Good book. Way to start a practice. Variety of poses. ( )

Great book! If you are not a joiner but would like to get fit with Yoga, this is a good book to work with. The pictures are well done, the authors seem to know what they are talking about, so you can feel as though you are in good hands here. Clearly structured and easy to follow exercises will help to do the exercises right, thus not risking injury, and get as much health benefit out of using this book as can be reasonably expected. ( )

As a beginner, I've been reading a lot of Yoga books lately. Each has something unique to offer, this book has a lot to offer.
To start with there is a very good in depth explanation of Yoga and its variations. That is a great help when you're floundering...wondering where to start or where to go to next. Of course this book covers all the benefits but somehow that was never enough to for me to keep at it; to keep trying. But Beth Shaw goes one step further, she explains how to keep growing with with her program even though you may not be seeing benefits-the benefits are still there. It gives you the confidence to keep pushing because you know what is happening. The photos are detailed and helpful. There are workout routines to follow and explanations on how to create your own routine. There are plenty of modifications to the poses, but maybe could use a few more for the true beginner and out-of-shape individual. This book works in nicely with my other yoga books, with more details, new positions, and examples of combining meditation with Yoga. It's a terrific book for anyone serious about adding yoga to their life. ( )

This is a cut above the standard selection of yoga “how to” books. It is splendidly illustrated with almost 275 pages of color photos and step-by-step instructions that are detailed enough for beginners and carefully nuanced for veteran yoga enthusiasts.
Shaw offers a thoughtful review of lifestyle considerations that are appropriate to her YogaFit disciplines. She explores the philosophical foundations of yoga, and gives painstaking attention to her exploration of the physical, mental and spiritual essentials of yoga.
YogaFit is not a casual book. You’ll have to use it like you mean it.
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I have to start off with a disclaimer: I haven't actually used Beth Shaw's Yoga Fit in my regular practice yet. But, having said that - Beth Shaw's Yoga Fit is a gorgeous book, visually. The good news: the full color photographs clearly illustrate each move and the narrative is easy to follow. I especially liked the tips around each photograph and the modifications for each pose. As an aside, the inclusion of men in the photographs is also really smart. My favorite section was the workout section. The inclusion of two photographs per move and illustrating alternate moves is great.

Now, for the bad news: I was disappointed by the use of proprietary props and wished Shaw had offered alternatives to buying her YogaFit egg blocks, mats or straps. People should know that small blankets, pillows and/or towels can be used as safe and inexpensive alternatives.
The other small disappointment I had was with the book was determining level of expertise with each pose. For example, the Elephant Pose and Eight Angle Pose seem really difficult and should have more stages in preparation for the final poses. Chair Pose has concise practice tips and it is an easier pose to accomplish. ( )