I have been practicing beginner-level yoga for eight years, am familiar with most of the poses, and doing them as the "prevention variation." Since I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis I want to be more careful about possible fractures. This book shows modifications for each pose. It also has one of the better discussions that I've seen for the lay person about bone formation, health, and deterioration. The section on medications is outdated. ( )

This is a book to use* and not to just read. I was looking for a book that would tell me something about which poses would be safe and this mostly answers that need. The first part deals with osteoporosis, what it is and what the treatment options are and is quite informative and, I feel, valuable. The rest of the book gives the reader a routine of yoga poses appropriate to their current condition. The first variation of each pose is for osteoporosis, the second for osteopenia, and the third for prevention (for those who do not yet have a problem). There are detailed instructions and photos as well as contra-indications for each pose. The only failing I see so far is that the authors did not emphasize a mild warm-up routine as much as I would have liked.

Osteoporosis leads to painful fractures due to loss of bone mass; yoga strengthens bones without endangering joints: it stands to reason that yoga is the perfect therapy for osteoporosis. Forty-four million Americans suffer from low bone mass, and osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually. Drugs and surgeries can alleviate pain, but study after study has shown that exercise is the best treatment, specifically low-impact, bone-strengthening exercises hence, yoga. In this comprehensive and thoroughly illustrated guide, Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall, who between them have seven decades of clinical experience, help readers understand osteoporosis and give a spectrum of exercises for beginners and experts. Classical yoga poses, as well as physiologically sound adapted poses, are presented with easy-to-follow instructions and photographs. The authors welcome readers of all ages and levels of experience into the healing and strengthening practice of yoga."

Yoga practice has been an integral part of my life for a number of years. So I was heartbroken when newly diagnosed with Osteopenia to be warned that some Yoga poses could be dangerous. I came to Fishman and Saltonstall to learn which poses are safe to continue.

And the book ably serves that function. I now have a good idea which poses should be avoided (forward bends that allow curvature of the spine). However I find their suggestion that forward bends are possible as long as the spine is held straight to be alarming. That is so much more difficult than it sounds.

One of the major advantages of a good Yoga instructor is that students are taught which poses loosen muscles and provide flexibility for more difficult poses. Students may do several simple poses in order to prepare their bodies for the flexibility and strength needed for more difficult poses. Not of that is provided here. Nor are the usual Yoga warm up poses included.

Which leads me to conclude that this is not a good way to begin the practice of Yoga, which is far more complex than the text suggests. ( )