Overview

YOGA YEARS Disclaimer: if you're not a fan of yoga already, after reading this book you may feel compelled to try it! In this thought provoking and entertaining book Kathy Arthurson (PhD) discusses the inspiring results from studying yoga practitioners aged 60 plus - Yoga years: True stories of how yoga transforms ageing tells encouraging, uplifting and inspiring stories about people 60 plus and their journey through yoga, challenging common myths about ageing. Bette Calman, a contributor, demonstrated yoga on 1960's day-time television - at 93, she's still practising. Kathy says watching these seniors move their agile bodies through poses is a testament to the benefits of yoga. Meeting them made me think that practising yoga keeps you young forever. And I'm not talking about a lack of wrinkles and grey hair, or looking like Cher or Madonna. The yoga women share a joy and vigour for life that belies their age. The stories in YOGA YEARS offer a refreshing and uplifting view of 21st century ageing - these women (youngest 66, oldest 95) are embracing their 'longevity bonus' and living life to the full through yoga. The delightful contributors to this collection share over 400 years of wisdom, presenting an enthralling case for how to live a happier, healthier and more contented life. The book is not a yoga instruction manual although the women do share their favourite practices and tips for optimising health and for 'just making you feel marvellous!' Intimate and comforting, the stories reveal that just like the rest of us, these women have navigated the ups and downs of life - but yoga has helped them bounce back and maintain an upbeat view of life. The final chapter summarises and grounds the women's claims about the benefits of yoga in comprehensive research. YOGA YEARS is a must-read book for anyone of any age who wants to read positive uplifting stories about how to live a healthy, productive and purposeful life with a sense of inner contentment (as they grow older). The book offers a compelling argument that it's never too late to start practising yoga, and that a shift in our beliefs about ageing is long overdue.

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9780648680246

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Reviews

A beautiful book telling the stories of nine yoga teachers, all of them with a remarkable story to tell, told by a fellow yoga teacher and researcher, Kathy Arthurson. The vitality and energy of these amazing women well into their later years is a testament to the power of yoga to aid health and well-being. I particularly loved the way their stories were an illustration of what the research, well documented in this book, tells us about the impact of mindfulness and yoga practice on both physical and mental well-being. A must read for anyone interested in positive ageing! Cheryl Quinn, Clinical Psychologist A real-life over fear approach to ageing in the 21st century. A must-read for all, especially women looking to age with grace, natural beauty, and the belief in their limitless potential regardless of age. Brynne Caleda, M.Ed., eRYT, CEO Yoga Ed. Telling stories is a powerful way of letting the world know about our experiences. This book by Kathy Arthurson tells stories about people and their journey through yoga. It is encouraging, uplifting and inspiring. I dare anyone to read it and not feel compelled to try yoga! Professor John Coveney, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, South Australia. Kathy Arthurson's Yoga Years provides a snapshot history of yoga teaching since the 1940s through the stories of nine women, from a Russian immigrant in the 1920s through the hippie era, to TV yoga, and women who continue to teach today as they head into their 70s and beyond. At the same time, the stories give refreshing encouragement to challenge the current mass delusion that as you get older your body will necessarily break down like an old car. While most of us are unlikely to practise yoga at the level of these interviewees, or may never take up yoga at all, you can take inspiration from their optimism despite their life challenges. The book has nice little touches to round out each story, including an introduction to the woman and the 'bookends' of a poem about them and the author's interview reflections. I was interested to hear of the considerable yoga training most of these teachers had done - which is getting lost today in the quick-course approach for many fitness and health modalities - and the explanation of different styles and aspects of yoga beyond just the physical focus that most people see. I commend this book to you if you are interested in yoga, or are keen to join the new wave of women committed to 'growing younger'! Dr Lareen Newman PhD, Women's Coach for Work-Stress Release at Tapping Into Serenity.

Author Information

Associate Professor Kathy Arthurson is an award-winning social scientist, writer and researcher. She teaches mindfulness and life skills to students at Flinders University, along with supervising medical students on Advanced Studies research projects on different aspects of yoga and health. In YOGA YEARS Kathy turns her attention to the life stories of nine yoga teachers (aged from 66 to 95) in Australia and New Zealand who are living life to the full and embracing their 'longevity bonus'. She is knowledgeable and passionate about the benefits of yoga for health and wellbeing, having practised and taught yoga for over twenty years (kathyarthursonyoga.com) - and is the past South Australian Representative for Yoga Australia (the national peak body for yoga in Australia). She is currently an adviser to the board of Yogazeit a registered charity and not for profit organisation empowering youth and seniors through yoga and mindfulness

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