Many seniors are searching for ways to improve their quality of life and remain active as they enter midlife and later years. Nationwide, people are recognizing yoga for its ability to slow down and reverse the aging process. A complete health system, yoga not only restores vitality to the body, but also expands the mind and soul. Yoga transforms the years after 50 from a time of deterioration to one of increased perspective and illumination.

In The New Yoga for People Over 50, readers will learn how the health of the spine and posture affect every sustem of the body, and how yoga positions and breathing exercises benefit the circulatory system, the heart and other vital organs, relieve menopausal symptoms, and remove stiffness and inertia from the body. In this comprehensive guide, Iyengar yoga expert Suza Francina describes and illustrates how to begin and maintain a yoga program through personal stories and over 100 easy-to-follow instructional photos of older teachers and students.

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Francina's book and her work in general are truly a blessing. Bolstered by the knowledge The New Yoga for People Over 50 has given me I have begun "converting" my mother, who frequents the weight machines at the gym. She is a fit and vibrant 54-year old, but her hectic lifestyle, which includes a six-day work week (she owns a business) needs the addition of yoga to ensure her health and longevity.

This book is a wonderful, invaluable tool for everyone, regardless of age. I hope to catch up with Francina's octogenarian students within a few years! With Francina and her students as examples, I expect I will do just that - and anyone who reads this book will be motivated to set a similar goal: feel better and live longer with yoga!

60 of 64 found the following review helpful:

Beginers?Jun 09, 2000

I wish I had read the review "Yoga or Yada" before I purchased this book for my 74 year old mother. I feel the books set up is out of wack ( the bleep on breathing is in the back of the book ), and the pictures are very intimidating. I thought this book would be a little more for beginners, like the title suggests, with easy yoga poses and more detail on breathing. Instead I read and saw expert Yoga students and teachers showing off their limberness and writing of the author's greatness and their own. I would return this book to Amazon but by the time I paid for the postage it would be a waste. The Yoga book I bought for myself (The Little Yoga Book) I feel is much more appropriate for all beginners regardless of age.

29 of 30 found the following review helpful:

Response to Previous ReviewMar 23, 2006
By Carin A. Seebold
After recently reading Amazon review by "More hype than hope", I would like to counter her negative opinion with a few positive thoughts on "The New Yoga for People Over 50" by Suza Francina.

I first read this book (and subsequently reviewed it) in 1999. My enthusiasm has not waned. This, to me, was and is the most common sense yoga book I have ever read.

Its purpose is to inform the reader about various issues affecting those over 50 and the ways yoga can help. It is a serious and helpful resource for older students and teachers who instruct seniors. The "success stories" (term used by reviewer) are meant to inspire and encourage and do not include any specifically by the author (to glorify herself as suggested by the reviewer).

Yoga classes are not "elitist" (term used by reviewer). They are commonplace in many locations and range from YMCA, gyms, senior centers, etc. Additionally, many yoga studios offer instruction for all ages and levels of ability, from beginner to advanced.

I still feel this book is an inspiration to learn and practice yoga. The models are real people, over 50, which in itself is an incentive. While some are longtime practitioners and famous teachers (like BKS Iyengar who wrote the foreward), many began yoga while in their 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. Perhaps someday "More hype" will meet Ms. Francina in person. She is an empowering teacher as well as a talented author.

32 of 34 found the following review helpful:

Excellent reference book; buy an extra to share with friendsJul 12, 1999
By Carin A. Seebold
This book has made a difference in my life! I have read several yoga books, but "The New Yoga for People Over 50" by Suza Francina spoke to my special needs. If you are seeking answers for questions relating to menopause, osteoporosis, healthy heart, etc., seek no more. This book provides answers. Her chapter on feet and knees is extremely helpful, providing the groundwork for specific needs. I keep this book handy as an excellent reference manual, both for myself and my friends. Additionally, this book is an inspiration to learn and practice yoga. The models are real and most are definitely over 50 years old. This in itself is an incentive. When you see people in their 70's and 80's, you are encouraged that you, too, can do yoga well into your "golden" years. After reading her book, I was excited to learn that I am close enough to Ojai (an hour's drive but well worth it) to take classes by Suza. She is an empowering teacher as well as a talented author. If you cannot attend a class, "The New Yoga for People Over 50" will more than suffice. Buy more than one; you'll want to share with a friend. Enjoy!

33 of 36 found the following review helpful:

What an encouraging book for older adults!Aug 30, 1999
By rerikkers@aol.com
After more than 30 years of teaching therapeutic exercise and Yoga for older adults, and having written a book for instructors (Seniors On The Move, published by Human Kinetics), I truly appreciate Suza's book, the New Yoga for People over 50. Both for students and for instructors, it's one of the most helpful and realistic guides for older adults I have seen in all these years. It addresses so many basic and critical issues related to aging and gives a very hopeful picture: the choice of REgeneration over DEgeneration, no matter what the age or present physical condition. I know how much work it is to write a book, how much sitting it requires, and respect and congratulate Suza for writing it! Even though no book can replace a good class, this book serves as a great inspiration and offers so much insight and education. Renate Rikkers, Exercise & Yoga Therapist. Author, Seniors On The Move

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