Breathe: Yoga For Teens

TEEN DREAMS: Social pressures stacked on top of school and sports make being a girl today harder than ever. Boston yoga teacher Mary Kaye Chryssicas addresses these teen stressors in her hip new book, Breathe: Yoga for Teens (DK Publishing), which outlines the asanas, pranayama, and Ayurvedic philosophy to help young women thrive. Featuring teenage models and their stories, the book successfully teaches self-confidence and compassion in terms that any teen with an open mind will find enlightening.

Erica Rodefer, Yoga Journal

Why should teens turn to yoga? In a world buzzing with cell phones, peer pressure, and negative body images, teens need to arm themselves with positive energy and activities. Breathe is the perfect introduction for teens to the power and benefits of yoga - and how it can improve their outlook on life. Written by Mary Kaye Chryssicas, a registered teacher with Yoga Alliance and mother to three yogi kids, Breathe offers teens a gentle introduction to yoga that explains the best poses and techniques for a satisfying yoga practice. From warming up to building confidence to cultivating creativity - Breathe covers a full range of subjects guaranteed to pique the interest of teenagers. An instructional how-to DVD offers a visual guide to the yogic arts as demonstrated by two of Mary Kaye's teenaged students. Mary Kaye's honest perspective, page after page of full-color photographs of key yoga poses and a 35-minute DVD make Breathe one of the most accessible yoga books available. Breathe is the first step for teens to stay happy, healthy and fit.

Review by Books of Tao in London, England

What's so cool about yoga? It's an exercise that not only helps you get physically fit, but it also helps you de-stress. It also doesn't require a lot of fancy, pricey equipment; you can do it alone or with a group of friends; it can help you improve your posture, your self-confidence, and your sports skills; and it's something you can do your entire life. Breathe not only gives more scoop on the many benefits of yoga-ing, but the full-color book also includes step-by-step photos of all the yoga poses, as well as a CD that includes video how-tos!

TEENmag.com

More than just an introduction to yoga, Breathe is a thoughtful handbook for navigating the teenage years with less stress and more stability. The honest, conversational tone of the text invites readers to bend their minds and bodies in ways that may at first feel unfamiliar or scary. To temper those worries Chryssicas shares stories from her own adolescence that serve to reassure readers and illustrate how basic yoga principles apply to everyday life. In all, this book and DVD package makes a healthy gift for any girl, regardless of body type or body image.

Alison Morris, Children's Book Buyer, Wellesley Booksmith

This is the best book on yoga for teens ever!! I wish I'd had yoga--and Mary Kaye's book--when I was a teenager... My, how those years would have been different. Let's face it: being a teen is challenging for all, and Mary Kaye lovingly and wisely guides you through the turbulent waters with grace. This is a must-read book for any teen, and parent of a teen.

Taylor Wells, m.a., m.ed., owner of Prana Power Yoga

I want to tell you how much I absolutely love your book, Breathe: Yoga for Teens. I have not seen another book out there that tackles the issues facing teens and how yoga can help them to relate to those issues. Well done!

Mindy Hastings, Yoga Alliance

The first time I ever attempted yoga was in a YMCA class. The lithe instructor tortured us with all sorts of pretzel-looking moves, all the time saying what I thought was "Tiramisu, tiramisu." I became so dessert-oriented during the experience that ever since, I have kept my yoga training between me and a televised instructor... Luckily this how-to book comes with a DVD to accompany the wonderful illustrations, photographs and instructions. The chapters are broken down into short sections that guide the beginning yoga practitioner through everything needed to know about this healthy way of gaining flexibility, strength and confidence. Encouraging quotes pepper the book, as do hints about form for maximum results. Plus, Mary Kaye Chryssicas adds tips on navigating the teen years with yoga as a way to reduce stress... This is a neat guidebook for teens hoping to improve their physical and mental well being through exercise. I particularly like the tips and challenges included in paisley swirls throughout. Very go-girl oriented!

Monica Young, Journal Book Reviewer

SOMETIMES YOU GET WHAT YOU NEED: It's a beautifully done book, 160 pages of yoga theory, tenets, postures and sequences, all colorfully laid out (it's published by DK, and like all DK books is attractively designed). The text is written in language that's neither esoteric nor condescending, so teens should enjoy reading it. The DVD offers a half-hour yoga routine demonstrated by two teen yoginis... This is another one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" books. Teens are the very definition of "monkey mind," terrifically unable to let go of anything, and prone to overanalyzing and overdramatizing every facet of their lives. (It's a wonder any of us ever survive to adulthood with our psyches intact.) So anything that will teach them to be still and sit with their feelings rather than seek an immediate "fix" can only be a good thing. And at $14.99, it's a lot cheaper than therapy (for both of us).

Kathleen Stebbins, Reno Gazette Journal

This book is soooo incredible. It is such a great combination of wisdom, skill, fun, creativity, beauty, friendship... all of it. It so captures what are the best parts of being a teen. I loved it!

Jennifer Harvey, owner Laughing Dog Yoga

I bought Breathe: Yoga for Teens for my daughter, but I found my 12-year-old son curled up with it. After he tried some yoga poses, we had a great talk about body image and self-esteem. Any book that prompts those powerful conversations is a hit in our house! Check out the DVD to really learn those poses.

Anne Peacher, Dragon Books