:: January/February 2005 Volume 4/Number 1

Media Reviews: Books

Reviewed by Marie Black and Julie Deife

Walk like a bear, stand like a tree, run like the wind By Carol Bassett Nubod Concepts, 2003

According to the American Obesity Association, about 15.5 percent of adolescents and 15.3 percent of children are obese. Statistics like this reveal a frightening truth: we are facing the physical deterioration of our nation’s children.
Among those concerned with this is Carol Bassett, lifelong fitness devotee, who has written and designed a book that introduces kids to the benefits of yoga, stretching and aerobic exercise. Bassett has crafted the characters of Coach Ernie and his dog, Buddy, to guide kids through a fun-filled journey beginning with yoga to stretch and increase flexibility and aerobic activities such as soccer, basketball and swimming to increase cardio vascular health.

Two thirds of the book focuses on yoga—from balancing postures to bridge pose. Bassett also invites kids to use visualization techniques, asking them to liken themselves to a mountain in tadasana or a boat in navasana.
Missing in the lessons, however, are two key yoga concepts. One is the phonetic spellings of the various asana, which would introduce kids to the world of Sanskrit and the other is a separate section on the breath, the cornerstone of any yoga practice. Also, Bassett forgets to mention the all-important rule to remember during balancing poses: focus on a static spot, as opposed to just any spot, which is what Bassett instructs.

But for these minor omissions, Bassett has crafted a caring way to get kids up and moving. Included is a detachable workout journal and she encourages kids to record their activites daily. She also does a great job of integrating east and west—by showing how yoga and cardiovascular activities can and do complement each other. Through simple, yet not condescending language and colorful illustrations, Bassett gently lures kids into what may prove to be a lifelong love of fitness, exercise and body-mind-spirit connection.
—Marie Black

Opening to Meditation a gentle, guided approach By Diana Lang New World Library, 2004

God bless the Buddha when he said, “Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” Based on this tenet, Diana Lang, twenty-five year meditation teaching veteran, has crafted a 79-page meditation book and CD that is as simple to use as it is helpful.

This little book is divided into two parts: the art of meditation followed by the practice of it. Part one contains a definition of meditation. It encompasses the concept of congruency—the conscious link between self or personality, and soul—plus convincing assurances that we already have what we need to practice meditation and be fulfilled.

Part two tells us how to make the art a reality. Lang gives practical instruction: how to practice, create a sacred space, sit and breathe. She discusses intention and attention, two hallmarks of any meditation practice. One chapter is devoted to being alone, something on which many of us need continual guidance, assurance and practice in doing.

She rounds the book out with chapters on common questions, another one with a simple meditation exercise and the last one on how to use the CD. The CD contains Lang’s perky-yet-soothing voice to help you get started on your meditation journey as well as to deepen practice.

What is remarkable about this duo is Lang’s distillation process. Because there is nothing worse than a meditation book that keeps you locked in your mind, Lang stripped all florid language and concept away so that the essential nature of meditation is revealed. All that remains is simplicity, beauty, and grace—just like our essential Selves.
—Marie Black

Yogi in the Kitchen By Elaine Gavalas, M.A., M.S. Avery, 2005 New York

The main idea of Elaine Gavalas’ new book, “Yogi in the Kitchen”, is that the kitchen is both a touchstone for yogic meal preparation and spiritual transformation. She presents this in an alarmingly comprehensive and simplistic way.
While the book begins with a history of the yogic tradition of vegetarianism in accordance with the yamas, or ethical principals, Gavalas stresses that vegetarianism is not a requirement of the yogic diet and that everyone’s choices should come from a “conscious, self-reflective” approach. She then provides a description of gunas (sattvas, rajas and tamas), four different healthful diets (vegetarian, Mediterranean, Asian, and Ayurvedic), and the doshas, or Ayurvedic mind-body types (pitta, kapha, and vata). Recipes ranging from Orzo Salad with Spinach and Feta Cheese to Om Juice—as well as 98 others—are offered in application of the lessons presented.

Although Gavalas’ talents are certainly well displayed through the varied and interesting recipes, one of the greatest gifts of this book is the section on practicing yoga in the kitchen while preparing a meal. As Gavalas recognizes, many of us just don’t have the time after a long day at work and an often equally long commute home, to stop off and do a yoga class. The solution—practice while you prep. The flow of your kitchen practice includes familiar friends: pranayama, modified downward-facing and upward-facing dog, asanas for helping digestive problem based on doshas, and relaxation pose. This added feature makes for a delicious soulful lagniappe and sets the book apart.

Ultimately, Gavalas’ book is not only a recipe book but a lifestyle one. It shows how taking small steps—such as cutting down on red meat, keeping a food journal, or doing yoga in your kitchen—can yield big results and provide a blueprint for a better present incarnation.
—Marie Black

Yoga Anytime, Anywhere By Carol Blackman and Elise Browning Miller Llewellyn Publications, 2004

As the practice of yoga becomes more widespread in America, capitalist imperatives follow, bringing the inevitable: yoga commerce. With so many products from so many lineages, yogis must go deep within, back to their source and pose the question: “Do I really need another yoga book?”
The answer is “yes” if the book is the new one from Blackman and Miller, who have crafted a volume that makes good on its titular promise. The book opens with two short chapters: one on the difference between simple stretching and yoga, the other on the breath. Next, it is on to the asanas, each chapter following a well-defined format of explanation, pictures, authors’ notes and variations, which helps make the book a handy reference guide for newcomers.

Convenient too, is the authors’ use of practical language to show how yoga can benefit people in common situations—at the office, on a plane, in the kitchen and after cardio vascular exercise. Other chapters include asana to strengthen the back and firm the legs, abdomen and waist. The authors include specialty chapters on yoga for sports and one called “Harmonize Your Hormones,” important information for female yogis, in particular. The crowning jewel of the book comes last: a reference chapter with thumbnails of all the asanas covered, allowing us to customize and cultivate our own practices.

On the most basic level “Yoga Anytime, Anywhere” is a treasure because of its simplicity and ability to appeal to even the most yoga-phobic. I showed the book to my Southern Baptist relatives—brethren who had previously decided that yoga, while not the work of Satan, was dubious at best—and they were converted, well, interested, even if only for the moment precisely because of its straightforward information and practical approach and presentation.

“Yoga Anytime, Anywhere” is sure to be picked up by those wanting simple explanations to the complex and increasingly popular science of yoga.
—Marie Black

My Daddy is a Pretzel By Baron Baptiste Barefoot Books 2004

What we need in this world are more healthy role models for our children. There is far too much emphasis in the media on sports heroes who are later busted for drugs, alcohol or sexual abuse. In the introduction to his new book “My Daddy is a Pretzel,” Baron Baptiste shares with us how fortunate he was growing up to have pioneering yoga parents as role models who encouraged a healthy lifestyle through the practice of yoga and meditation.

Now himself a father of three boys, Baptiste follows in his parents’ footsteps, not only as a world-class yoga teacher, but also by encouraging kids to take up the practice. This colorful, simply written, beautifully illustrated (by Sophie Faustus) hardcover book is easy to use to introduce yoga to children.
The storyline is really simple – everyone who’s been in grade school has heard this:
“Today, in class, we’re going to say
What jobs our parents do each day.”

For each profession named, the narrator counters with something his daddy ‘is,’ all of them yoga poses.
For example, when Lionel says his parents are vets, the narrator shares that “Sometimes, my daddy’s a dog.” (Guess which pose? If you said adho mukha svanasana – dog pose – you’re correct.) Daddy is a triangle (trikonasana), says the narrator, when another child offers that her mother is an architect.

Following each comparison of a profession to a yoga pose, Baptiste explains in a short paragraph the lessons to be learned from doing each pose. Compared to a farmer, the narrator has his daddy being a plow (halasana), because “overturning old ways of seeing things sets the ground for inner growth.”

Then, as if that isn’t enough, Sophie Fatus’ incredible watercolor illustrations of each posture - a full page devoted to the execution of each - practically pull you to the mat.
While reading this short book I found myself wondering how any adult could fail to be impressed by the clever way so many concepts have been presented. From the benefits and inner meanings of yoga postures relating to the way we live,
Baptiste rounds out the book with what, by now, seems like gentle fatherly advice from a daddy who is a yogi. The chapter Tips for Young Yogis includes such pointers as follow the sequence and rest at the end;
Having the Right Attitude mentions not to compete in yoga, believe in yourself, respect your body; and finally Yoga and Your Life helps kids understand that yoga is a journey of self.
Oh. And what profession is the narrator responding to when he says, “My daddy is a pretzel?” I will tell you the pose is marichyasana (seated twist), but I won’t reveal the profession; you’ll need to read the book.
—Julie Deife

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