Yoga for Stress Relief: A Simple and Unique Three-Month Program for De-Stressing and Stress Prevention (Paperback)

by Swami Shivapremananda (Author) "Life consists of a series of involvements with others..." (more)
Key Phrases: breathe for five seconds, detach your mind, lumbar stretches, Corpse Pose, Sun Salutation, Bridge Pose (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Filled with beautifully clear illustrations of asanas (stretching poses) and pranayamas (breathing exercises), Yoga for Stress Relief should prove effective enough to dissolve the tension out of your body, no matter how frazzled you may feel. Perfect for yoga novices, this book is designed to be part of a gradual, three-month program for dissolving the stress you have now and for helping you build up both psychological and physiological defenses against future stress.

Based on the yoga developed by Swami Sivananda, which combines two of the gentlest types of yoga (Hatha and Raja), the book begins with a clear, non-technical explanation of exactly how detrimental stress is for the body, especially to the respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. Then the exercises are described using both their Sanskrit and English names. From basic but soothing back and neck stretches to those that involve the hips, lower back, legs, and eventually the more complex shoulder stands, Cobra Pose (excellent for relieving menstrual cramps), and spinal twists, you can count on all the kinks being worked out of your body.

A handy chart in the back of the book indicates which of the dozens of poses are especially effective for alleviating particular stress-related ailments such as headaches, insomnia, depression, and panic attacks. While the focus is primarily on the physical aspect of yoga, its spiritual element is also taught through simple, soothing meditative visualizations. Yoga for Stress Relief is also perfect for anyone who's sleep deprived, as an hour of asanas and pranayamas is as rejuvenating for the body as a two-hour nap.

Product Description
"Yoga for Stress Relief's" 90-day program helps to successfully prevent and relieve the accumulation of stress through the practice of yoga, the postures, breathing--and meditations--and provides an understanding of the causes and development of stress Targeted print ads .

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1 edition (January 20, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679778179
• ISBN-13: 978-0679778172
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #346,723 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand, clear illustrations., September 2, 1999

By A Customer

I appreciate the easy to follow instructions and illustrations and that the poses are organized into routines instead of this being a simple "pictionary" of poses. The routines vary in difficulty and you can build up to them. The only reason I wouldn't give it five stars is because I wish it had a little more, but for basics or beginners it was great.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand,even for a beginner, January 31, 2000

By	tina (Finnmark, Norway) - See all my reviews

I liked this book very much.I have just started practising yoga and this book was easy to understand and use.What I liked very much about this book was that it explained where stress comes from and why and how to prevent it beside using the exercises.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't realize how good this book was....., November 22, 2005

By	Robyn - See all my reviews

I bought this book about 9 months ago, and then skimmed through it, and tried one or two exercises, and put it away. It didn't look enough like the yoga I was used to doing so I dismissed it. A few weeks ago, I started going through the 12 week program as outlined in the book, and I can't believe how wonderful it makes me feel! The first two weeks consist primarily of neck, shoulder, and upper back stretches which really relieves any tension stored there. The next two weeks adds in stretches for the lumbar region and legs, and then some more familiar poses, like shoulderstand, cobra, bow, and sun salutations are added through the rest of the program. It also includes breathing exercises and meditations, as well as recommendations for specific stress-related ailments. There are clear instructions and illustrations throughout.

I'm so glad I finally decided to give this book a try!!