Publisher: Rodmell Press
ISBN-10: 1-930485-16-6
ISBN-13: 978-930485-16-7
Author Info: (taken from the website)
Shoosh Lettick Crotzer has been teaching yoga since 1974 and now specializes in working with students with special needs. She has a masters degree in diagnostic education. In 1994, while teaching for the National MS Society, she founded the production and distribution company Mobility Limited and wrote and produced the video Yoga for MS. In 1997, she wrote and produced Yoga for Arthritis in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation. She has given workshops and made presentations on yoga and arthritis at international rheumatology conferences.
Format:
The book is divided into four parts with a foreword, a resources list, and an index. The first part is a general bit of information about fibromyalgia. The second part is a thorough description of the recommended yoga poses. The third part offers some guidelines and yoga sequences to practice for particular aims such as upper body pain relief or reducing fatigue. Additionally, she provides a beginners sequence and a more advanced sequence. In the fourth part, she offers some thoughts on sleep, nutrition, exercise, and psychological well-being.
Analysis:
“Move, breathe, and relax to improve your quality of life” is the tagline of the book. This is an accurate summary of the book’s goals. Those with fibromaylgia know that there is no cure and the author clearly states not to expect miracles in following her advice. The goal is a simple and gradual improvement in the quality of life you live.
The exercises and yoga poses the author recommends are simple to learn with or without an instructor. They involve easily managed stretches and many have both a seated and a standing position. Along with the poses, the author has thoughtfully provided some visualization and relaxation techniques to further enhance the efficacy of the exercises.
Much of the advice in the fourth part of the book is basic, common sense thinking. That said, the information can serve as a timely reminder of better practices and habits. Ultimately, of course, it comes down to the closing lines of the book. “Then it is up to you. Only you can make time to play, rest, and enjoy your life.”
Conclusion:
This is a well-put-together book that offers some simple basic exercises and ideas for improving the quality of your life as you deal with fibromyalgia. The different poses and stretches are explained in detail and often both seated and standing poses are illustrated. The author even offers useful suggestions for incorporating these exercises into your everyday life.
The book itself is written in plain English, no grandiose or exotic terminology to learn. The author does not patronize the reader; instead, she uses clear concise writing to fully explain her philosophy and instructions. Altogether, it was a pleasure to read, especially the visualization techniques. Just reading through them was a relaxing experience.
I cannot, as yet, speak to the success of following the recommended routines. Having fibromyalgia myself, it seems reasonable that there are benefits to the program as the author sets it out. Certainly, the sleep/nutrition advice is worth taking. Now, if only the book came with a dose of discipline to ensure one followed through on the techniques taught.
Links:
The book: Yoga for Fibromyalgia
Review written for: Mini Book Expo
2 comments:
Thanks for the review, Kat! I was one of the MBE reviewers who read the original post too late to claim the book, but I'm glad to read such a thoughtful review by someone else who has fibro. Your review has helped me decide that I'll try the book out.
Owl, thank you for reading and commenting. I wasn't sure how well I was doing with the actual reviews and your input is much appreciated.
I hope you find the book helpful.
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