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Empowered Aging: Everyday Yoga Practices for Bone Health, Strength and Balance
by Ellen Saltonstall

Ellen Saltonstall brings her insights on healthy aging to a new book that helps older people take up the ancient practice to build muscle, bone strength and confidence in their physical abilities in the comfort of their own homes.

“I have seen repeatedly that fear of pain or injury can be overcome and we can maintain a healthy, active lifestyle, even if there are restrictions,” Saltonstall writes. “Yoga is the perfect methodology to counter aging because it’s adaptable to different needs. It is a living tradition with deep roots in the past but also constantly evolving along with modern life.”

Empowered Aging provides detailed descriptions of yoga exercises that are accessible to newcomers. There are warm-ups, gentle yoga poses, and balance exercises, plus more for those who are ready. Saltonstall also describes exercises with an emphasis on adjustments for aging, particularly regarding osteoporosis and osteopenia.

“Ellen Saltonstall is one of New York City’s and the world’s best yoga teachers for students of all ages, abilities, and experience.   Her vast knowledge of yoga, movement, massage, anatomy, and yoga therapeutics is on display in Empowered Aging for those new to yoga or for anyone looking for insight into body/mind integration and aging gracefully.   Ellen’s love for yoga and for the human spirit’s potential shines through these pages. I’ve been practicing with Ellen for a decade.  Her authoritative voice rings out in the text, and I am transported to her studio once again.  What a blessing!” — Louise DesjardinsCYT Kripalu, Corepower and Restorative Yoga 

Published on January 2, 2024, by Emerald Lake Books

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The Bodymind Ballwork Method: A Self-Directed Practice to Help You Move with Ease, Release Tension, and Relieve Chronic Pain
by Ellen Saltonstall

Release stress and tension in the body using only simple rubber balls with this accessible, step-by-step guide to a bodywork system that can benefit people of any age or physical condition, developed by a top yoga and bodywork teacher.

“This book is a fantastic contribution to the bodymind oriented field. It not only presents very well described practical self-help exercises, but also gives a profound background for it. A joy to read and to apply!”  
— Dr. Robert Schleip, Director, Fascia Research Group, Ulm University, author of several books on fascia including Fascial Fitness, Fascia in Sport and Movement, and Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body.

The Bodymind Ballwork Method is an accessible guide to the method developed by yoga and bodywork teacher Ellen Saltonstall–a self-directed, gentle practice to help people release tension and move with ease. The Bodymind Ballwork Method features the use of rubber balls in a range of sizes to support, massage, and stretch the body in specific places, with clear instructions for techniques from head to toes. With 70 black and white photos and 25 drawings to illustrate techniques and concepts, the author offers exercises for the spine, head, neck, face, abdomen, ribs, shoulders, arms, hands, pelvis, thighs, knees, lower legs, and feet. An integrative body-mind practice, Bodymind Ballwork works to relieve soft tissue pain as well as emotional stress and trauma, and is also designed to empower individuals to maintain their own health and mobility in connection with any ongoing physical activity they do.

Read the review from Foreword Reviews. Click here.

Anatomy and Yoga: A Guide for Teachers and Students
by Ellen Saltonstall

Anatomy and Yoga: A Guide for Teachers and Students is a valuable resource for yoga practitioners who are curious about what happens in the body as they practice yoga. Structures of the body—muscles, bones, joints, nerves and connective tissue—are described in a user-friendly style, with short, interactive practice sessions to bring the information alive in the moment. The rapidly growing yoga community needs this essential knowledge of biomechanics, especially in yoga teacher training programs. (Published by Abhyasa Press, 2016)

To read more, click here.

“Anatomy of Yoga is a treasure trove of discovery for anyone interested in exploring the deep intelligence of the body. With compassion, encouragement and humor, Ellen Saltonstall has created a book, rich with the potential for learning anatomy that makes complexity graspable through explicit diagrams and down to earth examples. “
– Florence Meleo-Meyer, MS, MA, University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Mindfulness, Healthcare and Society

Available in both print & e-book versions.

E-book version can be purchased here:
Kindle
iTunes
Kobo

You may also purchase this title on Amazon.com.

Please use this ISBN to locate and purchase this title outside of the United States: 978-0-9978561-3-2

To order multiple printed copies of this book for your next teacher training, click on the BUY NOW button below, and enter this promo code at checkout for a special bulk discount on orders of 10 or more:  Bodywise2017

Yoga for Arthritis
co-authored with Dr. Loren Fishman

Comprehensive yet easy to follow, this book presents the definitive medical program for the management and prevention of arthritis.  Beginning with background chapters on the physiology of arthritis and the practice of yoga, the book takes the reader step by step through the postures that can make their joints feel better. There is a chapter and yoga sequence for each area of the body. Scientifically erudite yet approachable, Yoga for Arthritis is an unparalleled resource for yoga beginners and veterans alike. (published by WW Norton, 2008)

“This well-researched book uses the lens of science to reveal how yoga can alleviate the suffering of arthritis. It puts into the reader’s hands a powerful tool for healing.”
— Betsey Downing, yoga instructor

Yoga for Osteoporosis
co-authored with Dr. Loren Fishman

In this book we explain the science of osteoporosis in layperson’s language. We offer three sets of yoga postures, each targeting a part of the body at risk for osteoporosis damage or fracture. Each pose has variations, one for those with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, one for those with a diagnosis of osteopenia (the precursor to osteoporosis), and one for prevention. The instructions are clear and concise, allowing anyone to safely strengthen their bones with yoga. (published by WW Norton, 2010)

“Masterful and practical. The science behind osteoporosis is presented clearly, empowering readers to make their own choices. The adaption of yoga poses is ingenious; safe, thoroughly instructed, and documented with excellent photos.”
— Swami Ramananda, Integral Yoga Institute

BALLS

Bodymind Ballwork Expanded Set
$78.00 – $85.00

This set is recommended for those taking online classes with Ellen, since it includes a variety of sizes and textures for a full practice.  Two 5″ inflatable playground balls, two 4.5″ inflatable Easy Grips, two 3″ white baseballs, two yellow Togu balls, two LOVE balls, one 1.5″ spikey ball, one Drop Dot ball, one 2″ freeball. This set allows you to work on all areas of your body. Ball colors vary. Optional pump for adjusting inflatable balls.

Bodymind Ballwork Basic Set
$46.00 – $54.00

Two Easy Grip 5″ inflatable balls, two 3” baseballs, two LOVE balls, one Drop Dot, one 1.5” spikey ball, one 2″ hollow rubber freeball. This set allows you to work on all parts of your body. Ball colors will vary in each set. Optional pump for adjusting inflatable balls.

5″ Playground Ball
$7.00

An essential basic for neck, spine and chest, front of hips, abdomen and iliopsoas, knees, inner thighs. Colors vary.

4″ Spikey Ball
$4.00

A useful medium size ball, less intrusive for those who prefer gentler pressure on the neck, front chest, ribs, spine, shoulders, outer thighs, front thighs and ankles. With a standard ball pump you can vary this ball to be firm or soft. Colors vary.

3″ Solid Baseballs
$4.00

Excellent deep massage for the shoulders, spine, buttocks, lower legs, lower arms. Comparable to a tennis ball but more durable and has a grippy surface.

2.5″ Hollow rubber LOVE ball
$4.00

This ball fits into so many good spots, especially the feet, spine, buttocks, lower legs, lower arms. It is gentler than the baseball and the lacrosse ball because it is hollow.

4″ Inflatable balls
$5.00

A useful medium size ball, less intrusive for those who prefer gentler pressure and a smooth surface.  For the neck, front chest, ribs, spine, shoulders, outer thighs, front thighs and ankles. With a standard ball pump you can vary this ball to be firm or soft. Colors vary.

1.5″ Spikey ball
$9.00

Intensive and effective massage for the hands, feet, deltoids.

1″ Gel ball
$3.00

For those who prefer a smooth surface, this ball is great for hands and feet and toes. Colors vary.

2.5″ Hollow rubber freeball
$4.00

Small and gentle, this ball is perfect for facial massage, and gentle massage on the hands and feet. Colors vary.

2.5″ Rainbow Sponge Ball
$4.00

A slightly smaller version of the baseball, with fun colors and a grippy surface. Useful for the shoulders, spine, buttocks, lower legs and lower arms.

9″ Football
$7.00

Very popular for the neck, back and ribs. Colors vary.

4.5″ Easy Grip
$7.00

Comparable to the playground ball but with bumps and a bit smaller size. Useful for the neck, spine, ribs, front of hips, abdomen and iliopsoas, knees, and inner thighs.  6 colors

Drop dot ball
$3.00

Just the right size for the hands and feet, with a bit of texture and bright fun colors.

Togu Red, Yellow & Blue
$10.00- $12.00

Togu yellow, Togu red and Togu blue – Multi-purpose balls in three sizes, excellent quality, perfect for the spine, shoulders, arms and legs