20-Minute Yoga Workouts [Paperback]

American Yoga Association (Author), Alice Christensen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 24, 1995

Would you like to have a shapelier, stronger, more flexible body?
More energy? Better concentration? Less stress?
Inner poise and contentment?
Those goals are within the reach of everyone who will take a few minutes a day to practice the simple but powerful exercises in this book. 20-Minute Yoga Workouts enables everyone, from the busiest executive to the elderly, to enjoy the rewards of a Yoga practice. This easy-to-understand book, clearly illustrated with photographs, will teach you how to do:
-- Powerful Yoga breathing exercises
-- Gentle Yoga warm-ups
-- Classic Yoga asans
-- Deep relaxation and meditation
In addition to the basic 20-minute workout, there are also special workouts:
-- For women during PMS, pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause
-- For people in weight-loss programs and athletes
-- For office and travel
-- For seniors and those convalescing
-- For people with physical ailments such as back and neck problems, high blood pressure and heart disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, and substance abuse problems

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The people depicted in the photographs used throughout this effective, easy-to-follow guide are neither super-skinny nor overly muscled; one has gray hair, one is pregnant, one's tummy bulges over his waistband. Clearly addressing ordinary folk, Christensen breaks down each of her 20-minute practices into two minutes of breathing, two minutes of slow warm-up and eight minutes each of exercise and meditation. All the routines provide full-body toning. Some are very gentle. Several are quite challenging. Christensen suggests that meditation enhances one's ability to be in the moment and to concentrate. Her well-designed approach, explained in lucid, focused prose, allows readers to refer easily to what they need. Readers seeking help with certain positions, those interested in the philosophical basis of yoga or those seeking friendly support and advice will find that information here.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The most common excuse for not exercising is lack of time, in spite of the fact that most health experts will attest to the beneficial effects of short workouts conducted on a regular basis. Yoga, a wonderfully adaptable discipline, is a perfect candidate for this focused approach to exercise. Christensen, head of the American Yoga Association, explains how yoga strengthens the body and calms the mind, then offers a pleasingly straightforward guide to developing an efficient yoga workout. After an informative introductory section, a variety of 20-minute routines are presented with step-by-step instructions and photographs as well as tips on how to fit a yoga practice into a busy schedule and how to get the most out of each session. All of the workouts are designed to decrease stress and increase balance, strength, flexibility, and energy, but many are aimed at easing specific discomforts, such as PMS, back and neck problems, asthma, high blood pressure, and weight problems. This is a sound and practical introduction to yoga, an avenue to health and well-being that is attracting more interest than ever. Recommended for most public-library health collections Donna Seaman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Wellspring/Ballantine; 1 edition (June 24, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345388453
• ISBN-13: 978-0345388452
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Quick Workouts

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great workout for a working Mom, September 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 20-Minute Yoga Workouts (Paperback)

I love to do yoga but can never find the time. I needed a routine that was comprehensive, but efficient. This is it. It's a routine divided into 2 minutes of breathing, 2 minutes of warm-up, 8 minutes yoga and 8 minutes of meditation. The pictures and text are instructive. I've incorporated the warm-up into all my practices. The actual yoga routine is thorough but gets to the point. The book includes alternative routines to help you avoid boredom. It includes tips for yoga at work, women's issues, etc. I really like this book.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners!, February 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 20-Minute Yoga Workouts (Paperback)

This book was my introduction to yoga, and it gave me a very solid foundation to grow from. The poses are all explained in detail, and the book features different workouts for different needs, for example, back pain or PMS. I have now given the book to my mother, who has benefitted from it greatly. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who wants to start doing yoga.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for flexibility, balance, & aging!, September 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: 20-Minute Yoga Workouts (Paperback)

This book will do the trick. Yoga results do not occur overnight. However, begin practicing some of the poses/exercises in this book & within 3-4 months you will notice a marked difference in your appearance & attitude. Stress management is also accomplished through regular Yoga practice. There is a section on toning & shaping, as well as a sectoin for PMS. Alice also includes anecdotes & learnings from her lifetime experiences with & through Yoga.