Yoga and the Twelve-Step Path

Hawk offers a way for people in recovery from addiction to work their Twelve-Step program in a way that will enhance their physical, mental, and spiritual health: through the practice of yoga. A yoga teacher, potter, and recovering addict, Hawk has walked the walk. Twelve-Steppers and counselors, the likeliest readers of the book, should know that Hawk concentrates on explaining yoga %E2%80%93 its postures and other practices %E2%80%93 and not the steps, though her grounding in the latter is clear. Her simple walk-through the parts of a true yoga practice, which includes rules for behavior, physical exercise, and breath and meditation practices, make a basic yoga practice highly attainable. She rightly cautions that a teacher is needed to learn the physical postures; the book's instructions can be hard to follow, and there aren't many, or good, photos to illustrate. A chapter on ayurvedic health concepts seems unnecessary. The book is best for those looking to enrich their recovery by developing more physical, and mental, flexibility. (Apr. 16)