BOOKS+MEDIA The best new reads and CDs for lasting inspiration

together an eye-opening edu- cation about osteoporosis. Before you even get started with mountain pose, you’ll know more about your bones than you ever dreamed. The authors wisely in- clude three versions of every posture: The osteoporosis version adapts a classical pose with props. The osteopenia version introduces a basic Heart Teaching Yoga Yoga for Osteoporosis variation. The prevention The Sacred Marriage of Essential Foundations The Complete Guide version builds bone health Yoga and Mysticism and Techniques Loren Fishman, MD, and by providing greater chal- Andrew Harvey and Karuna Mark Stephens Ellen Saltonstall lenge. A few postures, such Erickson “Should we chant Om?” “Do Bone health may not be as as shoulderstand, might raise Anyone who has mastered I ask before I adjust?” “How sexy as a “yoga butt,” but the eyebrows of the medically the physical intricacies of do I modify for a pregnant Yoga for Osteoporosis makes conservative, but the authors triangle pose and then asked, student?” Mark Stephens’s a convincing argument that offer options that suit all levels “Isn’t there more to yoga than all-encompassing tome for yoga’s physical benefits are and don’t create unnecessary this?” will find ample food for both new and experienced far from superficial. Fishman, risk. Overall, an excellent re- thought in Heart Yoga. Long- teachers addresses these and a physician, and Saltonstall, source and practice guide. time yoga teacher Karuna other common concerns, a yoga therapist, have put —Kelly McGonigal Erickson and scholar Andrew while offering an exhaustive Harvey offer a heart-centered overview of philosophy, approach that melds hatha history, yoga styles, and Memoir & Myth yoga with visualizations, po- guidelines for practice. In etry, and other practices from addition to exploring several the world’s mystical tradi- guided meditations, breath- Chants of a Lifetime tions. The book includes sev- ing techniques, and variations Searching for a Heart of Gold eral simple sequences, of sun salutations, Stephens Krishna Das clearly instructed and liberally breaks down 108 , Yoga’s premier chant master relates sprinkled with verses from pointing out the primary how the path of devotion, enlivened by spiritual texts and poems by risks and key aspects of each spiritually-charged music, saved him from the likes of Rumi and Walt pose. A chapter on the sci- debilitating depression. Krishna Das’s Whitman. Pragmatists who ence of sequencing offers pilgrimages lead him, and us, to a vastly wince at phrases such as “di- five essential principles for expanded experience of love in this moving memoir, which vine light” and “sacred activ- creating safe balanced hatha includes a kirtan CD and sheet music. —Linda Johnsen ism” may find this book a bit classes. Authoritative and esoteric for their tastes. But engaging, but never dog- Myths of the Asanas those looking to infuse their matic, Teaching Yoga will Alanna Kaivalya and Arjuna van der Kooij practice with a deeper sense of help instructors fine-tune Yoga students memorize the names of postures like kur- devotion will find Heart Yoga their classroom skills and masana or astavakrasana, but how many of us know who filled with inspiration and empower their personal Kurma or Astavakra actually were? This book heightens our beauty. practice. appreciation of the poses by revealing the ancient legends —Claudia Cummins —Kathryn Heagberg associated with them. —L.J. >>

68 yoga+joyful living summer 2010 yogaplus.org By making raw tomato soup alongside Charlie Trotter Personalize Your Practice and fish soup with Jean-Pierre Healing Yoga for Moullé, you can refine your Neck & Shoulder Pain Carol Krucoff With a well-rounded practice and a touch of philosophy, Krucoff tackles the causes of neck and shoulder pain, from head-forward posture to the feeling of “carrying the weight of the world.” An approachable guide from an experienced yoga thera- pist, this is a book you can confidently give your aging : The Origins of mother or your skeptical physician. —K.M. Modern Posture Practice Mark Singleton for Motherhood In this meticulously re- Geeta S. Iyengar, Rita Keller, searched academic text full skills and gain the confidence Kerstin Khattab of stunning archival photo- to explore new combinations Written by three experienced graphs, the author reveals of fresh, locally grown foods. Iyengar teachers, two of whom are , as practiced in the —Crystal Ketterhagen doctors, Iyengar Yoga for Mother- West, to be a product derived hood includes prenatal, natal, and from medieval fakirism, early postnatal asana and practices; solutions for 1900s Indian nationalism, common discomforts; and ayurvedic recipes for opti- vaudeville sideshows, and mal maternal health. Clear and comprehensive, this pre–WWII British women’s holistic guide is highly recommended for moms-to-be gymnastics, among other in- and their teachers. —K.H. fluences. A sympathetic por- trayal of Sri Krishnamacharya Big Yoga: A Simple Guide for Bigger Bodies rounds out the contentious Meera Patricia Kerr treatise, revealing the father Big Yoga is an encouraging reminder of as a sincere The Yoga Sessions that yoga is for everybody. This is practitioner severely compro- EarthRise SoundSystem no watered-down practice. With the mised by politics and social New York studio musicians exception of wall and chair alterna- trends. Derek Beres and Duke tives to sun salutations, the content —Neal Pollack Mushroom seamlessly mix is similar to what you’d find in any Thievery Corporation–style introduction to yoga. The key difference: Keer, a “big” In the Green Kitchen dub beats with original woman, models the poses beautifully. —K.M. Techniques to Learn by Heart guitar, violin, and tabla Alice Waters recordings into something Yoga Therapy Food legend Alice Waters far beyond the syrupy mess for Every Special Child curates 30 simple but funda- that typically passes for Nancy Williams mental cooking techniques— “yoga music.” By deploying Williams, a pediatric speech and from skinning peppers to traditional Sanskrit chanting neurodevelopmental therapist, offers shucking corn—as presented alongside Hebrew vocals, a playful mix of poses, breathing, by famous chefs and foodies they call to mind pioneering relaxation, and yoga games for chil- during Slow Food Nation, world-music groups like Dis- dren with special needs. It’s a one-size-fits-all program a 2008 celebration of whole- sidenten. Even if you believe with just one chapter on adapting the sequence for some sustainable eating. that yoga should be done in specific disorders. What does stand out? The realistic Fifty uncomplicated recipes monastic silence, this is still a child-friendly practices and spot-on tips for dealing with illustrate the methods in this great chill-out soundtrack for developmental challenges. —K.M. Q slim but practical resource. after practice ends. —N.P.

70 yoga+joyful living summer 2010 yogaplus.org