American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual [ILLUSTRATED] (Spiral-bound)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Yoga -- the step-by-step process of exercise, breathing, and meditation that brings improved health, self-awareness, and self-fulfillment -- improves the quality of life of more Americans every year. An age-old discipline, yoga gradually builds physical flexibility and strength, enhances concentration and emotional stability, relieves stress, increases energy, and develops the ability to relax at will -- skills that are an important adjunct to the fitness-conscious, high-stress eighties.

Replacing the classic Light of Yoga Society Beginner's Manual, The American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual provides a safe and thorough introduction to yoga by the organization that sets the standard for yoga instruction in this country, clearly and concisely presenting its techniques to novices. The core of the program is three graded, easy-to-follow ten-week beginner's courses of 75 yoga exercises illustrated with more than 300 black-and-white photographs. This seven-and-a-half-month core curriculum is rounded out with special chapters on peaceful pregnancy, stress relief, and improved sports performance, which offer twenty additional customized routines to personalize your program. These features, along with, make The American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual a comprehensive, safe, and easy-to-use guide for beginners of any age and most levels of fitness.

* new chapters on nutrition and philosophy,

* an appendix classifying yoga poses by type and a glossary of yoga terms,

* variations for those with physical limitations,

* a tear-out, anti-stress routine for home or office,

* and a list of suggested further reading

About the Author

Alice Christensen founded the American Yoga Association -- the first nonreligious, nonprofit, educational Yoga organization in the United States -- in 1968. She is the author of 20-Minute Yoga Workouts, The American Yoga Association's New Yoga Challenge, The American Yoga Association's Easy Does It Yoga, and Yoga of the Heart. She lives in Sarasota, Florida. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 208 pages
• Publisher: Fireside (July 15, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671619357
• ISBN-13: 978-0671619350
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #705,083 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

109 of 126 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book kept me from learning yoga for a good time., June 9, 1999

By A Customer

I thought it would be a great idea to get the basics from a national association, because I understood it would mean something more serious. This is not the case. It has a mystifying preface, in which the author tells us about the experience of waking up to see a column of light at the foot of her bed after which the word yoga sprang into her mind. The same old trip- to-India/finding-Guru new-age story. Lots of silly advices, like how to be nice to your body by talking to it. It does not provide an easy start to begin poses or sequences. It lists a sequence of poses which can't be understood by someone who hasn't practiced any yoga before, and only then begins teaching the poses themselves. I only began learning yoga when I bought the tape Living Yoga - Yoga Practice for Beginners (which focuses on practicing yoga, not personal beliefs). If you happen to have practiced yoga this book might be used as reference, since it does contain a lot of poses and pictures.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pictures that Explain Everything, August 10, 1998

By A Customer

This book is a great for anyone starting yoga..it guides you through everything:breathing, meditation, nutrition, exercise, and more elements of yoga. There are hundreds of different exercises to do, each with detailed, step-by-step pictures that explain the exercise. If you want to start yoga..THIS is the book to buy!

35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just my observations...., July 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual Fully Revised and Updated (Paperback)

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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.