Yoga for Osteoporosis: The Complete Guide 1st Edition

This is a highly informative book. I have referred to at time and time again over the years and have shared it with my clients. It's definitely a keeper if your yoga therapist.

Excellent book for all ages, but particularly for those looking to modify more intense yoga workouts to account for possible existing or new injuries or chronic structural issues, or simply the aging process. I particularly appreciated the in-depth, scientific discussions and illustrations of bone structure and cells and how yoga and the healthy stress and pull of muscle on bone can stimulate bone growth. I have been practicing power yoga for a number of years and then suffered a rotator cuff injury doing a carpentry project. This book allowed me to continue with yoga as the intro for each yoga pose notes precautions for positions that would adversely affect my specific injury. Eventually, after some physical therapy and rest, I attribute much of the healing of my injury to using this book during recovery.Each pose is broken down into three sections: For Osteoporosis; For Osteopenia; and for Prevention. The more modified poses for osteoporosis can feel very challenging, even for someone who has practiced yoga for a long time, if practiced according to the descriptions. Older women will find this book invaluable and also very encouraging regarding bone growth. Younger women will definitely find a better understanding of how the body responds vis a vis their yoga and fitness routines, knowledge that I have found woefully (and at times dangerously) lacking from yoga instructors teaching a physical class.Last pro: This is a non-fussy approach! All you need is a mat, rolled towel, chair, belt, wall - a block or bolster if you happen to have one.

The science is well written and easily understood. However, I have to admit to some disappointment in the yoga poses, as formatted. An article in the NYTimes mentioned that there were 12 poses in the study, and it took about 12 minutes a day to go through all twelve. It's nice that there are so many poses at so many levels in the book (way more than twelve) but ultimately it is confusing as to which poses will work best for which person. Specifically, I have no idea which poses would work for me and, worse, I can't figure out what several are in the article (those that were specifically used in the study) as portrayed in the book. The names don't match in both places. Or maybe they do match if you know something about yoga, but I know next to nothing about any of the various yoga poses and cannot guess which of the many poses in the book the "bent-knee twist," "straight-legged twist," or "locust" might be. The "supine hand-to-foot I and II" are also not so named in the book.I'd like to do the specific poses that those people in the study did.Then I did find, in the book, where you can buy the DVD that people used in the study (scoliosis.org) but it's nearly $30, including postage, and I just spent nearly $12 on this useless (to me) book, so no go for me, not at least for awhile. Some of us don't have tons of money every month.I gave the book four stars just because the scientific info is great. And if you know anything about yoga, you're probably a lot smarter than me and can probably figure out which poses would work for you. I apparently have osteoporosis, though, and I need things to be a bit more specific for me, at this point. So without my seeing the DVD, if you just need the poses, I'd probably go with that. Of course, I haven't seen it to know for sure....Edit : I finally found the study poses online. Go here for the actual names and photos of the study poses : [...]

This book gave me a wealth of new sequencing ideas, and as a yoga instructor with osteoporosis myself, I’m keen to have all of this knowledge on hand for quick reference.

This book was recommended by a physical therapist. It is great because it has all the major poses with modifications for osteoporosis, osteopenia and prevention. This book was written by an M.D. with a lot of experience on the do's and don'ts for home practice. I take my book with me to show my PT's and my yoga teachers.Did I mention it has a lot of great pictures and easy to follow explanations? It really shows me how to implement my modifications with blocks, bolsters, straps and the wall.I already know pretty much all the classic yoga poses but this shows and tell me how exactly to modify. I will be using this book for many years as I get more into my yoga routine aimed at prevention of bone decline. There is some medical explanation of osteoporosis at the beginning of the text which will add to your knowledge of the condition.I never knew not to do hard twists or roll downs to touch the floor prior to this. I am now using the book as my own link to an MD( the author) as a guide.

I felt this book presented a very thorough treatment of the subject. Supporting the yoga approach to stronger bones Dr. Fishman relates his knowledge of the practice of yoga knowledge of anatomy and physiology to yoga benefits. He makes a lot of practical sense. Here is a chance to do your body some good without a pill. The value of isometric exercise on the skeleton/body is finally demonstrated through yoga. Who would have known. Dr. Fishman is a life changer. Yoga, as a safe treatment,The book is organized well and written in a positive and friendly style. I have already spent a good deal of time with it. Of course, the reader should have some knowledge/experience with yoga. With the increasing interest in yoga we all have a chance to take a bigger role in our own bone health and avoid suffering in the future. Thank you Dr. Fishman.