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I Hate Yoga: And Why You'll Hate to Love it Too
I Hate Yoga poses an intriguing How is it possible to become so disenchanted with an age-old activity that historically offers so much healing and serenity? Sadly, even yoga can fall prey to the dark influences of western society.
Social media, a bad boy guru, religion, competitive yoga and "a multiplying spawn of self-righteous yoga knowers" are just a few of the culprits that are scrutinized in showing that yoga has lost its path. But it's not too late to put it back on the Buddha-bus to paradise. How? With an exorcism that humorously and earnestly rids yoga of its imposed impurities.
Then, as author Paul McQuillan explains, "Once we have cathartically performed our ugly yoga striptease and thrown down each garment of bogus credibility and confusion, we will then focus on watching the Yoga-Phoenix rise from the ashes...this will take place only after the affectations surrounding yoga have been laid bare and exposed as nothing more than a societal red herring, distracting us from the beauty of a profoundly beneficial art form."
Such a transformational journey doesn't happen easily, but once it begins, you may just find that there is an unlikely and surprising You.
Social media, a bad boy guru, religion, competitive yoga and "a multiplying spawn of self-righteous yoga knowers" are just a few of the culprits that are scrutinized in showing that yoga has lost its path. But it's not too late to put it back on the Buddha-bus to paradise. How? With an exorcism that humorously and earnestly rids yoga of its imposed impurities.
Then, as author Paul McQuillan explains, "Once we have cathartically performed our ugly yoga striptease and thrown down each garment of bogus credibility and confusion, we will then focus on watching the Yoga-Phoenix rise from the ashes...this will take place only after the affectations surrounding yoga have been laid bare and exposed as nothing more than a societal red herring, distracting us from the beauty of a profoundly beneficial art form."
Such a transformational journey doesn't happen easily, but once it begins, you may just find that there is an unlikely and surprising You.
180 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 20, 2014
I have heard many people criticise yoga over the years as it has grown in popularity. Mostly because something that was once a very pure way to help people keep fit without needing lots of gym equipment has become lost amongst the trends, fads and add-ons that people feel are necessary to add to anything in order to “westernize” it.
I Hate Yoga is a wonderful summarisation of this frustration that many feel - presented in a delightfully humorous fashion. Looking at the many flaws and faults that what we see as yoga and the lifestyle that goes with it, I Hate Yoga separates the true principles and teachings of Yoga from the dross that so many cling to as “essential elements” which really have nothing to do with it at all.
I loved how funny this book was, even though the points it raises and addresses are a serious condemnation of how ridiculous western society is when it comes to embracing other cultures and how principles can so easily become corrupted by external influences.
This book isn’t merely a tome of complaints about what we as a western society have done to yoga; it also presents arguments for how we can atone for our sins and very effectively restores yoga to a purer state, and leaves you with ideas about other aspects of society that should receive the same treatment.
I Hate Yoga is funny and instructional, perfect for any that really want to enjoy the practice of yoga without all the extra faff and bumf that currently accompanies. After all, there are many benefits to yoga that anyone can access and you don’t need wheat grass tea and rice cakes to be consumed every thirty seconds to in order to improve your well-being.
A great book that should be read by all that currently practice yoga – what it has to say will change what you do and the way you do it!
I Hate Yoga is a wonderful summarisation of this frustration that many feel - presented in a delightfully humorous fashion. Looking at the many flaws and faults that what we see as yoga and the lifestyle that goes with it, I Hate Yoga separates the true principles and teachings of Yoga from the dross that so many cling to as “essential elements” which really have nothing to do with it at all.
I loved how funny this book was, even though the points it raises and addresses are a serious condemnation of how ridiculous western society is when it comes to embracing other cultures and how principles can so easily become corrupted by external influences.
This book isn’t merely a tome of complaints about what we as a western society have done to yoga; it also presents arguments for how we can atone for our sins and very effectively restores yoga to a purer state, and leaves you with ideas about other aspects of society that should receive the same treatment.
I Hate Yoga is funny and instructional, perfect for any that really want to enjoy the practice of yoga without all the extra faff and bumf that currently accompanies. After all, there are many benefits to yoga that anyone can access and you don’t need wheat grass tea and rice cakes to be consumed every thirty seconds to in order to improve your well-being.
A great book that should be read by all that currently practice yoga – what it has to say will change what you do and the way you do it!
November 15, 2014
I've been doing yoga for almost fifteen years.
I've seen many changes to the practice.
The most controversial form for me is "hot yoga" and the dogma that having a studio set to 102 degrees "cleans out your toxins."
That said, it's getting harder in my vicinity to find non hot yoga classes,which I prefer because, I have no problem working up a sweat at room temperature.
There are variances to non hot yoga too such as Iyengar to power yoga, but to me those are fine.
Anyway, the author who teaches yoga writes an insightful book on the practice. It is unlike your normal yoga book, the title is even hilarious.
I know I hate the pigeon pose, love the tree and boat pose though,but I digress.
The bastardization of the Western yoga movement is enough to make the Zen masters in India cringe.
McQuillan's book is very well written and it flows nicely. No pun intended.
I've seen many changes to the practice.
The most controversial form for me is "hot yoga" and the dogma that having a studio set to 102 degrees "cleans out your toxins."
That said, it's getting harder in my vicinity to find non hot yoga classes,which I prefer because, I have no problem working up a sweat at room temperature.
There are variances to non hot yoga too such as Iyengar to power yoga, but to me those are fine.
Anyway, the author who teaches yoga writes an insightful book on the practice. It is unlike your normal yoga book, the title is even hilarious.
I know I hate the pigeon pose, love the tree and boat pose though,but I digress.
The bastardization of the Western yoga movement is enough to make the Zen masters in India cringe.
McQuillan's book is very well written and it flows nicely. No pun intended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews