OFF-TOPIC? Plus-Sized Yoga - A good book for beginners in Yoga

[Guest guest]

The book review may be off-topic for some group members but is shared to help

others who may benefit. I am the reviewer of the book and have no other interest

in it.

 

Regards

 

Swamy

 

--\

---

 

Title: Plus-Sized Yoga

 

Sub-Title: Beginners Yoga for People of All Sizes

 

Author: Donald Keith Stanley

 

Publisher: DK Creative

 

ISBN: 978-0-9825449-9-0

 

Genre: Non-Fiction / Health / Yoga / Self-Help

 

Presentation: Soft Cover, Landscape mode (size 8 1/2 " x 11 " )

 

The book attracts your attention with its size, in tune with its title. It is a

plus-sized book but is quite readable. It is not meant to be carried around in

your coat pocket or purse but can be comfortably read at home. Almost all the

exercises (Asanas, Mudras etc. ) are meant for practicing at home.

 

The book has 225 pages and has three main parts. Part One - In a Class by

Yourself has 64 pages and has two meanings, one that each of us is unique and

it is always good to remember that when we feel too much stereotyped and also

because at home in the privacy of your room, you are indeed in a class of your

own, with the author preferring to communicate in spirit and through the book!

The first part has an Introduction, the Benefits of Kundalini Yoga, Terms to

learn, Practicing Kundalini Yoga at Home, Mudras, The Body Locks, Breathing,

Mantras, How to Meditate, The Importance of Relaxation and Tuning In -

Connecting to the Teacher Within.

 

Part Two has some postures (Asanas), Kriyas (Breathing Exercises), Meditations

and an interesting topic, " I don't have time to meditate " Meditations etc.

 

Part Three is titled, Be Happier Now! and deals with physical and psychological

issues of being Plus-Sized, issues of Self-Judgment, dealing with judgment of

others etc.

 

All in all, it is a very interesting book and will be useful if you are

interested in Yoga, Meditation, Breathing Exercises etc. The system presented in

this book is attributed to Yogi Bhajan (the author is a student of that Yogi).

While I am familiar with many of the concepts presented here, I hasten to add

that I am not a follower of this or for that matter any system of Yoga that

deals with physical Asanas, Mudras etc. I am a follower of Bhakti Yoga (the path

of devotion) and am a Reiki Master / Spiritual Healer etc. I only use breathing

techniques for relaxation and if needed for energy improvement. Thus, I have not

tried and tested the specific techniques given in this book but as the author

mentions in his acknowledgement the techniques have indeed been tried and tested

by quite a few people mentioned by name.

 

If you are looking for a safe and effective method for improvement of health

(physical and more importantly emotional), this book may appeal to you. I

suggest that you check it out at a near by book store.

 

I would have preferred this book to be half its size so that it can be carried

to a class if needed or some of the Mudras and breathing techniques could be

used while travelling. It may also be made available in electronic form (esp.

suited for a mobile phone) so that you have access to the information on the

move.