Rating: 
Summary: Informative Nuggets Curiously "Organized"
Review: This book has almost a "stream of consciousness" presentation style. It is difficult to just dip into to get the information you want. However, it is rich in information about how to adapt postures for various body structural problems and has a good section on postures for various problems, including structural problems and as chronic diseases. Mikunda Stiles book "Structural Yoga Therapy" does not cover chronic diseases, but it does a better, more organized presentation of yoga for structual problems than this book does. I bought this book, and I'm glad to have it, but for me it will be a supplement to the Stiles book.
Rating:
Summary: Informative Nuggets Curiously "Organized"
Review: This book has almost a "stream of consciousness" presentation style. It is difficult to just dip into to get the information you want. However, it is rich in information about how to adapt postures for various body structural problems and has a good section on postures for various problems, including structural problems and as chronic diseases. Mikunda Stiles book "Structural Yoga Therapy" does not cover chronic diseases, but it does a better, more organized presentation of yoga for structual problems than this book does. I bought this book, and I'm glad to have it, but for me it will be a supplement to the Stiles book.
Rating: 
Summary: It's helping me develop a CONSISTENT practice!
Review: While OTHER how-to yoga publications or videos present an overwhelming (for me) amount of information in limited [beginner, intermediate, advanced]or unrealistic ways [20 poses in illogical sequences, with no indication of how they're affecting one's body], Kraftow here provides intelligent, logically organized and physically manageable information. He includes photos of most of the full sequences as well as what the poses look like when done inattentively [increasing the potential for injury]. Along with these, details on how to use each posture for individual comfort and maximum benefit are listed. I like the fact that the asanas are grouped by the major movement emphasized (forward bends, backward bends, twists, lateral bends), which provides a variety of options for daily/weekly practice; also, the sequences make sense and provide enough of a workout without exhausting the practitioner. I especially appreciate the inclusion of recommended sequences for particular ailments, both physical and psychological.I have two criticisms: the first is that the directive captions (inhale, exhale, # of reps, etc.) for the photos have been put in confusing locations and are not large enough to be viewed clearly during practice. I've gone through all the illustrations whiting out (corrective tape is most efficient)the existing captions, printing clearly the directions in the spots where they are most easily seen, and adding more arrows or lines of demarcation so that I have a visual aid to grouping the sequences as intended. It has been worth the effort! Second criticism: Kraftow urges the reader to use the book as a supplement to supervised practice, but of the yoga practitioners in my area, the ones I'm aware of teach Kripalu or Iyengar-style. I've sent one e-mail to Kraftow's address about this, but have not yet received a response.
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