Yoga for Your Mind and Body

April 15, 2015
Grades 8-11 Keep calm and do yoga should be the mantra of this manual, which introduces teen girls to the ancient practice from India that balances the body, mind, and spirit. An opening section describes what yoga is, suggests tips for warming up the muscles, and offers a visual reference to yoga props. The bulk of the book, however, comprises more than 90 yoga poses, including popular ones, such as Child's Pose, Hero Pose, Downward Facing Dog, and Warrior 2, demonstrated by a variety of teens in large color photographs. Arranged according to four primary benefits of yoga (feeling less stressed, improving flexibility, improving strength, and boosting brainpower), each pose incorporates a brief explanation and step-by-step instructions for placing the body into the correct position. Additional tips give suggestions for body placement, while dotted lines give visual cues on proper alignment. Many pages also have written and/or visual modifications for making the poses easier or more difficult. Newbies and experienced yogis alike will benefit from this easy-to-follow guide.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)