Customer Reviews

Yoga with Weights For Dummies

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Once you get past the "dummies" title, this book is stellar! Many of us have tried Yoga and / or lifted weights in the gym. I used to be one of those Yogis that kept the two practices separate, but Sherri Baptiste and Megan Scott, PhD have brought these two practices together in perfect harmony. I like the specificity of merging breath and movement, not only the physical lifting of weights (1-3 pound hand weights) while in authentic Yoga postures, but with concentration on the muscles being used. The pictures are very helpful so that you can check your alignment. Caveat: this is part of the Dummies series, so don't expect a glossy coffee table book. This book is meant to be dog-eared with your regular in-depth practice, one you refer to again and again. I have tabs all over mine so I can revisit my favorites, such as Side Plank and Half Moon in Chapter 10 - the Strengthening Workout. Tip: the ankle weights make such a difference so make sure you use these. There are many kinds out there and the sand-filled ones are the most comfortable. This book has LOTS of extras such as guidance on nutrition (Chapter 13) easy-to-understand anatomy (Chapter 15) and Exercises for Seniors (Chapter 18). You will begin to see and more importantly FEEL the difference in your body within a few weeks.

The book is good, gives you lots of tips and precautions. My biggest complaint is I would like the Sanskrit names of positions. Yes I realize the weights modify a pose but it's something I am interested in. I also really like to flow my practice, and this book offers several practices for different goals, but I have to adjust to create my own flow. Otherwise, it's like moving from one position to the next without beauty and grace, which is one of my favorite parts of vinyassa yoga.

This was good to do something a little different, I could think of more things that may have been in this book, but it gave me a good start.