Yoga for Inflexible People

by Max Lowenstein, Liz Lowenstein

Begin your yoga journey today with this guide to essential poses and techniques.

This beginners’ guide to yoga from internationally renowned AcroYoga instructors Max and Liz Lowenstein will help you get started on your journey no matter your age, body type, or experience. More than 40 essential poses are featured, each with beginner, intermediate, and advanced positions so that you can gradually increase your flexibility and balance. Also included is information about basic equipment, breathing techniques, and lifestyle tips to round out your yoga practice. You don’t need to be a world-class athlete to enjoy the benefits of yoga—all it takes is that first step (or stretch) and you’re on your way. 
 

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 10, 2020

Reviews

[Gabrielle (Reading Rampage) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I’m no spring chicken, because until September, I hadn’t realized that there was such a thing a social media yoga influencers… While I struggle a bit with that concept, and with the way yoga practice is often depicted on social media (I genuinely don’t understand how everyone always looks so fresh on those pictures: I am pretty sure I look like a disheveled, sweaty hippo when I do my practice…), some of those people post very instructive, helpful and motivating stuff!

One of the accounts I found most interesting is called @inflexibleyogis. Riding the success of their Instagram page, Max and Liz Lowenstein put together a print version of what their social media is so good at: breaking down yoga poses to make them accessible, easy and safe to practice for people who are just beginning a yoga practice, or are intimidated by yoga classes. I’m not really a newbie, but I love their page, and I was very happy to see they had collected their material in a book (because books > Instagram, duh!).

The layout is clean, beautiful and practical: divided by types of asanas (forward fold, backbends, etc.), the pictures illustrate the beginner, intermediary and advanced stages of each pose, with plenty of clear and helpful advice on how to get there. I really love that for each asana, they include three different difficulty levels, so that people practicing at home can make the adjustment they need to make it a bit easier or harder. There is also a series of warm-up and breathing exercises, which are a very important foundation for the rest of the practice.

I have a few books on asana practice, and I have to say this is one really is an excellent and approachable resource for beginners. I wish they had incorporated a few series of poses like they do on their Instagram account. Perhaps there will be a follow-up!

[Olwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's no shortage of instructional yoga books out there for you. What sets this book apart is the great structure and instructions for gradually progressing from novice to....hopefully someone a little more flexible.

Different chapters focus on major types of pose - for example, forward folds, core strengtheners, twists, etc. Then for each pose within that section there are instructions for approaching that pose as beginner, intermediate and advanced. Photographs, tips, and the overall purpose of the pose are also included.

Although you can't beat the value of attending a class, this book is still a useful instruction, and might also be useful to help you understand what the poses in class are all about.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this more than I expected. The Lowensteins clearly are good at the kind of yoga that makes for good Instagram content, but not necessarily a deep yoga experience. However, this book does have a wide variety of modifications to help you do poses, whatever your flexibility level, which I am 100% here for. I didn't always agree with their differences between beginner and intermediate versions of poses, but breaking all the poses down into 3 levels makes the book easy to follow. There's a nice variety of poses and I took a few new ideas from here, so it was a worthwhile experience.

[Claire Neilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased the physical copy of this book for home yoga practice. I like that it is split into sections such as forward folds, shoulders openers, hip and leg flexors, back bends, core strengtheners, arm balanced and inversions and twists.
The poses have variations for beginners to advanced. 4.5 stars as some useful poses are missing.
A great book though and I choose a pose from each section or just focus on one or two area's . This book is one of my "go to books" for home yoga practice.

[Georgiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The modifications are terrific. However, the book is spoiled by highly non-inclusive photography - all the models are young, skinny, white- and able-bodied passing, and most are female. Try Dianne Bondy's Yoga For Everyone for a truly inclusive approach.

[Katie Messenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the way this book lays out the yoga poses and tells you how to move your body for each one. Then it lists all the benefits of the poses. It's very helpful and informative.

[Cloay · Rating 3 out of 5]

- available in SG NLB 614.7046 (Sengkang

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very helpful book! I love that the progressions are broken down in a way that you can pace yourself and choose where you want to be. Great images and helpful tips too!

[Heleri Inno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Gave a nice overview of simpler yoga poses. A decent place to start.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 A book about the positions with good photography but no education or motivation for the actual yoga practice