Product Description This is the first comprehensive guide for yoga teachers and yoga students providing all the details on how to adjust or assist someone while they are performing a yoga posture. With yoga's recent worldwide popularity, this book is invaluable to millions who teach or practice yoga. The book goes beyond just the physical aspects of yoga - it deals honestly with some touchy matters that affect yoga teachers and students alike. The book's clear instructions and generous supply of photos make it easy for yoga teachers to learn how to adjust or assist their students. Yoga students can use this book to enhance their personal practice by working with a partner. Yoga Posture Adjustments and Assisting: An Insightful Guide for Yoga Teachers and Students demonstrates and explains adjusting techniques for over 65 postures and contains over 200 photos. You can learn:
•How to adjust or assist someone who is performing a yoga posture •How to perform the yoga adjustments using effective body mechanics and leverage •Multiple variations for adjusting a posture •How to use yoga props •Verbal cues to help your yoga student or partner •Ways to accommodate different body types •How to safely take your students deeper into the yoga postures
The book also features a thought provoking section on how to navigate the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of being a yoga teacher or yoga student. It candidly discusses topics such as:
•Dealing with difficult emotions before, during, or after class •Coping with thoughts that can surface during yoga class or home practice •Managing expectations and judgments about ourselves, our teachers, and our students •Dealing with unusual situations in the classroom •Handling competitiveness, jealousy, nervousness
The international yoga community will greatly benefit from this book.
Refreshing ApproachMay 8, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Stephanie Pappas present a refreshing approach to teaching postural Yoga. Stephanie offers excellent verbal cues that are easy to understand and well thought out. Some of Stephanie's recommendations for adjustments may not be appropriate for all teachers and students but her suggestions certainly have a place in Yoga classes and should be considered by all postural Yoga teachers.
"Yoga Postures, Adjustments and Assisting" is a user-friendly book that covers many postural issues that I encountered during my years of teachings asana classes. It also includes an extensive section of commonly asked questions with intelligent and thoughtful responses that are sure to assist teachers of every level. I believe that postural Yoga teachers and students will find Stephanie's well-written and beautifully photographed book a welcome addition to their library.
Brenda Feuerstein co-author of "Green Yoga" and "Green Dharma"
Yoga Posture Adjustments and Assisting: An Insightful Guide for Yoga Teachers and Students (Paperback)April 10, 2008 I have found Stefani's book delightful and playful, all while being practical and helpful. In a world where human touch can too often be forgotten Stefani reminds me to open to the possibilities of not being afraid to help ohters with basic human touch. I am grateful for the expert advice. Her techniques have led me to discover other ways to assist myself or my students while fostering an explorative approach to postures.
WOW! A Truly Inspiring and Insightful Book!April 9, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love this book! Stefani's "Yoga Posture Adjustments and Assisting" presents a unique approach to teaching and practicing yoga. It is well written with clear instructions for successful adjustments and lots of great photographs. The verbal cues and prop suggestions are invaluable and offer a comfortable and compassionate way to approach students of all levels. Using Stefani's adjustments offers an opportunity to connect on a deeper level with students. Most students view the adjustments as a wonderful experience that also helps them to improve their ability to move into a pose. This book should be a part of every yoga teacher's library.
Awesome! Easy to follow! A must read for all Yoga Teachers and Students!April 8, 2008 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
A must read for any Yoga Teacher or Student! As a yoga teacher I find this book to be of great value due to its comprehensive style of writing, easy to execute adjustment/assisting techniques and clear, and precise illustrations. Not only is this book a resource for any yoga teacher but also for any yoga student. There are descriptions in the book that can lead a student into a more gratifying experience simply by applying some of the alignment cues, for instance, while standing in Mountain pose, Stephanie states "spread your toes", "firm the lower abs and bring your navel toward the spine", "drop your tailbone and let your shoulders relax." The author also provides suggestions on how to deepen the students experience and keep an eye out for misalignment by using props, blankets, straps and blocks. What I find extremely beneficial is the creative language and array of adjustment choices Stephanie provides for balancing and twist postures and forward folds. For example, the author uses the "standing squat" or "horse stance" when assisting a student in a standing posture such as half moon 2 or warrior 3 pose. I especially love the ever so clever "opening a jar" technique for twisting postures. Stephanie Pappas shows teachers how to apply your own body mechanics in a safe and informed way that feels good to the students. There are many more examples in the book, but those were a few of the many techniques I really enjoy doing on my students and my students enjoy receiving.
A natural, instinctive approach to deepen the experience of yogaApril 7, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have had the opportunity to study with Stephanie and attend her Yoga Posture Adjustment workshops, she is an inspiring guide with the highest standards of integrity and safety. I have gone time and time again to her book in order to deepen the experience of yoga poses for my clients. Her method of adjustment with practice becomes a natural, instinctive tool. The book provides simple visual presentation of poses with detailed instructions for assisting. It takes it a step further by providing prop suggestions and verbal cues. I highly recommend this book to deepen your knowledge of the mechanics of asanas, and to develop the ability to correct and adjust the execution. I have received adjustments and given adjustments and both experiences have enhanced my yoga practice. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend one of Stephanie's workshops be sure to take advantage, you too will be inspired!
