Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times (Paperback)

by Judith Hanson Lasater Ph.D. (Author), Judith Lasater (Author) "Taking time out each day to relax and renew is essential to living well..." (more)
Key Phrases: extra blanket for warmth, several normal cycles, head wrap alternative, Coming Back, Being There, Centering Breath (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Relax & Renew is the first to devote itself entirely to restorative yoga, providing a series of yoga postures designed to relieve chronic stress. Exercise programs are introduced with a series of insights and stipulations which instructs on yoga techniques for everything from insomnia to basic relaxation. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Description
Experience the rest of your life with restorative yoga, the supported poses and breathing practices that will help you heal the effects of chronic stress. In Relax and Renew, the first book exclusively devoted to this work, the author offers in-depth guidance in the Basic Relaxation Pose (Savasana), the heart of restorative practice. In addition, this book provides yoga sequences for busy days, including a fifteen-minute practice, yoga at your desk, and the Totally Invisible Relaxation; programs for back pain, headaches, insomnia, jet lag, and breathing problems; a special section for women during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause; a guide to props; and resources for finding a yoga teacher, recommended books, magazines, newsletters, audio programs, yoga vacations, and more.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Rodmell Press; 1 edition (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962713848
• ISBN-13: 978-0962713842
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,425 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #8 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Personal Health > Stress > Exercise
  #34 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The art of relaxation made easy., August 4, 1999

By A Customer

This book is all about letting go by doing nothing purposefully. Judith Lasater, a very experienced Iyengar yoga teacher, shows the reader in words and pictures how to use everyday props (e.g., blankets, pillows,walls and floors) to travel the highway to the state of relaxation. I had the opportunity to practice restorative yoga with Ms. Lasater in Montana about two years ago and I can attest to the fact this yoga works to relax both the mental and physical muscles in the body if practiced regularly. Since most people can't go off to Montana to practice yoga, this book is the next best thing to being there.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive guide for using yoga to relieve stress, August 12, 2004

By	Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book is written by Judith Lasater, renowned yoga instructor and physical therapist, and it centers around restorative yoga, a form of yoga practice aimed specifically and reducing stress through increasing relaxation. Restorative yoga has its basis in the Iyengar tradition, which encourages use of props to allow one to relax more deeply into the yoga postures. In this book, a wide variety of specialty props are used; Lasater helpfully breaks down the props into necessary and optional categories, and she offers suggestions for everyday objects which can be substituted for the traditional yoga equipment.

The book is very well-organized into several general themes. Part One provides an introduction to restorative yoga as well as a description of the most important posture, basic relaxation pose; it also includes both a general restorative practice and a practice for busy days. Part Two focuses on specific issues, including lower back pain, headaches, insomnia, breathing difficulties, and jet lag. The third section is designed specifically for women and offers practices for menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Finally, Part Four provides additional information such as breath instruction and general stress reduction strategies, and several useful appendices conclude the book.

The instructions for performing each pose are beautiful illustrated with clear black and white photographs, and the accompanying written directions are meticulously detailed, incorporating sections on setting up, being there (relaxing into the pose), coming back (getting out of the pose), benefits, and cautions. For every posture sequence, Lasater offers both a summary of the poses involved and options for doing a shorter or longer practice. The gentleness of the included postures makes this book completely appropriate for beginning yoga practitioners, but more experienced yogis will also benefit from adding a restorative component to their practice.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to release, let go, and relax.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone who wants to reduce stress in their life!, February 17, 1999

By A Customer

Judith Lasater's wonderful book on restorative yoga, Relax & Renew, sits near my yoga mat in plain view, reminding me to take time everyday to restore and replenish myself.

Two years ago my already busy life as a mother, yoga teacher, writer and community activist got even busier when I decided to run for public office and serve on our local City Council. Instead of drinking coffee to keep going, I practice the restorative poses taught in Judith Lasater's book. I refer to Relax & Renew regularly to deepen my own understanding of restorative yoga and also to better instruct my students.

For busy people juggling many hats, I recommend this book highly! A must read for politicians and anyone wanting to reduce stress in their life!