Stretch and Relax

This book was originally published in England. My husband and I were fortunate enough to attend a couple of years of classes with Terry Tobias (the author's husband and also a yoga instructor). I should mention that I am overweight and out of shape. I've taken other yoga classes since then, and this beautifully illustrated book fills a real need in showing all aspects of various postures - and takes each one through the variations from less stretch (basic, easy) to more advanced. The attention to detail on positioning, breathing, relaxation and body structure is excellent. The focus of the book is on Yoga for stretching, suppleness, stamina, strength, relaxation and toning, but specific sections also address relieving stiffness (including backache), relieving stress (including emotional), and even having a baby. The book is like having an instructor at your side giving you individual instruction. I should also mention this book is written for Western-oriented audiences. Although the authors have studied in India, this book, while discussing energization and relaxation techniques, does NOT address Yoga philosophy per se.

I've found it more helpful in dealing with my lower back problems than hundreds of dollars worth of physical therapy. I gave my copy to a friend, and only then discovered that it's out of print. What a great loss! I've been trying to get a copy for a few years now.