The Joy of Yoga: Fifty Sequences for Your Home and Studio Practice

by Emma Silverman, Kerri Frail (Illustrator)

Millions of people take time out of their busy schedules every day to attend yoga classes where they learn postures and breathing techniques that make them feel more energized and balanced. Thousands of other people, however, have yet to find the time in their day to do anything but work, study, or chase after their children. In The Joy of Yoga , author and expert Emma Silverman teaches readers how to take advantage of the health benefits yoga offers even when they can't make it to regularly scheduled classes.

The Joy of Yoga offers short sequences that readers can perform while seated on airplanes, standing at the bus stop, or even waiting for water to boil. In addition, it also includes sequences to help with daily aches, pains, and annoyances, such as tired feet, sensitive wrists, neck and shoulder tension, lower back pain, anxiety, and even heartbreak. Gardeners, cyclists, and runners will also find exercises that will help ease the tension in their muscles after long hours of work or play.

The Joy of Yoga will

Provide step-by-step instructions on asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques) for fifty sequences
Includes the benefits of each sequence and helpful information about modifications for poses
Encourage readers to create sequences on their own, using the sequences in the book as starting points

Genres: Nonfiction, Fitness, Health

208 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5, 2014

About the author

Emma Silverman is the author and founder of the blog The Joy of Yoga. Her yoga journey began with dedicated Iyengar study and, after more than fifteen years of practice, she has also studied Bikram, Ashtanga, Kundalini, and Vinyasa Flow. After working at the Kripalu Institute for Yoga and Health (North America's largest yoga retreat center), she is currently a yoga and meditation instructor, with thousands of students worldwide. Her first book, THE JOY OF YOGA was published by Skyhorse Publishing in August 5, 2014 and translated into Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese. She resides in Montreal, Quebec.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for yoga enthusiasts who can't always make it to the yoga studio or who just want to extend their practice to the home.

Emma Silverman provides yoga sequences for all sorts of events and situations from tired feet and stomach aches to leg strengtheners and tushy toners. There are shorter sequences of just 7 poses for when you are short on time to longer sequences of more than 20 poses for a more thorough work-out. Some of them are simpler and some more complex, but even though I consider myself a novice at yoga, I was able to get through most of the poses.

Also included before each of the sets are short messages from Silverman that are interesting, informative, and/or inspiring.

The book doesn't have photos, but instead there are cute drawings of each of the poses

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a lucky winner of this book from the goodreads giveaway. I find the book helpful because it gives you different yoga poses to do when you are traveling, working around the house, or for anything else you might find yourself in throughout the day. I like to know that I can be at work or school and there are different ways to relieve back pain or even butt pain from sitting all day. I also like the pictures of the poses in the book to give you an idea of what you are suppose to be doing. At the same time some of the pictures are a bit confusing and I had a harder time figuring them out but it was for two or three poses. So if you are more knowledgeable in the world of yoga you probably won't have that problem.

[Hildegart · Rating 3 out of 5]

First reads book.

I like how the book gives yoga sequences for different activities. With some, the illustrations aren't quite clear enough to understand exactly how to do the pose. This could have been fixed if there were descriptions for the poses. Personally, some of the poses are difficult for me due to my extra curves and less than perfect flexibility. And, I'm a beginner at yoga and don't know if I am supposed to go from one pose directly into the next or not- I mention this because with some, I'm not sure how you transition into the next position. I've also been skipping through the book so this last little bit might be explained and I just haven't read it.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved about this book was the array of sequences for your practice. No matter how I am feeling I can find something that fits exactly what I need. Perfect for the novice and the experienced, the author writes as if she is your friend giving practical, loving guidance. Additionally, the pictures are so cute and demonstrate the postures beautifully. Many yoga books are not user-friendly and I appreciate the effort made in the Joy of Yoga to steer the yogi on the path to a simple yet gratifying practice.

[Taniesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book, simple and concise. Easy to follow the sequences by looking at the pictures and there are a variety of sequences for various "reasons" one would want to practice yoga on a given day. Everything from a long day at work to practicing gratitude. Good resource tool.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of simple sequences for yoga teaching or personal practice.

[IlaRed · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of yoga sequences ever. Strongly recommended to any level.

[Dominique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the flows and sequences, but I think I need to get my hands on a hard copy to get the full benefit and to refer back to.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

This book is a great instructional book for the beginner or the experienced. I really like how there are different sequences to do at home, work, or anywhere! The simple drawings of the poses are adorable and make it easy to see the pose.

Would recommend it to anyone who is into or wants to get into yoga. :)

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Ik doe af en toe yoga, dus ik was wel geinteresseerd in dit boek. En het bleek ook een leuk boek te zijn. Verschillende topics, verschillende oefeningen, soms 1 pagina, soms 3 pagina's. Het was niet altijd makkelijk te zien wat je nou moest doen, dus dat is jammer, maar verder was het een goed boek.