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| On 2005-07-22 18:21:53 -0700, Joey Goldstein <nospam@nowhere.net> said:
>
> What do you folks think about these two books:
> 1. Richard Hittleman's Yoga - 28 Day Exercise Plan
> 2. Essential Yoga by Olivia H. Miller
>
> I've been doing many of the exercises in these books for a while now.
> They both seem to benefit my over-all well being (less back pain, etc.)
> but in slightly different ways. I'd like to have a single routine that
> I adhere to, for the most part.
> Both books have suggested routines but neither book seems to be as
> complete as I would like.
>
> #2 Seems more in line with other novice yoga books I've seen but the
> Hittleman book seems to have some uncommon variations to well known
> exercises, like the Cobra and Triangle, which makes me wonder a bit. He
> doesn't even have Downward Dog included. The Hittleman book also appears
> to be written for women and I wonder if some of the exercises are even
> supposed to be possible for men. Still, I generally feel more energized
> after doing his routines than with the other book's.
>
> Do any of you have any other suggestions for a great beginner yoga book?
The most comprehensive book, with alternative poses for those who may
be stiff or have bad backs is Iyengar's "Yoga, The Path to Holistic
Health". It is a bit expensive, but it is clearly written and has
information no other book has.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...5Fencoding=UTF8
About
> me...
> I'm a 51 year old male, in embarassingly bad shape.
> 5'8", 210 lbs.
> Body pains (persistent lower back pain, rotator cuff injury type pain,
> miscellaneous muscle pains, etc.) that lead me to think I'm in the early
> stages of arthritis (my Mom has it pretty bad). Many of even the
> simplest yoga exercises are beyond my physical capabilities. Still they
> seem to help, as long as I don't overdo it. General health is OK though.
I first became interested in Yoga in the 60's. I dabbled in different
practices for many years.
I have a spodylothisis L5-S1. I was in a car accident in 1991 that
destroyed my lower vertebrae. I got very serious about using yoga to
bring myself to health. I spent some years researching different yogic
schools. I live in Los Angeles and had the opportunity to try,
Ashtanga, Power, Bikram, Kundilini, Sivinanda and all the hybrid forms.
The only method that has worked out ways to practice for people with
specific pathologies is the Iyengar method.
>
> I know that yoga classes are probably a better way to go. I've only ever
> been to one class and the teacher pushed me quite a bit harder than I
> had been lead to believe that a yoga teacher should. This hasn't totally
> turned me off of classes but I'd still rather keep going with books for
> a while longer.
You should go to a class where the teacher is trained to understand
pathologies. Iyengar teachers are required classes in physiology,
anatomy and muscle mechanics. They understand how to modify the asanas
for specific condition.
If a teacher is pushing, leave the class immediately. Try to find a
qualified teacher.
>
> I am not looking for a spiritual awakening, although it would not be
> unwelcome. <g>
> I'm in it basically to try to stave off the pain of arthritis and to
> just generally get in shape more, regain elasticity, etc. Any yoga books
> geared towards weight loss would be of interest to me too.
There are no yoga books on weight lose. One looses weight by limiting
calorie intake and aerobic exercise. Hiking, running, swimming, bike
riding. Everyday. Start with 5 or 10 minutes but get to 40 minutes of
more.
Stay away from starches, sugars, and high fats. They are addictive.
Once you go without them for a few weeks its pretty easy to resist them
after.
The yoga is for before and after that exercise.
> It seems that
> my stomach gets in the way of some exercises like Child Pose and some of
> the seated Spinal Twist variations. I guess a book of yoga poses for
> people with fat stomachs might be in order for me! <g>
An Iyengar trained teacher will be able to explain how to work around
your stomach.
>
> Also, any good web sites to suggest?
http://www.iyengar-yoga.com/
>
> Any info appreciated.
--
~Stu
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