Cool Yoga Tricks

This book is totally cool, delightful and delicious, just like yoga! I initially bought this book for my 23 year old daughter, thinking she could relate to the title. I quickly saw that the "tricks", clearly illustrated by people of different ages, various body types and backgrounds, are techniques for safely deepening our yoga practice. The author, Miriam Austin, credits her most influential teachers, including Ramanand Patel, who is well known for his ingenious use of yoga props. I'm adding this title to my list of recommended books for older students and their teachers! Suza Francina, author, The New Yoga for People Over 50 and Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause.

Do you consider yourself "flexibly challenged"? Are you a yoga instructor who needs ideas on how to modify poses for your students? If you fall into either category, this is THE book for you. Miriam Austin, author of "Yoga For Wimps" and "Meditation For Wimps", has put together a brilliant book that can assist even the stiffest person achieve postures that they never thought possible. Using props that you can find around your own home (chairs, blankets, etc.), Austin demonstrates many different ways to employ these 'tricks' to enhance your practice and master classic yoga postures. There are over 200 different methods revealed in this book - with precise directions and clear pictures. It is obvious that Austin is inspired by the yoga master, BKS Iyengar, who originated the use of props. Many of these ideas may not be 'new' - but they really do work! This book is extremely valuable for yoga instructors - in classes, you will come across many people with many different limitations. It can be frustrating for a student if they think that they can't do a pose. With these 'cool yoga tricks' at your disposal, you can help them assume the pose in a way that is not only best for their body type but safe as well. It will truly enhance your skills and your students will appreciate you for it!

This book is just plain excellent. I have already given two copies to friends (actually, I had to replace my copy twice because my friends took my copy and refused to return the book). Buy this book and use it. Bob Spena

I have only flipped through this book since receiving it, but I am thrilled with the information in it! It is not just how to add props to a few poses, as I expected, but also has ideas for how to 'teach' your body what it should be doing in each pose. It does this first by explaining what is meant by concepts such as 'press the top of your thighs back', or 'rotate your upper arms inward', then provides instructions and photos for assisted exercises to achieve these concepts. Sometimes your 'prop' is another person (or two!) to assist your body in achieving these poses. This book has me looking forward to practicing more than any other book I've seen recently! While this book will not satisfy those looking for a traditional yoga instruction with spiritual and breath aspects, it is an excellent beginning and intermediate guide to the physical practice of yoga.

This book is all about learning to modify yoga poses to make them work for YOU. It begins by helping you to become more aware of your body and how to control the way it moves. For example, many yoga poses include the instruction "roll your thighs outward"--how do you do that? This book doesn't just TELL you how, it SHOWS you how! Using a varitey of props such as blankets, straps, bolsters, chairs, and even helpful friends, you will learn to find comfort in some of the most common yoga poses, such as downward facing dog, standing forward bend, seated forward bend, and headstand. Yoga teachers and students of various shapes and sizes illustrate the many poses included in this book. This book is an excellent tool for anyone looking to further their yoga practice by attaining postures best suited to their ability.