The old stereotype of the emaciated yogi with an intense stare is out. But if it’s been replaced by an emaciated supermodel in a snazzy leotard, is that progress? Luckily, media images aren’t all, and millions of North Americans have discovered yoga as a practice adaptable to different physical types, cultures, and religions. In I Love Yoga, B.C.-based author and former teacher Ellen Schwartz touches on the new popularity of yoga, listing celebrities who practise it, but she places more emphasis on its non-competitive, individualized, and meditative aspects.

The format is similar to that of Schwartz’s I’m a Vegetarian, comprising quotes from kids, lists of facts, and question-and-answer sections that address common misconceptions about the subject. There is a general introduction to the history of yoga with an overview of its benefits, and sections on breathing, asanas (postures), and relaxation. Even considering this breadth of scope, the philosophy was a bit thin, lacking, for instance, any mention of the eight-limb system of classical yoga with its ethical base. My only other quibble is with the asana section, which sets out a practice sequence without offering any rationale for the choice of postures or their order, and in which the illustrations should have been more prominent. In general, the instructions are safety-oriented, and there is a brief chapter on adapting the poses to special needs. I would not recommend that the book be used in place of regular, formalized instruction – but then, neither, it seems, would the author. This is less a how-to book than an upbeat introduction to yoga, well designed to spark the interest of kids and teens.