“Yiddish Yoga,” by Lisa Grunberger is a gift book everyone should buy for their grandmother, or anyone, Jewish or not.

“Yiddish Yoga” is not about how or why to do yoga yet when you finish it, especially if you are a grandma, but not necessarily so, you will want to run out and start yoga lessons. The book does not proselytize and yet has a stronger effect than any reasons I have heard for why one should do yoga. “Yiddish Yoga” is deep and light at the same time. It’s personal and adorable. Being a grandmother myself, I loved it.

Ruthie is a recently widowed New York City Jewish grandmother. She is given a year’s worth of yoga lessons as a gift from her granddaughter, Stephanie. Ruthie gently pokes fun at her Yoga experience with its various expressions and rituals. And at the same time Ruthie’s year-long journey with yoga inspires us.

Ruthie takes the reader through her year of yoga sessions with her constant humorous comments in Jewish slang about what she is confronting, both in the new learning and missing her husband. While Ruthie kvetches about her struggles she also absorbs the yoga philosophy as she grows in strength physically and emotionally.

The book is about 100 small pages with approximately a chapter a page. One can read it in one sitting, or a page a day. Both methods would be good. There are charming illustrations through out.

At the end Ruthie tells us that she has signed up for Yoga Teacher training in the Catskills in a hotel where she used to vacation with her husband, telling us that she has come full circle.

Here is a sample from a short chapter.

“VIRABHADRASANA I: Warrior I

Sammy teaches that the warrior asanas are especially powerful for women.

As a Democratic activist, living with osteoporosis, having raised a family, and now taking on yoga, I think of myself as a very powerful, capable woman. Eine shtark frau, Harry always said. A strong woman.

So when Sammy says, ‘Don’t be a worrier, be a warrior!’ I breath into that with my whole neshome, my whole soul.

I’m a Senior Citizen Power Bubby!”

The books is a mix of yoga and yiddish expressions. Besides being humorous as well as inspirational, “Yiddish Yoga“  has an extra gift of two Glossaries. There is a Yiddish Glossary with 56 expressions from A to Z. Beginning with:

“AZOY: So, thus, if you eat too many bialys before you do yoga, you will get a stomach ache — azoy.”

and

“ZAFTIG: To have a little something to hold on to, as my Harry used to say; to be a little plump.”

The Sanskrit / Yoga Glossary begins with:

“ADHO MUKHA SVANASANA: Downward Dog Pose. For an older dog, I sure have learned new tricks. Make sure you’re making the letter V-shape in this inversion. (If you pick up your leg, it’s called the Fire Hydrant Pose.)

About the Author
Lisa Grunberger’s poems have been published in numerous literary journals, and she often performs original poetry and performance pieces in NYC and Philadelphia. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion from the University of Chicago Divinity School and has been teaching yoga classes for many years. A native New Yorker, she now lives in Philadelphia. Yiddish Yoga is her first book.

Cobra Yoga Pose Print, 11 X 17" - $10

The Cobra Pose

by Sherry Holistan

The Cobra pose is usually known as Bhujangasana in Eastern countries like India. “Bhujanga” means cobra in the Sanskrit language and hence the name which is widely accepted in the West.

The Cobra pose is greatly effective as it can relieve certain types of lower back aches as over time it strengthens the lower back.

In the pose or the Bhujangasana the body faces downwards where as the upper body is curled upwards. This allows the body to resemble a cobra which is ready to strike with its head raised. The cobra pose is usually the first to be practised in the series of backward bending poses which is usually followed by asanas like the Locust pose and bow postures.

The warm up of the muscles of the back is a must before a fully fledged performance of the yoga cobra pose as it requires powerful movement of the back bone muscles. The Cobra pose if practised without proper warm up, like any yoga pose or physical exercise, may result in strained muscles.

While performing it one should exercise caution not to push the physical limitations of one and one should only extend to the limit which is comfortable for oneself without straining one’s back. One of the tips to check if one is performing within the limits of ones strength is to remove the hands off the floor for a second so that the body will adjust to a height which is safe as well as comfortable.

The pose is highly beneficial for the lower back as it results in enhanced flexibility of the back. This is mainly because of the powerful backward stretch allowed by the Cobra pose. Spinal nerves are rejuvenated and strengthened by the regular practice of these types of positions. This posture is especially recommended for women as it relieves them from some menstrual problems as well as effectively tones the uterus as well as the ovaries. It also helps in achieving firm and strong buttocks. The traditional Indian texts are of the opinion that the pose increases internal heat of the body which boosts the immunity and fights diseases. They are also of the opinion that it is a helpful pose to awaken the kundalini.

People who have an injured back should not perform the yoga cobra pose. The cobra pose should be avoided by pregnant ladies as well. Also, the patients of hernia should not perform this pose, as it can aggravate the suffering. It is best to get instruction from a qualified instructor either in a class or from good yoga DVDs.

Sherry Holistan is a Hatha, Vinyasa and Bakti Yoga Practitioner.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sherry_Holistan

There is much concern about Swine flu in the news so I am posting an article here by Rahul Shariff on how yoga can help strengthen your immune system.

Click on the image to find more Swine Flu help.

“The news which has dominated the world and made people forget about recession and other related issues has to do with swine flu. So what exactly is swine flu and why has it caused such an impact? Swine Flu also known as the H1N1 flu is one of the several kinds of swine influenza virus. It is predominantly found only in pigs. People with regular exposure to pigs are at more risk. The outbreak is due to a new strain and it has spread across the world causing loss of life and prompting the WHO (World Health Organization) to declare it as “public health emergency of international concern”. The vaccine that is used to treat it is known as Tami flu. This is the conventional form of treatment.

So how do you prevent the virus affecting you or your loved ones? It has been found that people with the least immune strength are the first to get affected. People with asthma as well as other respiratory problems are among the high risk groups. How does one strengthen the immune system and get rid of respiratory problems at the same time? The solution lies in the ancient and widely practiced form of science called Yoga.

Yoga has different types of asanas which strengthen the lungs and correct form of breathing has been found to effectively cure and prevent a number of diseases. Pranayama or the breathing exercise strengthens the internal organs, the nerves and glands of the body. The major types of Pranayama are Nadi Sodhana, Shitali Pranayama, Ujjayi Pranayama, Kapalbhati Pranayama and Digra Pranayama. Regular practice has been found to increase the immunity. An individual whose entire body is strong stands a better chance of fighting swine flu.

We are in the sign of Leo the Lion, July 23 to August 23rd.

Your ruling planet is not a planet, but the sun associated with vitality and authority. Your colors are gold and orange. Your gem is Ruby. The body parts ruled by Leo are the spine and the heart. Your best quality is exuberance. Among other things you are Loyal, Luminary, Leader and Lover, ruled by Shining Sun.

The Lion is considered the king of the jungle,  Some Leos even have hair resembling the thick mane of the Lion. The Lioness proudly cares for the young, hunts and takes care of survival with relentless intent and ferocity, when needed.

Leos are warm of spirit, eager for action and are driven by a desire to be loved for what you bring to others. You are a magnanimous leader and a faithful servant. Once scorned in love, however, you’ll withdraw your affections and the light, once brilliant, can go cold.

I created a new poster for Leo Yoga Babe, doing her pose next to her guardian lion. It measures 11 x 17 inches and costs $10.