Yoga Zone Introduction to Yoga: A Beginner's Guide to Health, Fitness, and Relaxation » (1ST)

Alan Finger was born in South Africa and began his yoga practice at the age of fifteen. He opened the first of four Yoga Zone studios in New York in 1992. In addition to several Yoga Zone instructional videos, Yoga Zone has released two CDs and offers a widely distributed catalog of yoga clothing and accessories. The Yoga Zone television show airs nationally on The Health Network daily; Alan lives in Irvington, New York.  

Al Bingham is a senior Yoga Zone instructor and is featured in the Yoga Zone television series. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Al lives in Irvington, New York.

Let the modern authority on yoga guide you on the most important journey you'll ever take.

As people search for inner peace amid increasingly hectic lives, the practice of yoga continues to gain popularity. Yoga means to yoke, or to bring together, the various aspects of the self — body, mind, and spirit — and while the physical and mental benefits of yoga are truly astounding, to many people the idea of yoga is intimidating. In fact, nothing could be easier than starting a yoga practice, and Yoga Zone Introduction to Yoga is the perfect guide.

In the first section, Yoga Master Alan Finger offers a brief history of the different types of yoga and how they are practiced in the West, including an explanation of the ISHTA yoga that Alan created and that is taught at Yoga Zone. You'll learn about the benefits of yoga and how to prepare for a practice with different breathing exercises. Next Alan outlines two series of beginner postures, accompanying each pose with detailed instructions on how to achieve it, along with tips and modifications for various fitness levels. All the exercises are fully illustrated and the text is instructional yet friendly, in the tradition of a Yoga Zone studio class. Following the postures, there's a special section on relaxation and meditation, cornerstones of any yoga practice. Packed with personality and full of valuable information, Yoga Zone Introduction to Yoga will introduce you to a life of unlimited possibilities and infinite joy.

Library Journal

These two titles address the benefits of practicing yoga. Finger's Yoga ZoneR Introduction to Yoga takes a broader approach. Creator of the ISHTA yoga taught at his New York City-based Yoga ZoneR studios, Finger explains his program and offers a brief history of different types of yoga. Outlines of two series of beginners' programs are well illustrated with photos of poses and accompanied by detailed instructions, tips, and variations. A section covers relaxation and meditation and breathing techniques. Healing Mudras has a much narrower focus. Mudras, in Buddhism and Hinduism, are symbolic gestures involving hands, fingers, and arms that are used in ceremonies and dance or seen in artwork. Mesko, a former dancer and certified yoga therapist, takes a mindful and introspective approach combining movement with chants in order to achieve specific self-affirming goals. All 52 mudras are demonstrated with photos of the author, along with instructions for breathing, eye movements, and mantras, which spoken aloud impart greater mental and physical energy and a healing quality. Experienced yoga students seeking to move beyond the basic postures or individuals with physical limitations will find this guide useful. Both titles are easy to follow and understand. However, since a number of introductory yoga books are already available, Finger's is an optional purchase. Because it concentrates on a very specific aspect of yoga practice, Mesko's guide is a preferred choice for a wellness collection or public library with a limited budget seeking to round out its yoga collection.--Deborah Anne Broocker, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Dunwoody Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\