All photos by me.

Our consumerist culture has provided endless opportunities to spend money on yoga-related stuff: from books to dvds, yoga mats to Groupon coupons for local studios, Toe Sox to online subscription services that let you watch yoga videos... the list goes on and on.

You may find yourself asking: which items are worth my money?

Here's one: Tara Stiles' new book, Yoga Cures.

Obviously I do a fair amount of posting on Alive in the Fire about products I think are wonderful, and brands I support. I do my best to only write about yoga-related items and/or items that I love wholeheartedly -- products I use, and would recommend to family members or friends.

This book is definitely something I'm excited to talk about. :)

Here's why: Tara has accomplished something big here: she's found creative, simple ways to make yoga approachable for a lot of people, young or old, beginner or advanced. Throughout Yoga Cures, you'll find easy-to-read, step-by-step instructions on what postures to use to heal the bodies in different ways.

And the applications are so darn practical: whether you need yoga moves for tight hamstrings or a sore lower back, or you're feeling depressed or anxious, Tara's book has you covered.

I really appreciate that Tara spends a good portion of the introduction giving the reader a solid foundation. She discusses:

Yoga's seven big benefits (physical, mental, psychological, neurological, intuitive, creative, and connected)
A definition of yoga, including the eight limbs
A brief history of yoga
Why observing without judgment and being present to the moment are essential to the practice (how it's not just about the physical postures)
How to develop a realistic approach to committing to yoga
How to stay safe with alignment, attention & relaxation

And then, she dives right in.

The "Cures, from A to Z" chapter comprises most of Yoga Cures, starting with simple sun salutations and providing asana routines for relief from a wide variety of pain-causing problems (migraines, shin splints, and even sugar cravings!).

I highly recommend picking up this book. Maybe you're suffering with acne or allergies. Or your high blood pressure or hot flashes have been acting up lately, and you're sick of making appointments to see your doctor. If you travel a lot, or tend to feel lazy and lethargic, or you are overweight or obese, this book can help.

Yoga Cures is a great starting point. It won't turn you into a master yogi overnight, but it will bring you back to the basics and help you conquer a wide variety of common ailments. Even if you're an advanced yogi and have been practicing for years, I bet there's something you haven't learned tucked away in the pages of this book.

And let's be honest, all of us could use a routine that helps us "chill the *&@# out," as Tara says, and that's what she's developed in Yoga Cures.

Happy reading, all!