Yoga Therapy: Foundations, Methods, and Practices for Common Ailments

Thank you Mark Stephens for providing yoga instructors across the globe with such a tremendous resource for teaching and personal practice!If you've ever taken a yoga class with Mark (or read one of his other books), you know that he is a WEALTH of information about yoga postures and the anatomy. Mark has taken that knowledge and understanding, combined it with resources from numerous experts in the field and produced what I'm deeming a Yoga Therapy "Bible" because it's such a vast and valuable resource. I'm so happy to have this information along with Mark's other books that help me with Sequencing, Adjustments, Cuing, and various aspects of Teaching Yoga. I can't retain information like Mark does, so it's really nice for me to have all of this information at my fingertips so I can access it any time I need it.I'm attaching a few photos so you can see how thick this book is (and I have small fingers :) ) and to give you an idea of how much is covered -- the Table of Contents is actually 5 pages long, but this helps you see how thoroughly Mark delves in the various body systems and also explores specific methods and practices -- (sandwiched in between chapters on The Origins and Sources of Yoga Therapy and Healing Common Conditions as well as a brief Introduction and Epilogue).

Jeanette MacDonald writes...Thank you Mark Stephens for providing yet again an invaluable resource to the yoga community. Having practiced with Mark for over 10 years as well as taken his teacher training, I'm in awe of Mark's knowledge and recall of his many sources, life adventures, and wisdom. "Yoga Therapy" is engaging and creates a practical resource for yoga teachers, practitioners, therapists and anyone longing to deepen their individual practice. Mark's forever encouragement, guidance, patience and experience shine through in his teachings and writings. We all know we feel better when practicing, Mark provides insight as to why that is and gives specific asanas to help guide anyone with intention, focus and breath to heal their physical and mental ailments.The balance of extended research, wisdom and experience provide practical knowledge to improve overall well being. From pregnancy to sports injury to fatigue to restless sleep "Yoga Therapy" will deepen your understanding of the human body. It will help guide you to guide others all the while encouraging movement to free up space in the body and in mind. Enjoy the journey of Yoga and Breeeaaattthhheee!

Mark Stephen's books: Teaching Yoga, and Yoga Sequencing, have been my yoga bibles since I started teaching. I reference them constantly as an invaluable resource for teaching, and home practice. Since my books are well loved/wore down, I was thrilled to get my hands on this new book, Yoga Therapy. I had very high hopes, and the book delivered beyond my expectations. It's almost twice as thick as his other books, but not in a bad way. The book is well organized, and HIGHLY informative. Students with ailments arrive at my class frequently, and I feel ill equipped to tailor a practice specific to their needs in a public setting. This book has given me the tools, and confidence to hone in on individuals needing special attention, while simultaneously leading an effective class for everyone. From sport related injuries, to pregnancy, Yoga Therapy will deepen your understanding of the human body/experience, making you a more effective teacher, and practitioner.

Wow!We have come to expect comprehensive yoga textbooks from Mark Stephens. We also know about his balanced application of scholarly research and practical experience. But with this book, he has set a new benchmark for instructional yoga books. Yoga Therapy does not simply address important subject matter, it dos so with thorough research backed up with over 80 pages of notes and bibliographic references. When Stephens makes an assertion about something, he then goes on to provide several related references that we can then use to go deeper into the topic. Despite the academic seriousness of the book, in the end it is a practical guide to healing with yoga. There are hundreds of clear instructional photos showing how to use modified yoga postures, including with props, to help heal a wide variety of injuries. I think every yoga teacher will want this book as a reference in working with injured students.

As a certified yoga teacher, I recommend all of this author's books as a basis of personal or professional teaching. I found the print to be of faint quality and have spoken to the author and apparent this publisher has his ear. Be sure to spiral bind all his books at Staples for a minimal cost so that you can open the book wide without wearing the binding.

It will take me a year or two to read it. It's huge!

The media could not be loaded. A just love it.

Helpful for self therapy. Good for who work in the office and suffering from office syndromes. Also good to practice after long hiking.