Yoga for You
Rebecca Rissman
QED Publishing
Over the last decade children have become more and more pressurised with constant testing and increased curriculum demands in school, shorter breaks, hours of homework and more. It’s no surprise that many of them feel stressed, exhausted and completely unable to relax.
In my experience one of the very best ways to alleviate anxiety and stress is through yoga and happily, some schools are beginning to take this on board and offer yoga and, or, meditation as part of the curriculum. Not enough though; but here is a handy little book for children from around nine or ten, which can serve as an introduction to the practice.
In a straightforward manner, its author, herself a yoga teacher, explains all the basics that a beginner needs to know. There are sections outlining what yoga is and how it can benefit those who practise it as well as how to choose a class – this summarises some of the many different types of yoga.
There are two sequences: the first is a more active, energising one comprising 17 asanas; here are two of them …

the second is a calming sequence of 18 asanas or poses – two are shown below …

although as the author points out, the final savasana (or corpse pose) is used to end any yoga session and I would certainly endorse this.

Every pose is illustrated, but it’s important to remember what the author says indeed what any yoga teacher should tell you, ‘Never do a pose that causes you pain.’ It’s also wise to remember that a beginner trying a pose will not necessarily look just like that in the illustration right away: flexibility takes time to develop. The Sanskrit names are given for each one of the poses and there are also brief sections on breath control or pranayama as well as mindfulness and meditation. The final pages comprise a list of useful links and a glossary.
Written in an extremely user-friendly manner, this is an excellent starting point for youngsters contemplating taking up yoga.