Millions of Americans know yoga as a superb form of exercise and as a potent source of calm in our stress-filled lives. Far fewer are aware of the ...
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Sep 10, 2010
David
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I picked this book up on a whim because I have been doing yoga and reading up on it, and I was intrigued by the title. Cope is a therapist who want to Kripalu (a yoga center in Western Massachusetts) and basically never left. He writes very well, and tells a lot of stories. There was something about the book I found vaguely annoying, maybe all the upper middle class angst of many of the people he was talking about. There was also a lot more psychiatric jargon than I was interested in; I'm no
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Jul 17, 2010
Janet
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This was a fascinating book which combined personal experience with an in-depth discussion of the various levels of yoga: mental, physical, spiritual -- even social. Cope tells the story of his decision to spend four months in an intensive yoga lifestyle retreat at the Kripalu Yoga Center, and how those four months turned into decades.
As someone who has practiced yoga off and on for quite a while, I appreciated the way he was able to get beyond the surface and discuss the deeper pro More...
As someone who has practiced yoga off and on for quite a while, I appreciated the way he was able to get beyond the surface and discuss the deeper pro More...
Sep 07, 2011
Ill Lily
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Although I haven't read too many books on the subject of yoga, I have a feeling this account is rather unique. As a Westerner and psychologist, Stephen Cope helps like-minded people understand the history, exploration, and integration of yoga in a modern world. His personal accounts aren't relegated to the enlightened, and I rather enjoyed the analyzations of his interpersonal relationships. While this approach could have veered too far from the subject matter, I found he kept my interest and
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Sep 09, 2010
Before becoming a teacher there, this dude was lucky (and, presumably, rich) enough to spend an enviable amount of time at Kripalu in the Berkshires - one of my dream destinations - while on hiatus from his day job as a psychotherapist. His clinical perspective brings a degree of practical perspective to an intensive spiritual practice, and I appreciate his frequent moments of skeptical candor. Still and all, it's sometimes difficult to stay with the stories he tells of psychological suffering
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Oct 20, 2010
Sarah
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This book fuses the best of eastern wisdom with the best of western wisdom, the highlight of which is doing away with the dualism that has for so long been present in both eastern and western thought. Yoga is the merger between mind and body, pain and pleasure, everyday experiences and spiritual experiences, and all other supposed paradoxes. Furthermore, readers are encouraged to view yoga not as a stagnant practice, but as an ever-evolving practice which is very much influenced by history and
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Jul 08, 2010
Rochelle
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When I started to read this book I was skeptical. Many people try very hard to either "psychologize" spirituality, or "spiritualize" psychology. It is normal I guess in our "have it all, popular culture." I feared that, in his enthusiasm for a newly minted perspective, Cope was doing just that. Although his framework is decidedly East-coast, psychotherapist, white upper-class, gay male, with all of the historically and socially privileged angst this package carries
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Nov 15, 2008
Natali
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I bought this book in 2004 when I was a full-time yoga teacher. Unfortunately, I could not get beyond the first two chapters. Although I liked the author and his writing style, the message did not resound with me when I was 26 years old.
I don't know what prompted me to try to read this again, four years later, but I'm really glad that I did. Cope is a gifted writer and this book is a clever juxtaposition of Eastern and Western philosophy. He uses literature, science, and pop culture More...
I don't know what prompted me to try to read this again, four years later, but I'm really glad that I did. Cope is a gifted writer and this book is a clever juxtaposition of Eastern and Western philosophy. He uses literature, science, and pop culture More...
Sep 08, 2010
Maybe this is just the wrong time for this book. I just finished Eat Pray Love which, while it is not a "how to" on yoga, it is a much better read and much more to the point on transcendental meditation---which is what I was looking for.
While some might find his story behind why he got into yoga interesting, I really just wanted a book on taking yoga and meditation practice to the next level. I find when he is trying to create "the story" of the book, his writi More...
While some might find his story behind why he got into yoga interesting, I really just wanted a book on taking yoga and meditation practice to the next level. I find when he is trying to create "the story" of the book, his writi More...
Aug 16, 2010
Jacqueline
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I read this after reading Devotion by Dani Shapiro and was touched at both his earnestness and his revelation that it really isn't all that in the end. We work so hard to reach some spiritual space when really it is as simple as sitting with frogs near a pond. The book goes into great detail about Hindu and yoga philosophy as well as the psychology from the West and yoga perspective. Very interesting - although it often felt like reading a text book. His personal narrative was easily absorbed.
Mar 17, 2009
Jules
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As a clinician who is looking to integrate yoga into trauma work I was quite disappointed in this read. A very personal experience with little practical advice. Furthermore, the personal experience is far removed from my reality as a middle working class Latina who has little access to the opportunities presented to the author of the book. As a clinical alternative, I'd suggest text by Moyer or Van der Kolk.
Jun 10, 2009
Alexandra
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This is the book that first set me on the yogic path. The author, a psychologist, dancer and musician, charts his own voyage into yoga and brings Western and Eastern psychology and teachings into relationship. Forget "power yoga" and it's body obsessed brethren that are more offshoots of Jane Fonda and feeling the burn, and discover what the union of Yoga is really about.
Oct 17, 2009
Michele
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Excellent account of author's exploration of yogic philosophy and lifestyle. Approaching the spectrum of yoga with healthy doses of openness and skepticism, Cope defines the True Self and the Real in accessible language and places in the context of contemporary Western life.
Jun 06, 2011
Susan
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A fabulous, mind-altering look at both the eastern and western approaches to physical and psychological healing. Dr. Cope's writing is engaging and entertaining as well as deeply inspiring. I savored every word of this book and look forward to reading more.
Nov 25, 2011
Jen
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As someone who has visited Kripalu for many years, I loved Stephen's book because it clarified not only bits and pieces of various yogic practices for me, but also filled in a lot of gaps about the history of the place I love so much!
Jul 01, 2010
Jules
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The writing style and the content detailing various aspects of the mind-body connection engaged me. I found myself truly enjoying reading the book which allowed for me to better absorb the material.
Jan 07, 2011
Julia
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really enjoyed this read - a little bit deep if you dont have much knowledge about yoga - but for anyone in a teacher training or any yoga teacher it is definetly worth while picking it up!
Dec 29, 2010
Michelle
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One of my favorite yoga reads. The author's personal stories weaved into experiences he's witnessed at Kripalu and his own psychology background makes this an important read for any yogi.
Jul 24, 2011
Matthew
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Really interesting synthesis of yogic philosophy with Western psychology. A little bit dry and repetitive, and the group he's involved with sounds more than a little culty...
Jan 14, 2010
Lisa
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At first I liked this book less than Cope's The Wisdom of Yoga. It's not as perfectly clearly or engagingly written. But as I went on, I found that in some ways it was deeper than Wisdom and more powerful. I recommend them both.
Oct 07, 2010
This is the sort of book that I will return to again and again, finding sweet nuggets that I didn't notice the first time. I believe it will age well along with me!
Jul 29, 2010
Megan
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I was worried that this book would be all Kumbaya and chanting, as are some yoga books....however, Stephen Cope is by trade a psychoanalyst, and as a result this book was the right mix of Eastern spirituality combined with Western psychology, which when you see the two together, are not really that different. borrowed this book from the library, but I may have to buy it so I can highlight and underline to my heart's content.
Apr 13, 2009
Kris
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fantastic. so insightful, probably the best self helf book Ive ever read (besides readical acceptance by tara brach).
Sep 08, 2007
Jennifer
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I picked up this book because I had scheduled an interview with the author and wanted to know what he was all about. I didn't finish it before my interview, but I kept reading.
Cope tackles the complex and difficult philosophies of yoga and makes them understandable to an American audience. He uses his own experience as well as experiences of people he knows to illustrate what are often abstract, difficult concepts.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is intereste More...
Cope tackles the complex and difficult philosophies of yoga and makes them understandable to an American audience. He uses his own experience as well as experiences of people he knows to illustrate what are often abstract, difficult concepts.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is intereste More...
Jan 01, 2010
Tracy
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One of my first introductions to yogic philosophy. An accessible book that lead me to want to know more.
Mar 16, 2009
Liv
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By far the most accessible and well written book about yoga that I've read. Approaches the subject with a lot of skepticism and curiosity, and then addresses questions fully. I love it.
Jun 20, 2010
Mike
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Beautiful, life-changing, and cynical enough to satisfy my concerns with the title. Anyone interested in any kind of spiritual journey (not just yogic) will appreciate this likable, stirring psychologist's memoir.
