The American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual Fully Revised and Updated

THE TOP 5 REASONS YOU MIGHT THINK THE AUTHOR IS A FLAKE:

5) The bright-light story!
4) She practically chants that "yoga is not a religion"...she mentions this at least twice, possibly three times.
3) The word "yoga" is capitalized throughout the book! Do most people capitalize the word "aerobics" in a sentence? I didn't think so...why yoga?
2) She states (p.17), "...do not be in a hurry to 'convert' family and friends to Yoga.". Ummm, good..I won't! Afterall, she said it wasn't a religion, right?
1) She states (p.16), "The fact is, no one knows where or when yoga began". What? Are we supposed to believe that yoga is infinite, like God? (woman, please!).

THE TOP 5 REASONS YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU BOUGHT THIS BOOK:

5) Under the title of each exercise, you will find a list of the body areas it targets.
4) Easy-to-understand instructions of the exercises.
3) Good tips under each set of instructions...these help to ensure correct breathing and form.
2) Good photos for visual guidance as to form and posture.
1) Yoga IS enjoyable and this book makes it easy to get started.

THE TOP REASON TO HAVE A FEW BOOKMARKS HANDY:

1) You'll want to bookmark the warm-up chapter and a few different pages of specific exercises that are out of order until you memorize the routine and know the poses well.


My Eternal Yoga Guide Book   July 21, 2002
Annie Quaker
14 out of 16 found this review helpful

I have found this book helpful for many years, and have ordered copies for family and friends who are interested in yoga as a health and fitness practice. A stroke survivor myself (some 20 years ago), I find yoga a great aid in staying alive and functional!

To be perfectly honest, the author's short little intro story in the beginning is a tad too new agey for most who don't want to do yoga from a spiritual position, but would benefit greatly from a health position -- don't let that turn you off! Do what I did (and what I recommend to people I'm giving this to) -- read it once, say, "hmmm" and then get on with the program.

Christensen has laid out a wonderful program starting with daily stretches (you can do these even if you can't do the individual exercises, or asans, every day) and then offering a week by week series of exercises to help you advance through -- or stay where you are comfortable.

She also has special programs for pregnancy and other times when you can't go full tilt.

Easy directions, clear photographs that truly help you know what you should be doing, breathing exercises. Excellent for the beginner or person who (like me) slips off and on the yoga and exercise path.


An excellent starter book   May 30, 2002
MotherLodeBeth (Sierras of California)
12 out of 14 found this review helpful

First let me state that this is not a religious or Hindu book but a book on stretching and toning the muscles etc. This is an excellent book for the beginner because it not only explains what yoga is and isn't it stresses the importance of practicing regularly, what to expect, equipment, finding the right environment so you wont be interrupted, advise and cautions if you are on any kind of drugs to make sure your physician knows you are taking up yoga. The book discusses food and drink and why it is important to not do yoga after eating. I watch a yoga show on Oxygen and its on early morning which I think is best for me.

The book stresses warming up, doing slow and deliberate moves, repetitions and that one should never do yoga when ill. In today's society where people rush, rush, rush the advise on doing slowwwwww deliberate moves is really important as is the advise on environment. The book then shows the proper warm up exercises to do. Then goes thru the varies step and levels of the 3 ten week programs for Yoga.

The photographs are excellent and the author discusses in the beginning of the book how Yoga wasn't popular in the United states when she began in the 1950's. And that it was something her subconscious had been seeking and answer to and that is where she woke one morning and saw the light so to speak and the word Yoga came to mind. This is something that in my opinion happens to most people who seek God, and ones prayers are answered