. This is re-iterated in the book’s sub-title, Practices and Meditations inspired by the Zodiac. I will definitely use my personal sign’s practice on my birthday though!
There is such a glorious image on the book’s cover, subtly showing images of each of the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Jilly has also gone to a lot of effort to link the chakras to their related signs, and to reproduce the glyphs belonging to each sign to inform our periods of meditation.
Jilly provides us with a comprehensive bibliography and resource list, and concludes her book in a suitably life-affirming stellar way!"
Jill Carr, experienced yoga student and astrologer
“Through years of her own personal exploration, Jilly Shipway has crafted a series of simple and accessible practices that invite us into our own exploration of the symbols and archetypes that inspired our ancestors. Viewing astrology not as a predictor of destiny, but as an invitation to deeper self-knowing, this book invites us into relationship with 12 aspects of what it means to be human. This book will be a gift for your intuitive heart.”
Summer Cushman, Creator of the Yoga Church Sunday Sermons, M.Div., E-RYT500, C-IAYT
Summer Cushman, Creator of the Yoga Church Sunday Sermons, M.Div., E-RYT500, C-IAYT
"Yoga by the Stars is an ingenious way of creatively combining ancient and modern teachings (with documentation) on yoga, astrology, meditation, astronomy, guided imagery, and more. The practices given by Jilly Shipway are clear, accessible, and thoughtful. They are as practical as they are inspiring. Simultaneously, they will plant your feet on the ground, compassionately lift and open your heart, and embrace your soul with grace and wonderment. Overall, your understanding of yourself, others, and of the universe we share will expand beautifully. I plan to add Jilly’s teachings to my personal practice and classes all year long, just as I have with her book, Yoga Through the Year: A Seasonal Approach to Your Practice.
Brilliantly integrates the deeper principles and practices of yoga and meditation with astrology and astronomy in an accessible manner.
Kicked my creativity up a notch. It reminded me of the joy of inventing and renaming yoga postures to reflect thought-provoking areas of interest."
Julie Lusk is the author of Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief and many other books and recordings. Learn more at JulieLusk.com
Brilliantly integrates the deeper principles and practices of yoga and meditation with astrology and astronomy in an accessible manner.
Kicked my creativity up a notch. It reminded me of the joy of inventing and renaming yoga postures to reflect thought-provoking areas of interest."
Julie Lusk is the author of Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief and many other books and recordings. Learn more at JulieLusk.com
"Jilly has created an essential and transformative toolkit for teachers and practitioners of yoga, alike.
This wonderful book contains straight forward, but powerful practices, that evoke the essence of each Zodiac sign. The practices are woven together around the Zodiac wheel that takes you on a circular adventure to open many doors of self discovery.
Jilly skilfully weaves yogic philosophy and practices together with thought provoking visualisations and meditation questions to explore the turn of the Zodiac wheel within ones self.
There are a myriad of ways to use this valuable insight and resource, though Jilly invites you to be guided by ones own intuition to cultivate a deeper relationship to ones self and the cyclic journey through life.
This book is a treasure and a gift for anyone wishing for greater harmony with them self, Spirit and Divine Connection."
Jill Amison, Senior Yoga Teacher and Empowerment Leader
This wonderful book contains straight forward, but powerful practices, that evoke the essence of each Zodiac sign. The practices are woven together around the Zodiac wheel that takes you on a circular adventure to open many doors of self discovery.
Jilly skilfully weaves yogic philosophy and practices together with thought provoking visualisations and meditation questions to explore the turn of the Zodiac wheel within ones self.
There are a myriad of ways to use this valuable insight and resource, though Jilly invites you to be guided by ones own intuition to cultivate a deeper relationship to ones self and the cyclic journey through life.
This book is a treasure and a gift for anyone wishing for greater harmony with them self, Spirit and Divine Connection."
Jill Amison, Senior Yoga Teacher and Empowerment Leader
"Jilly once again brings a deeper meaning to the knowledge that everything is connected. This book offers up to the yoga community various ways to weave astrological elements into our variety of yoga practices. I particularly enjoyed the challenge in the use of associating gender to the sun and moon yoga practices and alternatives. Jilly embodies wonderfully the phrase, ‘Earth below, sky above and peace within’ - thank you."
Lindsey Porter - Yoga Tutor, founder of yoganuu.com, author of ‘Whirlpools yoga and the balance of life’ and Co-founder of the yoga podcast series Voices of Yoga (voicesofyoga.com)
Lindsey Porter - Yoga Tutor, founder of yoganuu.com, author of ‘Whirlpools yoga and the balance of life’ and Co-founder of the yoga podcast series Voices of Yoga (voicesofyoga.com)
"In combining astrology with yoga, Jilly Shipway has created a thought-provoking and fun new way to enjoy these ancient arts.
Yoga by the Stars assigns each of the twelve star signs a mixture of themes, yoga sequences and illustrations, affirmations, chants, visualisations and meditations.
Whatever your star sign, each chapter has a relevance and is peppered with little nuggets of philosophy, sparkling gems of wisdom and jewel-like challenges, which have surprised and delighted.
This book has shown me that “Yoga wakes you up to the beauty within and around you”; I particularly enjoyed the references to nature – trees, flowers, colours; all have helped to deepen my understanding of why and how the symbiosis of yoga and astrology is beneficial to mind and body."
Linda Poole, yoga student and astrology enthusiast
Yoga by the Stars assigns each of the twelve star signs a mixture of themes, yoga sequences and illustrations, affirmations, chants, visualisations and meditations.
Whatever your star sign, each chapter has a relevance and is peppered with little nuggets of philosophy, sparkling gems of wisdom and jewel-like challenges, which have surprised and delighted.
This book has shown me that “Yoga wakes you up to the beauty within and around you”; I particularly enjoyed the references to nature – trees, flowers, colours; all have helped to deepen my understanding of why and how the symbiosis of yoga and astrology is beneficial to mind and body."
Linda Poole, yoga student and astrology enthusiast
Watch this space for more endorsements to come...
The Yoga by the Stars book is available from: Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Indiebound, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones (UK), and my publisher Llewellyn Worldwide. Or order from your favourite independent bookseller.