Review: Great overview of yoga and all its health benefits--includes video tutorial on youtube!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 25, 2013
What if you found the ideal exercise which can be done by anyone, and the only equipment needed was loose clothing (and maybe a mat)?I swear by yoga. I've been doing it 30 years and whenever I feel low energy or depression, my 30-minute workout energizes and rejuvenates me. I feel it's kept my face looking younger and my body more flexible, thus preventing injuries and aches.This book, however, enlightened me on what yoga can do for weight loss. It doesn't just burn calories, but it also de-stresses you, making you less likely to overeat. It regulates hormones that help you burn fat, and lowers cortisol, the stress hormone that increases belly fat.  It tones and sometimes even builds muscles, which make you burn more calories. It boosts the metabolism and stimulates detox. (Toxins cause the body to hold onto fat, by the way.) It alkalizes the body to lower fat accumulation and activates the thyroid, the gland that regulates the metabolism.Other benefits the authors state about yoga include increasing flexibility, boosting the immune system, increasing GABA (which relaxes you), lowering anxiety, increasing self-esteem and confidence, strengthening the joints, boosting bone density,  boosting the digestive system, and a whole lot more.The authors compare yoga to high impact sports, weight training, and cardio exercises. They discuss the various types of yoga such as ashtang, power, Bikram (hot), hatha, and vinyasa. (Oddly they left out kundalini yoga.) They discuss how many calories are burned per hour, with Bikram coming out ahead at 630 calories.The book includes a section on asanas (poses) with photos, steps listed (including breath), and best of all--video tutorials on youtube! What a bargain this book is when you consider it's like having a DVD along with it! Each pose section also includes its benefits and the conditions in which the person should not attempt the pose (ex: certain injuries or pregnancy). With the exception of the crow pose nearly all the poses were things beginners can start doing. The authors also list poses according to their category, such as weight loss, building muscle, or benefiting certain organs.Included in the book are the diet for yoga (includes recipes), warm up exercises, yoga for beginners (with a video tutorial), weight loss tips and habits, why breathing is important along with breathing exercises, meditation instructions, experts and studies on yoga, a bibliography and the chance to sign up for their newsletter.A must have for anyone who is new to yoga and/or wants to lose weight and keep it off.Susan Schenck, award-winning author of The Live Food Factor: The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & PlanetandBeyond Broccoli, Creating a Biologically Balanced Diet When a Vegetarian Diet Doesn't WorkandExpats in Cuenca, Ecuador: The Magic & the MadnessAndHealing a Midlife Crisis on El Camino de Santiago