Veggie Blog

This thoughtful and heady book approaches Yoga from both a personal and therapeutic angle. This is typical of the Viniyoga tradition, which tailors practice to individual needs. Gary Kraftsow, a world-renowned Viniyoga instructor, illustrates in words and over a thousand photographs why Yoga is (or should be) a holistic practice, which takes all aspects of a person’s well-being into consideration.

Although the first part of this book goes over the basics, it is not really for a Yoga novice. Rather, it’s for those who want to add depth to their practice by exploring the Viniyoga tradition. Kraftsow goes deeply into breathing, and explains the importance of sequencing postures and also touches on sound and props. The basic poses are discussed, as are the risks of each type of posture (forward and backward bends, lateral bends, twists, extensions, inversions and balance). This is merely the beginning. The next two hundred pages – the therapeutic applications, called Yoga Cikitsa – are really the meat of book.

Kraftsow doesn’t just throw out a few healing sequences, he sets the stage by talking a bit about anatomy and the different systems of the human body. Then he reveals how the Yoga postures work to help with each condition – back problems, asthma, hyper and hypo-tension and thyroid conditions, to name a few. He also devotes a whole chapter to Yoga and emotional health, an area that is all-too often neglected. Anyone who has practiced Yoga seriously for a while has noticed that breakthroughs in their practice tend to coincide with emotional breakthroughs. It doesn’t take a big leap to understand the healing relationship Asana can have on the emotions.

This is not a book for the casual Yoga enthusiast who pops into class now and again to gain a bit of flexibility. It’s for those who are fascinated by Yoga’s complexity, and who want to add more facets of it to their practice.

Book: Yoga for Wellness by Gary Kraftsow
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Helen Garabedian is a yoga instructor and a mother. So it makes sense that in 1999 she decided to combine her love of yoga and children to create Itsy Bitsy Yoga. Helen has since written two books, created a line of baby yoga clothing, and created several DVDs, all in the Itsy Bitsy Yoga line.

Garabedian has written two books instructing parents how to do Itsy Bitsy Yoga with their children. The first book, Itsy Bitsy Yoga: Poses to Help Your Baby Sleep Longer, Digest Better, and Grow Stronger [Fireside, 2004], is geared toward younger babies. The poses are mostly with baby on his back or in a parent’s lap. The second book, Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers: 8-Minute Routines to Help Your Child Grow Smarter, Be Happier, and Behave Better [Da Capo Press, 2008], is for older children who are able to stand, walk, and participate more in the yoga activities.

Book: Itsy Bitsy Yoga by Helen Garabedian
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Ananda and Crystal Clarity Publishers are pleased to announce the online publication of the complete first edition of Paramhansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi.

Through this online version, we hope to make Yogananda’s spiritual classic freely available to seekers throughout the world. The print version of the 1946 Autobiography is available direct from Crystal Clarity Publishers through secure online ordering. We hope you enjoy this free gift of the first online edition.

Ananda was founded by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda. Kriyananda was inspired by his guru to start ‘World Brotherhood Colonies’. Ananda, and its sister colonies throughout the world, are the fulfillment of Yogananda’s dream. See Chapter 48, in this 1946 edition, to read Yogananda’s own words on World Brotherhood Colonies.

This is a verbatim reproduction of the original 1946 edition, complete with the original photos, many of them not seen since earlier editions. Although subsequent printings, reflecting revisions made after the Yogananda’s death in 1952, have sold over a million copies and have been translated into more than 19 languages, the few thousand of the original have long since disappeared into the hands of collectors.

Now, with this online version, the 1946 edition is widely available, with all its inherent power, just as Yogananda first presented it.

Book: Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda
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Suza Francina’s The New Yoga for Healthy Aging approaches yoga as something that can change alongside our bodies. Instead of expecting every reader to perform a standard pose, its description emphasizes props, gentle modifications and step-by-step photographs. That focus makes it relevant to older beginners and people looking for a less demanding practice.

What is the original book about?

Francina is associated with the Iyengar approach to yoga, in which the careful use of supports such as blocks, straps, chairs and blankets can help people adapt a posture. The book’s description presents accessible poses for readers concerned about ageing, stiffness and mobility. It is not a book that expects everyone to be athletic or exceptionally flexible.

What should readers understand about the health claims?

Some older promotional descriptions suggest that yoga can prevent serious problems such as osteoporosis-related fractures. That goes too far. Yoga may contribute to balance, strength and well-being, but it cannot be relied upon to prevent fractures or treat osteoporosis. In some circumstances, strong twisting or deep forward bending may require modification for someone with fragile bones.

The NCCIH guide to yoga and safety specifically notes the need for extra caution in older adults and recommends discussing relevant health conditions with both a healthcare professional and the instructor.

Is the book still available?

Francina still lists the title on her own website. It remains useful as a historical introduction to accessible yoga.

Related on Veggie-Blog: What Yoga Can and Cannot Do and Making Yoga a Lifetime Habit.

Book: The New Yoga for Healthy Aging by Suza Francina
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The featured image is an AI-generated illustration, not a photo of real people or an official book cover.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Yoga was written to make yoga feel less daunting. Its illustrated approach explains what a posture looks like and how a beginner can move into and out of it. If you have ever opened a yoga book and felt overwhelmed by unfamiliar names or complex positions, that accessible format is the central appeal here.

What will you find in this book?

The edition described in the original Veggie-Blog post emphasizes step-by-step, two-colour line illustrations rather than ordinary photographs. The drawings are intended to show both the shape of a pose and the movements involved in reaching it. The book sits within a series aimed at readers who want the basics without a lot of specialist terminology.

It is also worth checking the edition before you buy. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Yoga has appeared in multiple editions, including later illustrated versions. Bibliographic records credit Joan Budilovsky and Eve Adamson as authors; the older page title mentions only Budilovsky.

Is a yoga book enough for a complete beginner?

A clearly illustrated book is useful for learning vocabulary, exploring simple postures and deciding which approach appeals to you. It cannot, however, tell you whether you are compensating for a stiff hip or putting too much pressure on a knee. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) advises practising with a qualified instructor, especially when learning unfamiliar movements.

Begin with comfortable standing and seated positions, keep breathing normally and do not force a shape simply because the illustration makes it look easy. Anyone with significant joint problems, a recent injury or another health concern may need specific modifications.

Can you still buy the book?

Used editions are still offered, although condition and stock vary.

Related on Veggie-Blog: What Is Yoga? and Before You Start Yoga: Warm-Up and Breathing.

Book: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Yoga by Joan Budilovsky and Eve Adamson
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