Yoga for Everyone: 50 Poses For Every Type of Body

by Dianne Bondy

Yoga can benefit every body, including yours! Discover how to take advantage of all yoga has to offer with this all-encompassing yoga guide. 

No matter who you are or what your abilities are, Yoga for Everyone includes a fabulous 50 poses proving something for everyone to love. From plus size yoga and pregnancy yoga, to yoga for the elderly or disabled, you can explore variations and modifications to much-loved yoga poses, from the comfort of your own home. Every exercise utilizes the essential elements of yoga to ensure you can gain all the physical and mental benefits, and will also allow you to perform all 10 sequences, which combine different poses into one singular experience and focus on specific health benefits each pose has on your body. 

Dive straight in to  

- A visually illustrated yoga guide showcasing diversity in people and their mixed fitness abilities 
- 50 yoga exercises with a minimum of 3 modifications for varying body types 
- 10 sequences that combine the above-mentioned exercise
- Expert information in Yoga and how to incorporate these exercises into everyday life

For years, books on yoga have asked readers to bend over backward (literally!) to conform to their physical demands. At DK, we believe it’s time to change that! Why not allow for readers to demand that yoga conform to their individual needs instead? This is yoga for real people!

Once you familiarise yourself with the yoga exercises that best suit you and your abilities, you’ll begin to notice the benefits of yoga and positive changes they have on your body, whether it’s your enhanced flexibility, your improved posture or your stronger core. What a rewarding experience for readers!

Yoga for Everyone aims to teach readers that with a little modification, anyone can practice Yoga, perfect their poses and become stronger and more confident as you go. Whether you want to structure your sun salutation or demand more from your downward dog, this all-encompassing yoga book will be your one-stop guide to achieving perfection with each pose no matter your physical ability, and learn some top tips on yoga anatomy and yoga science along the way. 

A must-have volume for those who want to take up yoga but don’t know where to begin, or simply those seeking to start a low-impact exercise, Yoga for Everyone can be tailored to your individual fitness needs, so you make the most out of your poses! Why not stretch yourself, literally, this New Year and try something new? Your mind, body and soul will thank you!

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, Fitness, Adult, Meditation, Collections

256 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2019

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author makes yoga an egalitarian pursuit open to all takers in this colorful guide. Photos feature the young, old, thin, curvy, pregnant, and differently abled making the ancient practice their own, with poses shown to fit their particular needs. A wonderful addition to the yogic canon, one I look forward to using to strengthen my aching back. 5/5

Pub Date 02 Apr 2019.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#YogaForEveryone #NetGalley

[Gail C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book for anyone who has ever wanted to try yoga but hasn’t because they thought they were too fat, too old, too pregnant, too stiff, too flawed in any way. Filled with detailed instructions and clear, crisp pictures, the book offers anyone variations to accomodate any number of barriers to performing a pose in the traditional manner. From sitting on a chair if the floor won’t work for a variety of reasons to using a prop such as a book, a pillow or a therapy ball to assist in supporting the body in the position, this book covers a variety of methods to accommodate a wide range of limitations.
It is also convenient for anyone who wants to try yoga in the privacy of their own home instead of attempting it in a class. The instructions are clear and precise, advising the new entrant as to how to move through the necessary positions to achieve the pose in it’s classic form. If that isn’t possible, then the explanation veers off toward variations so the reader can choose what works best for them or even use the information as a guide to tailor it to their specific needs.
YOGA FOR EVERYONE by Diane Bondy takes yoga out of the realm of the practiced individual and makes it accessible to anyone with an interest regardless of age, physical condition, or level of knowledge. I highly recommend it to anyone who is considering trying a few yoga poses on their own. My thanks to NetGalley and DK publishers for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Dianne Bondy uses models to demo fifty well-known yoga poses. But she goes farther and offers modifications of each pose to allow for individualization of yoga as needed by different body types and by different ages of yoga practitioners.

This is an excellent book. I am eager to share it with others who love yoga as I do.

[Mary Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so amazing!

Yoga for everyone and every body type. Seriously!
So many variations and well-photographed pictures that show you exactly what to do.

I always felt bad when trying yoga (numerous times), because I could never achieve the poses showed by the instructors. Yes, they said I could modify it because I am a newbie, but I didn't know how to go about the modifications.

And this is the main reason why I think this book is so amazing. It fills a gap that needed attention. It helps those of us that are not "fit" just yet.

Besides all the modifications, seeing all those different body types is so helpful and encouraging, empowering even. It literally goes beyond telling yoga is for everybody, to actually showing you that yoga can be learned and perform by anyone.

I read this book as someone that wants to learn to do yoga, but I can see this can also help yoga teachers to show their students how to go about adopting yoga poses and practices as beginners with less strength as flexible as a teacher that is probably practicing yoga for years and might not quite remember how it is intimidating for a newbie to see all those poses and balancing performed by a professional.

Yoga for everyone also shows you that the people in the book are not just models posing for the photographs. They are real people practicing yoga. Some even instructors themselves.

This book is truly a valuable resource for anyone trying to learn yoga.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Thank you to NetGalley and DK for a free e-copy of Yoga for Everyone: 50 Poses for Every Type of Body in exchange for an honest review.**

Yoga for Everyone is such an incredible guide for anyone wanting to try yoga. Author Dianne Bondy shows, with beautiful full-page pictures and clear instructions, how everyone can get into 50 yoga poses. She shows multiple variations of each pose to accommodate every body type regardless of age, size or disability. This really breaks the image that yoga is only for young, fit, flexible people. I highly recommend Yoga for Everyone!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Dianne Bonus’s online videos; this book goes very well with her videos. I’m looking forward to using this in my practice.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book that I borrowed from my local public library!

I've seen books like this before that "promise" that they're great for everyone, but this one really is! Author, Dianne Bondy uses herself and seven other "models" of all shapes, sizes, ages, and capabilities - There are men and women; a double amputee, a woman who is pregnant, a woman with Cerebral Palsey, one gentleman who is a cancer survivor and another who survived a motorcycle accident - Each and every one of these people has a story to share in this book.

At the start of the book is information on Yoga Basics, including an annotated list of What You Need to Practice Yoga and a guide for How to Use This Book (it's not difficult).

For each pose, there are step-by-step instructions for performing yoga poses, including color photographs illustrating the movement. On the next couple of pages, are Variations, which show instructions for making modifications.

Towards the end of the book is a chapter on Sequences - These are designed to get the reader started and keep on on the mat. Sequence topics include: Morning Practice, Sun Salutation, Easing Back Pain, Improving Flexibility, Building Strength, Relieving Stress, and more!

I might eventually have to purchase a copy of this for myself - It really is that well done!

Fabulous!

[Amanda Hupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a common misconception when it comes to yoga. There is the automatic stereotype that yoga is mainly for thin, young men and women, who are extremely flexible. I can tell you as a yoga practitioner that I do not fit into that stereotype. That is why I loved this book, Yoga For Everyone by Dianne Bondy.

The book makes the statement right off the bat that yoga can impact everyone. It can help those with any body type, the elderly, pregnant and disabled. The book then goes through 50 yoga poses that everyone can do along with variations for each pose. The author is a yoga instructor and knows the details of each pose and how to practice safely!


I love yoga. I am not the most flexible nor am I the thinnest. Yoga is most definitely for everyone. That being said, yoga can be difficult but is not meant to make you feel that you will never accomplish the poses. The great thing about yoga is that it is not a competition and the way to gain the best benefits from yoga is to know your journey and know your limits. Never give up on yoga. If someone would have told me how far I would be since my first yoga class, I would not believe them. I see and feel the benefits of a daily yoga practice. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Alpha Books for a copy of this book!

[Katarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of the eARC in return for an honest review*
I am a yoga practitioner of several years. I loved the positive messaging in this book that yoga is for everyone. It is a great overall teaching book for many yoga poses. For me the most useful part was the pages showing variations for different poses. I learned about new variations that I had not seen in yoga class and that I will use in my practice.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best yoga books out there. With a variety of poses and routines in the back for just about everything, it was a great read and excersize book. Plus, all the "models" aren't supermodels or professional yoga instructors, but real people just trying to get and stay healthier. That's refreshing.

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for yoga teachers looking for inspiration when building out a sequence for all levels, as well as yoga practitioners looking to build out their home practice. The book is comprised of photographs that fill up the whole page so there's not so much reading to do. The emphasis is on the different ways we can be in a pose as well as on spotlighting a diverse range of yoga practitioners - yay!

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only issue with this fabulous book is I wish they would have put photos of the models on the cover to really show that it's designed for every type of body. I almost bypassed this book because it looked like such a standard yoga book, which it certainly is not.

The author (a plus sized woman of color and experienced yogi) guides readers through 50 classic yoga poses, each photographed step-by-step to show you how to do it with different models. The models include folks who are new to yoga and have been doing it for over 50 years and include middle aged and elderly folks, a double amputee, a woman with Cystic Fibrosis, a pregnant woman, and more.

For each pose, there are at least 2 variations (often 4) for folks who can't do the pose in the standard way.

At the end of the book are 10 sequences for different purposes (start the day, easing back pain, relieving stress, before bed, strengthening core, building strength, etc.).

My husband is disabled because of septic polyarthritis that he developed at age 2. He has an artificial hip and knee, has had his shoulder fully repaired, has had multiple other surgeries on his leg and foot, and has calcified ankle and elbow joints that completely immobilize those parts of his body. He's also nearly 60 and heavyset. Despite this, he goes to the gym every single day (even Christmas!) and very gingerly works out to try to build his strength and get healthier. He has always been interested in yoga but we both thought that almost every pose would be impossible for him. I'm looking forward to showing him this book and seeing if we can now practice yoga together. I'd also like to involve my kids, who have always liked to do yoga with me.

I'm very impressed with this book. I love the upbeat, empowering tone of it along with the helpful layout and simple instructions. Highly recommended.

I read a digital temporary ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the layout of this book and how the pose is shown first and then several variations that can be used, if needed to modify each pose. It was also really refreshing to see non-stereotypical models in this book, and it really helped prove the point that yoga is for everyone! I will for sure be ordering a physical copy to have on hand to help me re-start my yoga fitness journey!

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very special yoga book that sends the message that yoga is truly for everyone. The various modifications for each pose are excellent! If you’ve been away from yoga for awhile (for whatever reason) or have never tried yoga, you will be inspired by this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

[Book Gannet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful yoga book in terms of visibility and access for those who don't fit the Perfect Yoga Body, as often seen on Instagram and the like. If you want to try yoga but are afraid you're not flexible enough, don't look right, have too many curves or perhaps have limited lower body movement and strength, then this book is for you.

All the models included are people who don't fit the Western yoga mould -- male and female, all races, all ages, including disabilities as well as fuller figures. This book doesn't judge, it doesn't tell you that you can't, it not only shows you that all people can access yoga, it shows you how YOU can access yoga.

However, if you've never been to a yoga class before, this book is not the place to start. It might inspire you to try and give you lots of alternative options to poses others might take for granted, but the alignment cues are pretty minimal and if you're new and don't know what you're doing, you might hurt yourself. Think of this more as an inspiring addition to your yoga classes or existing practice. It is not the book to build your brand new practice around.

It is also largely lower body focused. If, like me, you have troubles with your wrists and upper body, this book won't help much. Carpal tunnel is briefly mentioned once (towards the end) and there are no forearm alternatives for Plank and Low Plank/Chaturanga Dandasana, which are the most common suggestions.

I was also concerned at the inclusion of some poses. Not so much Handstand, because I think most people can be trusted to know their own ability and not try that, or Crow which is poorly described and likewise might seem too scary, but Headstand and Shoulderstand both seem more accessible and are also far more likely to cause harm, especially to the neck.

I felt the whole Shoulderstand section was pretty poor actually. There are no warnings for people who really shouldn't try this pose (high blood pressure in particular) and although the models are all using blankets to help take the strain off their necks, the book doesn't bother explaining why they are doing this or how you could try this yourself. The use of a chair seemed particularly dangerous and I really don't think it should have been in the book at all.

I also don't think having a pregnant model added anything. Especially as there is nothing in the text about specific pregnancy-related yoga issues, like avoiding deep twists and taking care with breathing exercises. Prenatal yoga classes and books are widely available, so pregnant yogis are hardly left out when it comes to visibility. It just felt really out of place here.

So it's not perfect and should definitely be approached with caution. I'm not a yoga teacher, but I have been lucky enough to find good teachers (including some online ones like Adriene and Lesley Fightmaster) who take time to explain alignment and offer viable alternatives for all abilities. I love what this book is aiming for and I still think it has a lot of value in terms of visibility and inspiring all people to take up yoga, I'm just not wholly convinced about some of the content. Get it for the pictures, but look elsewhere to begin your practice.

(Review copy provided by the publisher.)

[Manuela - Fathoms Amidst The Lines · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can be ridiculously intimidating trying something new, especially when that something is all over the place and you don’t fit the physical image that is typically associated with it. Yoga is one of those things that everyone can do, but when you fall outside of the physical image typically associated with it, it can be terrifying and make you feel like you can’t do it and that you don’t belong. This book takes away that fear by being a complete introduction to yoga and giving new practitioners varying ways to do a yoga pose so that they can customize it to fit their body. It goes through 50 classic poses, with each pose having one to three variations that are photographed step-by-step with the varying models. These variations make it easy for you to find the way that best suits your body and ability.

The book is broken into four chapters: Yoga Basics, Standing, Balancing, and Reclining, Twisting, Folding, and Bending, and Sequences. Within each section, there are inspirational stories staring the author Dianne Bondy (a plus-size woman of color) and models of the book that are heartfelt and sincere. The author and models are of varying sizes, genders, and abilities, with one of the women being pregnant and one of the men a double leg amputee.

The last chapter of the book is my favorites as it focuses on multiple sequences you can practice including a morning practice, sun salutation, bedtime practice, and easing back pain. Each of the sequences lists what poses are in that sequence and what page each pose can be found on.

As someone who has never taken a yoga class in my life and genuinely used to consider it nothing more than expensive, fancy stretching, this book is one that I am glad to have read. It’s informational, inspiring, easy to follow, spectacularly put together – the photography is superb and it has a very light and energetic feel to it, and it has me wanting to pull out my several years old and only used a few times yoga mat and start practicing. I’m sure that the information in this book could be learned in any beginner yoga class, but for those out there like me that just would not be comfortable in that situation, this is a fantastic start to not only learn the basics and how you can tailor them to your body and ability, but also to help build up that confidence and courage that may one day see you walk into a yoga studio for a class.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this free eBook copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how many times I have had clients come to me and ask if there is a different way to do a yoga pose, that actually they can do. Dianne Bondy has written a wonderful book, that will reach the needs of many yoga enthusiasts. I think for most people just trying yoga for the first time, it can be a bit intimidating. I have had several conversations with people about the difficulty they experience when coming to a yoga class, they think they cannot possibly do it and should quite. “Yoga for Everyone”, will save a lot of people from missing out on the life changing experience you get from Yoga, by enabling anyone to do it.

I enjoyed the way the author displayed the original yoga pose, then on the next page, gave several variations depending on your body makeup, of poses that are unique to your individual needs. She covers all the basics of yoga, with 50 poses in this well written book, as well as sequences in the back you can include in your daily routine. Each is labeled to a particular personnel need you might have. The pictures instruct the reader with such clarity, that this is a great book for an at home yoga self-taught experience.

I have been teaching yoga for 10 years now, and will be recommending “Yoga for Everyone” by Dianne Bondy to my clients, to reaffirm that they CAN do yoga.
#YogaForEveryone #NetGalley

[Chels Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book looked very crude and not that great for some who practice yoga regularly. But that quickly passes when one realizes the great variations provided.

The variations are the stars. The books takes you visually through the “normal” pose. Then ads 2-4 variations in picture formate too. Giving just as much dedications to them as the “normal” poses. Which does add to anyone’s practices.

It’s also an amazing book for what diversity and representation does to what should be an accepting practice and or work out. The stories are also wonderful.

I started this book just annoyed it was a “real” yoga book, but ended it with so many interesting ideas or variations. And a more companionate way to do my practice. I have issues with chatarunga and now I have 3 new way I can do it. Instead of just not bothering to attempt it.

The book is beginner level for any home practice it will be a good resource or start. And it’s good for profs that may not know how to make or that their class can be more accessible or nervous about older, disabled, pregnant or fatter clients. For everyone in between it’s great for variations, but so is google.

[Suzi Fevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yoga for everyone is the book that the yoga world has needed. Not only does it offer modifications for typical yoga poses but it addresses different body shapes and issues including those who are in a wheelchair, who are possibly not fully mobile, who might have injuries or other pre-existing conditions making them feel like yoga is something they can never participate in. This book shows that this is not the case.

I feel fortunate that my yoga training provided us with most of these pose variations and options so that I was already familiar with most of the content in the book, but I don't think all yoga schools offer as many variations as mine does.

If you are a yoga instructor or someone interested in learning yoga this book is worth checking out. You may find some new poses that will help you bring yoga to more people, or you may discover that you are able to do yoga after all!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in order to facilitate a review, but all opinions are entirely my own.

[Dixie Keyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This can be an important resource for both practitioners and teachers. Bondy is a long-time advocate for body positivity and accessible yoga, and this book is about both. With full color photos throughout and spotlights of the yoga models in the book, this is both an enjoyable read and a practical guidebook for modified yoga poses. These modification ideas can benefit any body, from a pregnant practitioner to heavyset physiques. The book begins with important advice about beginning a yoga practice and what yoga really is. The 50 poses with modifications makes up the middle of the book, and the ending portion provides some well-categorized practices to help teachers or to get anyone going in a home practice. Bravo to Dianne Bondy for authoring such a helpful, well-organized book! Glad to have it in my library!

[Irida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank the publisher, Dorling Kingsley and netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely love this book!! This book truly demonstrates that yoga is for everyone, The book illustrates 50 yoga poses and shows adjustments that can be made to accommodate people with different body types or physical challenges or age categories.

It is very refreshing that the illustrative poses are done with models that have different body types and not just what society considers the "Perfect Body" as is marketed by most yoga publications.

I will place my order for my own physical copy. as this is a great reference book to have as a practitioner of yoga!

[Jessica Florian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was a good book for anyone starting a yoga practice. I was hoping to find variations and cues that would be useful in teaching classes, but there weren’t many of those. I thought some of her cues were outdated (like cueing shoulder blades down and back while raising the arms overhead), and some of the cues just seemed pointless, like cueing to line up body parts in various poses when that might not work with everyone’s anatomy. There were some interesting variations included, though. I look forward to trying out the yoga sequences at the end of the book.

[Dara Tinius · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC/Netgalley

I love following Dianne Bondy on social media and her philosophy of making yoga accessible to everyone. I have a hard time following yoga routines in book format instead of video but I am still very happy this book exists. If nothing else I think it's a great entry point for people who may be too afraid to go to a studio or don't use YouTube. Despite what the wider yoga industry seems to promote yoga was not created by and for thin, blonde people!

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yoga really is for everyone!! I immensely enjoyed this read. Yoga For Everyone showcases 50 yoga poses modeled by individuals of all backgrounds, ages, body types, and physical abilities. Its the perfect resource if you are just starting out or if you have been practicing for years. Its incredibly informative and offers modifications for even the most challenging of poses. This will definitely be a resource which I return to!

[Tina Izguerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Dianne Bondy, for writing an awesome book that is relatable to EVERYONE! "Yoga for Everyone" is a slam dunk for this genre which has a sea of books filled with images of models that are hard to relate to. Bondy breaks down all of the basic yoga poses with wonderful detail and utilizes the average person to model the moves themselves. The photographs are beautiful and content is spot on. Everyone can take this book and easily follow a yoga routine without a second thought.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. It was inspiring in so many ways. Loved the pictures of diverse models for the poses, loved the modifications for poses. I'd been having some issues with my own yoga practice, and reading this book affirmed that yoga can be for the not-so-young, not-so-skinny, not-totally-physically capable. While it didn't address my particular shoulder issue, it did allow for ideas on how to manage. It's yoga for the real world. Beautiful book.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Great introduction to yoga; would be good for a beginner who has some background in yoga (not a total newbie). I really like all the included variations and the inclusivity and general vibe of this book. The reason it's not a 5 is because I am aware of so many other variations to some of these poses that aren't included, as well as some other beginner poses not included, so it's not as strong as it could be. But overall an amazing resource!

[Ifrinna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Simple, beautifully laid out and informative. It was amazing to read all of the models' personal stories and relationships to yoga. The modifications for all the poses were well done and easy to follow. Highly recommended for a new yogi or someone with injuries or any capability.

[Birgit Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have practiced yoga on and off for 46 years and have learned to adjust asanas to my changing body. However, I wish I had this book to guide and support me through the decades. Dianne Bondy truly understands how to adjust asanas for every BODY as well as include EVERYBODY. Well done you, Dianne Honey!

[Dalet D Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

I loved this book. I have been practicing yoga for almost 10 years and teaching for 5. Recently, I was given the opportunity to teach seniors with multiple mobility difficulties and this book has expanded my alternatives for multiple poses. Every teacher should have a copy and apply many of the alternative poses even in “regular” classes.