Big Yoga: A Simple Guide for Bigger Bodies
Starred Review. Though the power of yoga to help reverse heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels-problems endemic to the overweight-is well-established, the popular image of the rail-thin yoga guru can discourage those who might benefit most. Kerr, a yoga instructor for 30 years, understands the challenges of the heavy-set; describing herself as "beefy, athletic, and loud," she provides a complete, much-needed guide for making yoga work regardless of limitations like weight, stiffness, injury or disability. Without skipping over yoga's history and evolution or its spiritual dimensions, as well as personal accounts of her training and the development of Big Yoga, Kerr adapts traditional Hatha yoga poses that work for everyone, and discusses each alongside a generous series of photos. With broad, thorough coverage of yoga's many aspects, including breathing technique and meditation as well as poses and their adaptations, Kerr's manual is a welcoming, comprehensive exercise program for the rest of us.