Customer Reviews

The New Yoga for People Over 50: A Comprehensive Guide for Midlife and Older Beginners

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

My aunt (a flourishing over-50 yoga devotee) recently sent me (a very stiff 33-year old beginner) a copy of Suza Francina's marvelous book, The New Yoga for People Over 50. I previously acquired Mira Mehta's authoritative How to Use Yoga, which I find quite instructive and aspire to begin using (yoga isn't as easy as it looks, folks!). However, I don't believe anything could inspire me as much as seeing and reading the testimonials of so many over-50 yoga practitioners in Francina's book; their execution of some of the more challenging postures is absolutely mind-altering!

Francina's book and her work in general are truly a blessing. Bolstered by the knowledge The New Yoga for People Over 50 has given me I have begun "converting" my mother, who frequents the weight machines at the gym. She is a fit and vibrant 54-year old, but her hectic lifestyle, which includes a six-day work week (she owns a business) needs the addition of yoga to ensure her health and longevity.

This book is a wonderful, invaluable tool for everyone, regardless of age. I hope to catch up with Francina's octogenarian students within a few years! With Francina and her students as examples, I expect I will do just that - and anyone who reads this book will be motivated to set a similar goal: feel better and live longer with yoga!

I wish I had read the review "Yoga or Yada" before I purchased this book for my 74 year old mother. I feel the books set up is out of wack ( the bleep on breathing is in the back of the book ), and the pictures are very intimidating. I thought this book would be a little more for beginners, like the title suggests, with easy yoga poses and more detail on breathing. Instead I read and saw expert Yoga students and teachers showing off their limberness and writing of the author's greatness and their own. I would return this book to Amazon but by the time I paid for the postage it would be a waste. The Yoga book I bought for myself (The Little Yoga Book) I feel is much more appropriate for all beginners regardless of age.

This book has made a difference in my life! I have read several yoga books, but "The New Yoga for People Over 50" by Suza Francina spoke to my special needs. If you are seeking answers for questions relating to menopause, osteoporosis, healthy heart, etc., seek no more. This book provides answers. Her chapter on feet and knees is extremely helpful, providing the groundwork for specific needs. I keep this book handy as an excellent reference manual, both for myself and my friends. Additionally, this book is an inspiration to learn and practice yoga. The models are real and most are definitely over 50 years old. This in itself is an incentive. When you see people in their 70's and 80's, you are encouraged that you, too, can do yoga well into your "golden" years. After reading her book, I was excited to learn that I am close enough to Ojai (an hour's drive but well worth it) to take classes by Suza. She is an empowering teacher as well as a talented author. If you cannot attend a class, "The New Yoga for People Over 50" will more than suffice. Buy more than one; you'll want to share with a friend. Enjoy!

After recently reading Amazon review by "More hype than hope", I would like to counter her negative opinion with a few positive thoughts on "The New Yoga for People Over 50" by Suza Francina.

I first read this book (and subsequently reviewed it) in 1999. My enthusiasm has not waned. This, to me, was and is the most common sense yoga book I have ever read.

Its purpose is to inform the reader about various issues affecting those over 50 and the ways yoga can help. It is a serious and helpful resource for older students and teachers who instruct seniors. The "success stories" (term used by reviewer) are meant to inspire and encourage and do not include any specifically by the author (to glorify herself as suggested by the reviewer).

Yoga classes are not "elitist" (term used by reviewer). They are commonplace in many locations and range from YMCA, gyms, senior centers, etc. Additionally, many yoga studios offer instruction for all ages and levels of ability, from beginner to advanced.

I still feel this book is an inspiration to learn and practice yoga. The models are real people, over 50, which in itself is an incentive. While some are longtime practitioners and famous teachers (like BKS Iyengar who wrote the foreward), many began yoga while in their 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. Perhaps someday "More hype" will meet Ms. Francina in person. She is an empowering teacher as well as a talented author.

After more than 30 years of teaching therapeutic exercise and Yoga for older adults, and having written a book for instructors (Seniors On The Move, published by Human Kinetics), I truly appreciate Suza's book, the New Yoga for People over 50. Both for students and for instructors, it's one of the most helpful and realistic guides for older adults I have seen in all these years. It addresses so many basic and critical issues related to aging and gives a very hopeful picture: the choice of REgeneration over DEgeneration, no matter what the age or present physical condition. I know how much work it is to write a book, how much sitting it requires, and respect and congratulate Suza for writing it! Even though no book can replace a good class, this book serves as a great inspiration and offers so much insight and education. Renate Rikkers, Exercise & Yoga Therapist. Author, Seniors On The Move

I love this book. It is one of a kind. The other books on yoga show young people in impossible poses and don't show the gradual process of getting there or the intermediate poses that will get you there eventually. I am only 41 years old, but find this book extremely helpful and encouraging. I love seeing the pictures of older people looking so healthy and vibrant. It gives me hope for the future and shows you that getting older only means getting wiser, more flexible and healthier. Thank you Suza!

I bought this book on the enthusiastic recommendation of everyone else and was shocked when I got it. Ninety percent of it is testimonials about how wonderful the author and her guru are. I've now gone back to Mary Stewart who gives you poses and routines and doesn't find it necessary to charge money for others to read her praises.

I think the "The New Yoga for People Over 50" is one of the best yoga books I have ever read for the older generation. I am a yoga instructor and most of my students are 40,50,60,70. I have read the book three times, and am reading it again. I get something out of it each time to apply to teaching and my own practice. It gives hope to more mature people that they do not have to be inflexible. It shows you can start yoga at any age, and still get its benefits.

Although I have been doing yoga for several years, I find Suza Francina's book extremely inspirational. I love the stories and the photos. Each night (and sometimes during the day!) I re-read parts of the book and am reminded of poses that I need to do before calling it a day (and that's after having taken a yoga class)! To me, yoga is magic, and the people in this book echo that magic. Not only have I maintained my flexibility and physical health through yoga, but it has seen me through an extremely difficult emotional crisis as well. Reading this book reaffirms my faith in the power of yoga and my desire to teach yoga--I want to share this magic with as many others as possible. I have been alarmed as I saw friends with back and knee problems becoming less and less mobile--knowing that such immobility is creating the mold to make them even less flexible in the future. I guide these friends to this book. There are many other good yoga books "out there" but Suza's book motivates me like no other. There are big photo books with extensive descriptions of poses--most of which would require a classroom experience for beginners. There are esoteric books that few people ever read. This book provides inspiration--just looking at and listening to these women (and a few good men) make me want to live forever! I feel as though I know Suza Francina and her students. I know they care for each other. This book speaks to me. The New Yoga for People Over 50 is for everyone--including those who don't yet know they need yoga!

This book is not about any new form of Yoga, but how Yoga can be effectively used to address problems with aging. It addresses how Yoga can help fight common age-associated problems such as arthritis, osteoporosis, menopause, weak knees and legs. But the best part of the book is the Hope it gives its readers.

The book through numerous examples of people over 50 practising Yoga illustrates and instills such hope. Frank White's example alone is awe-inspiring.

Use of props is emphasised throughout, Suza being a Iyengar Yoga adept. Her experience in teaching those young-at-heart comes through that makes learning Yoga less intimidating. If you have thought your age is a barrier in learning Yoga or if you are a Yoga teacher, you won't regret adding this book to your Yoga library.