KEEP MOVING, KEEP YOUNG: GENTLE YOGA EXERCISES

by Margaret Graham (Conker Productions £9.00)

Although this book was written with the older generation in mind, it is an ideal guide to yoga for people suffering from chronic pain.

The book is written in a style that is easily read and understood. It has good advice to give, is practical and refers to the experiences of those who have tried out and benefited from practice.

It concentrates on what can be done whatever the age and/or disability of the person and gives good guidance on deciding a start point for activity.

This self-help approach fits in well with the management of chronic pain. The level of exercise is determined by the individual who is advised not to compete or compare with others but gradually to increase activity so that flare-up is avoided. This sound advice is supported by education on the effects of exercise on the joints, bones, circulation, etc.

The link between the body, mind and emotions is brought to the reader’s attention. Chronic pain sufferers will recognise this link and find the chapter on relaxation especially useful. The author goes on to teach quick relaxation techniques so that tension can be recognised and checked in various postures and activities. The role of breathing control both in terms of relaxation and effective exercising is considered.

There is a very useful chapter on posture with helpful illustrations outlining good and bad practice. This topic is raised again in the book, pain is discussed and some helpful advice is given.

The book also addresses the subjects of sleep and concentration and suggests ways of improving these. Relaxation, breathing and stretch are the basics for tackling problems and each is covered in depth in the book.

There are suggested programmes to work through, each taking 30 - 40 minutes. It is useful to work towards these by, as the book suggests, exploring stretch in each part of the body.

This book provides an excellent start point for yoga for chronic pain sufferers or indeed to all of us who accept the invitation to "discover your tense areas". The reminders in the text to carry out each movement "with effort but not strain" are helpful. "Use it – don’t lose it” is the title of chapter one. Whether the book is read from cover to cover or as a reference guide, this motto can be the reader's aim.


Keep Moving Keep Young is available from Conker Productions, 59 Ifield Drive, Ifield, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 0DG. The price of £9.00 includes postage.

"Keep Moving, Keep Young" on Amazon.co.uk »