The Woman's Book of Yoga and Health: A Lifelong Guide to...

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 352 pages
• Published by: Shambhala December 3, 2002
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1570624704
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1570624704
• Book Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 2.7 pounds

From Booklist
Sparrowe, former editor of Yoga Journal, has teamed up with one of the most preeminent yoga instructors in the country, Walden, to put together a comprehensive guide to yoga for women. The book contains numerous yoga sequences and photographs and is designed to be a lifelong reference guide for female practitioners. Basic sequences for women are covered as well as recommended sequences for pregnancy and menstruation. The chapters for later stages of life are particularly helpful, with sequences addressing such issues as erratic mood swings and hot flashes. Sparrowe and Walden are frank about their own experiences with aging and also draw on the experiences of other seasoned yoga practitioners to provide honest, practical advice. The book covers many other health issues, with relevance to both men and women, such as eating disorders, back problems, depression, and immune system disorders. Jane Tuma
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Review
"You'll find an amazing range of women's health concerns addressed here. . . . It deserves a spot on your bookshelf next to other well-worn health references."— Natural Health

"The definitive guide to yoga and women's health."— Yoga Journal

"Linda and Patricia have compiled an essential book—both for women who practice yoga and for all yoga teachers. The Woman's Book of Yoga and Health is a vital, inspiring guide for women in all stages of life."—Rodney Yee, author of Yoga: The Poetry of the Body

"A thorough and compassionate guide to achieving a healthy, balanced life for women of all ages—inspiring and empowering."—Kathryn Arnold, Editor-in-Chief, Yoga Journal

"A awesome invitation for all to enjoy the many levels of hatha yoga. Both clear and creative, this book is a must for all students and teachers." —Lilias Folan, host of the groundbreaking PBS series Lilias, Yoga and You

"In The Woman's Book of Yoga and Health, Linda and Patricia give us practical methods for developing a steady and joyous relationship to our own feminine bodies, to the earth, and to the Divine Mother. These are the voices of two ordinary women who have done extraordinary things and who are sharing their findings without pretension. They speak from the heart."—Sharon Cannon, creator of Jivamukti Yoga

"Women everywhere will be grateful for this book. It's immensely practical, user friendly, and yet it still manages to reverberate with the central mystery of yoga: the possibility of living authentically, wildly, and passionately in our resilient, powerful, at times frail, and always aging bodies." —Stephen Cope, Senior Scholar in Residence, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and author of Yoga and the Quest for the True Self

Reader Reviews
This book is written by long-time yoga practitioner Linda Sparrowe in conjunction with Patricia Walden, a world-renowned yogi. They have created a unique manual on health and wellness throughout the lifespan which is designed specifically for women. Although the main focus is on yoga sequences, the book also includes general information on various health-related issues faced by women as well as tips and strategies for maintaining health. The book is organized into sections which correspond to each phase of a woman's life. For example, Part Two, The Time of Awakening, is geared towards teenaged/young adult women and focuses on menstrual health and immune system support, whereas the final section, Wisdom from the Heart, is designed with older women in mind and concentrates on minimizing postmenopausal symptoms and other similar conditions. Although each section does have an intended age audience, women of all ages are likely to find something of use in every chapter--for example, a younger woman struggling with depression might benefit from the depression chapter geared to postpartum women, whereas an older woman who suffers from headaches could obtain assistance from the "Relieving Headaches" chapter written as part of the Coming Into Fullness section. There are also three general yoga sequences at the start of the book which are intended for all women; these sequences revolve around essential, energizing, and restorative themes. Beginning yoga practitioners will find the short introduction on how to use the book to be helpful. Patricia Walden's training is in Iyengar yoga, which means that she utilizes a variety of props to make the poses more accessible. Props are particularly recommended for restorative postures, as they allow you to relax more fully into the pose. Easy-to-understand, detailed instructions and clear, precise photographs are used to describe every yoga pose. Many of the poses also include information about positive effects, potential modifications, and any cautions. Some sequences detail shorter practices with only 6 or so postures included, but others offer longer practices of up to 26 postures. This book is appropriate for female yogis of all levels, from beginning to advanced (although I should note that many of the sequences include headstand and/or shouldstand, postures that shouldn't be attempted by beginners without the aid of a yoga instructor). The book would make a wonderful gift for any woman with an interest in wellness issues, and I highly recommend it!