Yogalosophy: 28 Days to the Ultimate Mind-Body Makeover

by Mandy Ingber

Celebrity fitness guru Mandy Ingber reveals her health and fitness tips in this comprehensive workout plan with yoga at its core, based on her best-selling DVD Jennifer Aniston. Kate Beckinsale. Helen Hunt. Brooke Shields. In addition to their fame, these actresses share something else in they owe their enviable silhouettes to fitness expert and celebrity yoga instructor Mandy Ingber. In Yogalosophy®, Ingber-one of the most sought-after fitness and wellness advisors in Los Angeles-offers up a unique 28-day plan to help readers achieve healthier bodies and happier minds. Building on the concepts offered in Ingber's popular Yogalosophy® DVD, this handbook provides an accessible program of proven workouts and eating guidelines designed to tone and strengthen the entire body, inside and out. In addition to recipes and detailed body-sculpting workouts (which combine yoga postures with a wide range of other effective exercises), Ingber also offers up wise insights and thought-provoking anecdotes in each chapter, encouraging readers to establish a healthier, more life-embracing mindset. Full of girlfriend-y wisdom, Yogalosophy® is a realistic, flexible, daily plan that will help readers transform their minds, their bodies, and their lives.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Fitness, Reference

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2013

Reviews

[Laura Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me say that I mean absolutely no disrespect to the author with my less than satisfactory rating of this book. I love that Yogalosophy is such a body positive book that is all about loving the body you have before having the body you want.
But, and yes there is a but, I find it hard to whole heartedly believe this book with its surface body love when most of the weight loss can be pointed at extreme and expensive diet changes. I have not done extensive research but when one is already living an active life style the diet changes are astronomical and borderline ridiculous. Maybe it is just me, I am a nineteen year old who already exercises and eats well but is looking to tone up, this book is not written for me. The target audience is a more mature woman who wants to make very big lifestyle changes, I can appreciate that fact but I just can't get on board with "body positivity" that almost requires starvation.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read through the entire book first before embarking on the 28-day process - I really liked what I read, so I am excited to begin. The book features a yoga routine with poses of the day throughout the four weeks(or sometimes a special routine to fit with the day's theme), journal exercises, breathing and meditation practice, music playlists, cardio options, and three meal plans (including one that is vegan - hooray!) As someone who only recently began yoga instruction after a several-year hiatus, I can vouch that the poses are truly beginner friendly, with only a couple of more challenging poses offered.

My plan is to begin the 28 days in October, once I am done with my current workout routine. I will provide a full review throughout for those who are interested in trying yoga and committing to a month of guided practice and an overhaul of how we think and move throughout our day.

[Cosette]

I like how positive this book is. I didn't do anything it told me to do, but I took notes of all the positive statements!

[Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love!

[Analie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love yoga but didn't get into this book. It leans pretty heavily on new age spirituality and following a strict vegan diet.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific guide to beginning to incorporate a daily yoga practice into your life. The workouts are quick and low-key with options available for modifying the intensity either up or down. Each day she also includes a journaling exercise, playlist and a cardio option. Illustrations are included for all of the basic moves as well as the "moves of the day." For those with limited experience with yoga this may require watching someone execute the moves on Youtube as still photographs do have their limitations. (I'm looking at you origami instruction manuals.) Ingbar includes three variations of eating styles available (clean, lean, green.) The recipes are super simple and uber-healthy.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apart from a good description of yoga poses, including the emotional and physical benefits, there are a lot of helpful observations about life, physical activity and various approaches to both. The book gives a pleasant, warm feeling about life and yoga. There’s also a lot about food plans.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:
love the workouts - similar to my favorite PiYo
the daily exercise amount is somewhere between 60-90 min every day-- a little to extreme for the average person

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

In September I started going to Yoga classes. This is something I have wanted to start for a couple years now but never got around to it, but this year I had an opportunity and I am so happy that I did, I enjoy it so much. I was looking up books and came across Yogalosophy on my book shelf at home and began to read it. It is a 28 day challenge, each day gives you a page to a page and a half about your body and how we should be treating it. Then it gives you yoga moves of the day and one healthy recipe. The book also gives you options for eating plans during the 28 days. I read the book in 2 days, I couldn't put it down. It is so inspiring, real and true. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "The time when you are able to have the willpower to stick with something and the strength to be able to follow through and carry it out is a small window, indeed. use your energy wisely, and be full in your expression." The author is a women named Mandy Ingber, she started her career off as a fitness instructor instructing spinning classes at her local gym. All her life she had felt like an outsider until she was asked to lead a class and from then on connecting with people and helping them achieve their goals became her motive. She then began to teach yoga and has never looked back. She is very inspirational with her writing, she explains that in yoga you compete with yourself and once i finished reading the book I had a new perspective on what I am capable of. Some examples of the chapters are, setting short terms goals. These are goals were you can see the finish line, this makes it much more reasonable and motivational. Think your way thin, it is all about how you see yourself. She explains that everyone is already perfect, you are unique and you should learn to embrace it. If you happen to want to change something about yourself do it, there is nothing stopping you but always be positive with yourself. She also talks about how breathing is the most important thing in yoga and the importance of meditation. When you meditate you are suppose to visualize, you can visualize and memory, your favorite place or where ever makes you happy. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys yoga or would like to start. It is a very relaxing read and I would even like do the yoga moves for 28 days.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know about this being the "ultimate" mind-body makeover, especially in 28 days, but this is an easy to read and understand book for someone interested in yoga and who doesn't know where to start. I began my yoga journey with something similar over 30 years ago: Yoga Twenty-eight Day Exercise Plan.

What I really liked about this book is that Ms. Ingber combines asana with journaling, meditation, and three different food plans. She stresses the importance of expressing gratitude, too. On the physical side, she also emphasizes the importance of cardio. I like that it's a fairly comprehensive plan to reboot one's life, and in a very healthy way.

This is the kind of book I would give to a friend who's interested in yoga, but doesn't want to venture to a yoga class. I would also give that person a really good beginner yoga DVD, too, so they could follow along and understand the importance of alignment during asana.

Although doing asana along with a book is not my preferred way of practicing yoga, I do think this book is great for someone who is new to yoga and wants to incorporate more than the physical practice of it.

Although there is some Hollywood name dropping, it's not obnoxious. I get it - she's trying to sell books. More than likely, her publisher or editor told her to include it. After all, if she weren't Jennifer Aniston's "yoga teacher," I don't know that she would have been on my yoga radar. Overall, Ms. Ingber comes across as someone you see as a friend - fun, supportive, caring and passionate about life.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Goodreads giveaway. I liked learning yoga from the book better than the yoga DVD I bought. It is more descriptive and is visual, as well. I loved the author's anecdotes. I really enjoy many of the yoga moves.
I didn't like the lack of a glossary of terms for those of us yoga beginners. Perhaps, I need a book titled Yoga for Idiots. The good news is most of it was easy to understand with the exception of a few words that were repeated more than once. I didn't care for the menu options, not because I am unwilling to eat healthy or try new foods. I just can't afford the time to cook new recipes and especially the money. I also needed more than 30 days because I had to learn the moves and motivate myself to do the hard moves.
I will continue to use the book as a reference, and I have been teaching my four year old son yoga.
Thanks for giving me a copy of this wonderful book. The pictures were very helpful.

[emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really loving this book. I have wanted a yoga book that's neither bizarre nor boring, that gives me a good workout. This one is special-- it's part workout, part lifestyle, part devotional [type thing].

The lifestyle isn't huge shift, nor is it too hard... I guess unless you already eat unhealthy. In fact I didn't have to change anything I think?

The workout is amazing. Really quick and the individual exercises are simple and easy, but altogether it is hard. Hard but doable and you will feel it! You'll be sore and tired but not so much that you feel like dying. The workout is the coolest idea. Each exercise begins with a yoga pose that is held for eight breaths. It transitions into a motion (such as a crunch, a bend, a kick) that kicks butt.

Loving this.

[Heidi Jeanine]

Mandy Ingber uses yoga every day to promote self growth, and healing for yourself. The moves tend to lean a little more towards Pilates, than any specific type of yoga, but it's good if you would like to start feeling a little bit healthier each day. Ingber adds every day activities, like journaling, listening to music and cardio exercise in addition to the yoga as a form of self healing. Ingber adds a personalized diet plan to follow for the 28 days, one you get to pick!
All in all Yogalopsophy, the 28 day make-up is a good way to start if your looking for a healthy new year's resolution but you've gotta keep doing it even after the 28 days if you want real results.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes Yoga easy. Whether you don't have time or the extra cash to sign up for a yoga class then this book is for you. Mandy breaks everything down to make it simple. It does get harder as you go but she doesn't just throw you into it. She has play list to listen to as you workout and food plans too. I love the step by step pictures to let you know if you're doing it right or need to alter your form. I won this book in the Goodreads Giveaway and I am glad I did. I need to work out but just don't like to so this is an enjoyable way to do that.

[Rana Kadry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can say this book changed my life! It was my first time ever to read about yoga...such an amazing journey.. the yogalosophy 28 days routine.. What was a challenge in the beginning became a pleasant daily workout.. Through that journey I explored new insights of the body, mind, emotions.. Ah, and new healthy meals as well. The book is funny, easy, inspiring.. Just want to say a big thank you to @mandyingber for sharing your experiences and for the tutoring. I ended up not only learning about yoga but about how to love ourself, our life and our body as it is.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read about this woman and her internal growth from being so beaten down and feeling so low to where she is today and not being athletic at ALL, it was this part that attracted me to read this. I really enjoyed it - I am not sure if I could ever get to where she is physically or food-wise today, but I did enjoy reading about it and as I move a long with my CRAZY hard weight loss, I did decide that this winter I might take, if it is available a VERY VERY beginners yoga class........

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with some good practical advice. I need to get my workout routine started again and so am going with her 28 day challenge to do that and kick off the new year.

I also like the practical diet options; it could be more extensive as mentioned by another reviewer, but I'm at a point where I want to stop obsessing about whether I should eat this or not eat that and ... well, just do something!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been practicing with the Yogalosophy DVD for years so I was very excited to read this book. It didn't disappoint. Mandy has a wonderfully fun, insightful, intelligent way of describing her approach to yoga, diet and lifestyle. Her personal experiences were enlightening to read. I really enjoyed reading one day at a time and trying to soak in the intention and practice for each day. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to make positive life changes.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent. a co-worker turned me on to this book and dvd because she knows I'm a huge yoga practitioner. we're beginning this plan along with ingber's dvd in January and I'm super excited to start! and I think I'm going to try plan #3, vegan. fingers crossed I have the willpower!

first read in December 2013
re-read January-February 2014
re-read April through July 2015

[Kelly Braunel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very inspirational to me. It's a very realistic book to live by with realistic diets which were not even mandatory to follow. I love Mandy not because she is a celebrity trainer but because she loves to teach is healthy but fun lifestyles to live by.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really great book. Mandy gives you a playlist to listen to every day. There is one pose a day and it is different everyday that you are doing. If you are new or want to take it slow this is the book for you. I have her workout dvd Yogalosophy, and I can't wait to try it.

[Caridad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate the way it's written, feels like a friend is talking to you and walking you through the thought process. I love the journal starters, gratitude list, her playlists.... Love her style!

[Jennifer Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of really good poses shown step by step with very clear photos. A great philosophy of a way to live to reduce stress and bring balance to your life. If only I could apply this to my stress ball of an existence.....

[Faith Tydings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book so much that I bought it so that I could mark in it and, of course, keep it forever! There is a lot of content in the book that I don't know I can accomplish in 28 days but it's definitely worth a try and, maybe, stretch it out over more days. I'm excited to give it a go...

[Carmen]

Recommended by Chelsea Handler

[Jill Hubbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I use the DVD this book is based on often. I find her motivating, and practical. This workout makes sense and works.

[Shelley Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I followed the 28 day plan and not only did the tension I've been feeling in my shoulders go away but I lost 9.6 pounds.

[Emily Kestrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven't really followed the plan yet, though I intend to try her exercises. Looks inspiring. The menus don't seem appealing, though, so I don't think I'll do that part.

[Ju · Rating 4 out of 5]

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