Reviews
"Yoga: A Gem for Women is a classic Hatha Yoga textbook written by Geeta Iyengar, daughter of the well-known yoga master B. K. S. Iyengar. Besides the hundreds of standard Iyengar-style asanas, it includes special recommendations for menstrual disorders, menopause, pregnancy and lactation. It is wonderful to see Indian women, including a very pregnant one, demonstrating the postures."
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Yoga Journal
"Geeta Iyengar faced a great challenge at a young age and found the power within to survive and thrive through her practice of Hatha Yoga. She has since devoted her entire life to yoga, becoming one of the foremost teachers of the Iyengar method of yoga which was founded by her father, B.K.S. Iyengar."
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ascent magazine
"This is a wonderful book with specific reference to the main biological stages of a woman?s life and identifies which asanas (poses) should be practiced or avoided at those stages. I found this book during my pregnancy at a time when I was confused whether to continue with certain yoga poses. The book helped to clarify all my questions and has helped me continue with yoga confidently during pregnancy."
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Shelina Gorai
Excerpt
From Chapter 6: Is Yoga Ideal for Women?
Asanas and pranayama are a great help for the proper functioning of the brain, the nerves, and the spine. The brain is the seat of thinking, reasoning, memorising, perceiving, and directing. It is the controller of voluntary and involuntary movements in our body. The body and the brain are constantly interacting. In facing the turmoils of life, they are under continual stress; a tired brain affects the entire system. This constant strain creates anxiety and worry, leading to psychoneurosis, neurasthenia, hysteria, and a host of psychoneurotic diseases. Asanas such as Sirsasana, Sarvangasana, Halasana, and Setubandha Sarvangasana supply fresh blood to the brain and keep it alert, active and at the same in a restful state. Yoga thus has the unique quality of being able to soothe the nerves, quieten the brain, and make the mind quiet, fresh, and peaceful.
Yoga can be done by all at any age. It is particularly beneficial to those over 40 when the recuperative power of the body is declining and resistance to illness is weakened. Yoga generates energy and does not dissipate it. It makes one energetic and full of vitality. With minimum effort one obtains maximum benefits.
Yoga plays an additional role. It is not only preventive, but curative also. Unlike other systems, its aim is to develop symmetry, coordination, and endurance in the body. It activates the internal organs and makes them function harmoniously.
Yoga is a naturopathic process of treatment. The progress is slow but certain. None can deny the advances of modern medical science. Drugs and medicines can be of great help, but Yoga can complement them and speed up the process of recovery where medication is being used. Sometimes drugs and medicines have harmful side-effects and Yoga helps to counteract them. Yoga strengthens the body's natural defences to fight disease. In cases of chronic disease, the advance and the intensity can be checked by the practice of Yoga. Where a surgical operation has to be undergone, it is advisable to practise Yoga before the operation, as this relaxes the nerves and the inner organs and quietens the mind. Practice is again necessary after the operation to help the wound heal quickly and to regain strength. In case of accident when other forms of exercise are impossible, the door of Yoga is open.
Asanas are most helpful in eradicating fatigue, aches, and pains. They not only make the unhealthy healthy, but help the healthy to remain healthy.
Yoga has a special gift to offer to athletes and sports-women. The asanas can help correct the faulty movement of muscles which cause strains and sprains. They create freedom from pressures and tensions and give speed, elasticity, strength, endurance, and coordination to the entire system. When sportsmen and sports-women suffer from exhaustion, they can easily recover their energy by practising asanas. Asanas also increase their range of movement.
Thus the art of Yoga is unique in nature. It has everything to give according to one's need. It is especially well designed for women, who with their family responsibilities should welcome the opportunity of being able to perform these wonderful Yogic exercises in the privacy and comfort of their own home.
The practice of Yoga has a tremendous effect on character and makes one morally and mentally strong. The approach to life becomes more positive and tolerant. Pride and egoism are eradicated and humbleness and humility set in. One becomes more thoughtful and discriminative and acquires intellectual clarity. This leads one towards a contemplative state.
© 2002 timeless
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