   I often get emails asking me the difference between our Yoga 4 Teens book and the eBooks, Teaching Yoga to Teenagers, Volumes 1-3. They are so very different with different content! Apparently, this is unclear. So, it’s time for me to define them for you, most valued teacher, and clear this up once and for all. |
The book, Yoga 4 Teens, An Instructor’s Manual to Teaching Yoga to Teenagers, is a complete resource and a “how to” teach book. It addresses how to manage teenagers in a yoga setting and the first four limbs of yoga (yama, niyama, asana, pranayama) as well as each category of yoga poses and their relevancy and application to a teen audience. It also contains eight practice sequences appropriate for the teen classroom. It is a 9“ by 11.5” hard-backed, spiral bound book ideally suited for classroom use (since it lays flat on the ground while open).
The eBooks, Teaching Yoga to Teenagers, Volumes 1-3 are a compilation of commentaries and interviews. They have NONE of the content from Yoga 4 Teens, An Instructor’s Manual to Teaching Yoga to Teenagers. The eBooks provide light content about what it takes to teach teens and showcases different teachers who are doing the work, too, but they are not thorough and deep in content like the Yoga 4 Teens book, nor are they instructional as to how to teach teens. You may get ideas and inspiration from the eBooks, however. Also, the eBooks are delivered via a .pdf file that you read through Adobe Reader. If you want a physical version of the eBook, you simply print it out from your own printer.
The all-round best resource that I would want every teen yoga teacher to have is the real book, Yoga 4 Teens. I’ve been told that it is one of the most useful yoga books on teacher’s shelves; that it is a book that teachers refer to again and again. I’ll let you in on a little secret that Jennifer (my co-author) and I have. We actually refer to our own book when we are preparing to teach teens. It has that much useful information.
The eBooks have all kinds of tidbits of good information relevant to teaching teens. They are entertaining and inspiring to read. They document a lot about teaching teens yoga and are worth getting, too. It’s worth mentioning that Volumes I, II, (and soon-to-be-released III) are not necessary to read in chronological order. Like I mentioned, they are simply compilations of articles, each volume with unique content. I’ve received lots of feedback from very pleased people who have purchased the eBooks. They seem to quench the desire of teen yoga teachers to read about what’s happening in the field.
Book or eBook?
If that is the question, the answer is to first buy the book, Yoga 4 Teens, An Instructor’s Manual to Teaching Yoga to Teenagers and then second, buy the Yoga eBooks, Teaching Yoga to Teenagers volumes 1-3. The only exception to my recommendation is if your circumstance is such that you simply MUST have some teen yoga content immediately (since the Yoga 4 Teens book has to be shipped to you.) Furthermore, there are a limited quantity of the Yoga 4 Teens book, and they are going fast. If you want your copy of this classic resource on teaching teenagers yoga, I suggest you act sooner rather than later.
Comparison Chart:
Reviews & Testimonials:
Here are some comments from people who have purchased “Yoga 4 Teens, An Instructor’s Manual for Teaching Yoga to Teenagers”:
“This book as become my yoga training Bible!”
“Yoga 4 Teens, An Instructor’s Manual for Teaching Yoga to Teenagers is an awesome reference that I use even in my adult classes.”
“The book has lots of great info. It’s easy to read and digest. Also, I like that it’s spiral bound.”
“The book is a fantastic reference and tool that you will use over and over.”
“The book is so informative. It includes rationale of what will and will not work.”
“I will recommend this book to others. It is jam packed with info. I refer to it often.”
“This book is a true gift for educators. It provides so much insight about teens and their needs when learning yoga.”
“This book is so detailed, so comprehensive, so awesome.”
“I would recommend this book to others. It is very helpful in understanding teens and their comfort levels.”
“I would recommend this book to others. It is very well-organized and encompassing. Very helpful!!!”
“I will definitely recommend this book to others. It doesn’t leave out anything. It is very thorough. I love the quotes, evaluations, all the guidelines for teaching poses and the yoga facts for teens.”
“This is an awesome book, reference, and guide.”
“The book is excellent. The poses chosen are excellent and have a wide range. The directions and photos are clear and easy to use.”
“It is beautiful, easy to read, and useful for teachers, parents, and teens alike.”
“The Yoga 4 Teens book provides everything you need to know to feel confident in teaching yoga to teens. It’s an excellent resource.”
“The book ensures you will connect with teens and gives you a greater chance of having a positive impact on teens.”
And, here is a review of the book, submitted by Michelle of MichelleYoga at movingintostillness.com yoga forum.
I have bought many (MANY!) yoga books in my time.ﾠ Some are read and placed on a shelf forever more; others are dipped into every now and again; and one or two are forever on my coffee table, ready to be thumbed, read and digested whenever I’m getting ready for a yoga class.ﾠYoga 4 Teens is one of these books.ﾠ After reading the information on Christy Brock’s website, I knew it would be good, but nothing could have prepared me for just how wonderful it really is.
The book is described as spiral bound, which brings to mind a flimsy, paper-backed manual which will soon start to curl at the edges.ﾠ However, that is NOT the case with this book; it is spiral-bound with a difference.ﾠ If you have David Swenson’s Ashtanga book, you’ll know what I mean when I say it is spiral-bound, but then covered with a hardwearing board cover.ﾠ This ensures that the book can be carried around without getting damaged, which is good news for a teacher’s manual.
The book is divided into three parts: “What to know”; “Poses and teaching them”; and “Sample classes”.ﾠ It is followed by an Appendix which includes charts, lists of postures, resources, quotes and more. The three parts of this book are everything you could ever wish to know about teaching yoga to teenagers. (And incidentally while it is aimed at the teenage market, it is also a wonderful resource if you teach younger children too).ﾠ Chapters in Part one include: Establishing a teaching position; Classroom space and props; Principles of teaching teens; Yoga philosophy in the teen classroom; Practicalities; and Class planning.
This part of the book is a fantastic resource for preparing yourself to teach teens, while part two is everything you need to teach the postures themselves, from standing postures to relaxation and everything in between.ﾠ This part of the book takes up over 100 pages and is illustrated throughout with hundreds of photographs demonstrating all of the postures.ﾠ There are even extra sections on menstruation, breath awareness and special cases.
Part three includes five sample classes and three objective-specific classes, all of which are illustrated and described with both the English name and the Sanskrit.
After spending an afternoon in the company of Yoga4Teens, I can truly say that I have never come across a teacher training manual like this one.ﾠ It is concise, informative and hugely descriptive.ﾠ As a yoga teacher I have spent many years teaching either young children or older adults, but I have always shied away from the teenage market, fearing I might not be cool enough for them! However, now that I have this book by my side, I really do feel as though I am now equipped with the answers to every question I could possibly have, and I’m now looking forward to teaching teenagers in the future.
As for the authors – Christy Brock and Jennifer Lightsey, their enthusiasm and love for teenagers comes shining through. Many, many hours must have gone into writing this guide and this really shows in the text. I think it is their passion for teaching (and for teaching teenagers in particular) that really makes this book so worthwhile.
And talking of passion for teaching, Christy has also compiled an e-book for those interested in teaching teenagers, entitled Teaching Teenagers Yoga. It is a combination of practical advice and inspirational guidance from many yoga teachers, all recalling their experiences of teaching teenagers and what has worked (and hasn’t worked) for them.ﾠ At 19.95 US dollars, it is a great addition to your bookshelves, particularly because it is an e-book so you don’t have to wait days or weeks for it to be delivered.
I’d recommend Christy’s books to anyone not only interested in teaching teenagers, but also anyone who actually has a teenager at home.ﾠ The information contained in both books is tremendous and I for one am very proud to have both manuals in my collection.
Ready To Take Action?
- Are you ready to own your copy of Yoga 4 Teens? Buy it now.
- Or, is it your time to buy an eBook, Teaching Yoga to Teenagers? Get the bargain price for both eBooks.
- Buy Volume 1-3 at once for at $24.95 savings.
- If you just want to get some content without making a purchase today, check out recent blog entries or explore All About Yoga 4 Teens.
- Lastly, be sure to sign up for the Yoga 4 Teens Newsletter to stay up to date with the latest releases.