Former Resident Creates Amusing Guide to Yoga

Former Resident Creates Amusing Guide to Yoga By Barbara Ernst

The cover to Jenny Wilker's playful guide yoga features Vera Sana, a claymation figure created by the author who which can be molded into all 52 basic yoga positions. "Vera" also adds a running commentary.

Cast aside your fear of yoga! In "Pocket Yoga: 52 basic asanas for practice at home or on the road," Jenny S. Wilker speaks through Vera Sana, experienced yogi, to produce a readable and amusing description of yoga.

Wilker is currently retired and living in Philadelphia, Penna. She lived in East Randolph, where she raised her two sons, for many years. She worked in schools as an artist in-residence, as a sign maker, at The Herald, and developed computer hardware for the Synclavier. She left Randolph to get her doctorate in art history, spent time at the Middlebury Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She is now forging ahead, with Vera, to conquer the world of yoga.

Vera is a humorous polymer clay figure created from the depths of Wilker’s abundant imagination. She is pictured demonstrating 52 yoga poses. Vera gives the Sanskrit name and pronunciation, the English nickname, and a brief description of each pose.

What makes this small (4x6") book so endearing and useful is the running commentary of Vera. Allowing Vera to speak dispels some of the intimidation barriers that those new to yoga might have. She is not a fit, pristine model. Here is little clay figure, "lumpy and imperfect," as described by Wilker, struggling with her yoga, admitting that she often falters, and encouraging yogis to work hard.

This is a funny book. Vera’s attempts to achieve the poses meet with various forms of success. Her comments describe the pose and then give a down-to-earth assessment (or reality check) reflecting the impact on her body. Vera is not too proud to describe the difficulty of some poses, the frustrations, and the long-reach in achieving some.

The book is sprinkled with entertaining dialogue: "I always feel like I am going to tip over" (pose 32); "You can also grab your toes… or you can just stare out the window at the clouds" (34); ‘I skipped (43),…too darn hard;" and …if you’re tired, you can go to sleep" (52). The ability to describe her struggle for the perfect pose with examples of realistic difficulties, makes this book accessible to all who do not see themselves as a perfect fit for the yoga experience.

The organization of the book is reader-friendly. The 52 poses are found in one of five chapters: Standing Poses, Dogs and Chats, Seated Poses, Backbends, Twists, Inversions, and Wrap-up. The book is easy to read, with descriptions and poses on double pages, large, and inviting. A list of books and videos is found in the back.

Vera’s goal is to help the yogi remember poses and learn Sanskrit expressions. Her book may give one the encouragement to try yoga. It is important to follow Wilkers’ cautionary advice. "It is not an instruction manual. You really need a good teacher to learn how to get into (and out of) each pose." Refer to the book as a quick reference.

"Pocket Yoga" makes the reader smile. One identifies with the struggles and frustrations, in an imperfect body, confronted in the hard work and fun of yoga.

Vera presents a new pose each week on her own website, www.verasanyoga.com. For more information go to jenny@vera sanayoga.com. "Pocket Yoga" is available at www.amazon.com.

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