Review: Solid content
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 24, 2013
This is a solid book on the interesting practice of "hot" yoga. The emphasis in this book is NOT on "positions." The focus is on describing the practice of hot yoga and motivating us to try it out. Hot yoga refers to the temperature of the room. In many traditional cultures, hot rooms (think sweat lodges) are part of a mystic tradition, and the author points out that hot yoga is also considered Power Yoga!The benefits to hot yoga are much like any form of yoga -- a calming meditative state, improved blood circulation, mood, muscle tone, etc. -- but hot yoga goes further. The heat opens pores, loosens muscles, helps improve tissue elasticity, opens airways, and more.In the practice sections of the book, the author is crystal clear about what to do and not do, emphasizing caution with medical conditions. He describes how to set up a home studio or how to select a class and compatible teacher. The entire "practice" section of the book feels like Rosenstein is taking you by the hand and walking you through the process as a friend. He explains that this is YOUR practice, and you must set up a situation and awareness that allows you to incorporate hot yoga into your life successfully.Although the language seems a bit formal, the explanations are thorough and friendly. The author is clearly an expert, and I found that reading this quick book was like talking to a "hot yoga" guru. My advice: If you are thinking about doing hot yoga, this is a must-read before you begin, and if you've already taken the plunge, you'll get great ideas from the history and expert viewpoint.