50+ Yoga: Tips and Techniques for a Safe and Healthy Practice »

As baby boomers pass age 50, problems with knees, ankles, and backs are leading them into lower-impact forms of fitness. The stress of career and later-in-life children also have them seeking new ways to relax. Combine these pressures and it is no surprise that yoga is increasing in popularity among the 50-plus crowd. Tailored specifically for this burgeoning population, 50+ Yoga offers a straightforward approach that makes it easy to learn yoga at any age.

The book's adaptable program allows readers in good shape to experience a challenging workout, while people with physical limitations benefit from gentler postures, breathing exercises, and meditation practices. Throughout the book, the author focuses on the needs of older beginning students, providing tips for moving comfortably into a pose, avoiding injury, and using helpful props, such as chairs, foam blocks, and cotton straps.

The author details the basic principles of yoga and teaches the common elements of all postures and movements: alignment, breath, and awareness. However, the vast majority of the book is devoted to teaching the yoga poses through the use of step-by-step photos, clearly written instructions, and helpful hints from the author.

Library Journal

Writing with great insight and humor, 50-year-old Yoga Journal contributing editor Rosen explains how aging boomers can begin a yoga practice that may help decelerate the aging process, physically and psychologically. Dividing his guide into four parts, he details basic yoga principles and the common elements of posture and movement. In Part 1, he covers yoga basics, its benefits, and the ABCs of practice, while in Part 2 he offers the foundation of all poses and fundamental instruction on how the body should be aligned. Part 3 provides about 50 poses with their Sanskrit name, pronunciation, and literal translation; Rosen also lists the pose's benefits and gives tips, cautions, and extra challenges. Many of the poses are modified, using a chair, wall, block, strap, or blanket, and all poses are accompanied by clear and informative photos. Part 4 ends with simple breathing exercises, sequencing suggestions, and a section on finding the right teacher. A nice addition to health and wellness collections where yoga is popular.-Dede Fellrath-Archer, Tampa, FL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.