The Forgotten Body: A Way of Knowing and Understanding Self

by Elissa Cobb

In a culture where many have become accustomed to looking outside of themselves for guidance, The Forgotten Body offers readers an opportunity to turn inside for the answers to questions about life and self. The author, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Program Director, shares the wisdom and insight garnered from her own journey of self-actualization that led her to the realization that mastery of one's mind can be most effectively attained through the rediscovery of one's physical body. With her own personal truths used as examples of the body's powers of wisdom, she urges readers to take them just as they are; her own truth, not the truth. The text follows a ground up approach beginning with the use of one's body as a foundation for self-discovery and proceeds skyward, leading the reader along a path that many will find parallel to their own life journeys. The Forgotten Body is not a rulebook or a rigid doctrine. It is simply a guide to the rediscovery of the simple and profound truths of one's own body.

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2008

Reviews

[Phoebe]

I know the author of this book. She takes you on her own personal journey, encouraging you along the way to join her. Her frame of reference is her solo hike on the Vermont Long Trail (300 miles of very rough terrain) the hike provides many metaphors and lif lessons.

[Heather Fryling]

Elissa frames a profound knowing with her own story of self discovery. This book is infinitely quotable, highly recommended.

[Heather]

I would give it 4.5 stars.

I loved a lot of what this book had to offer about learning to listen to your body... particularly bringing up that we tend to view ourselves as an external being within a machine we call our body.

The only complaint I had was that I felt it was stumping for a specific type of Yoga Therapy too much, which detracts from the validity of the claims (in my point of view). That said, I value this book enough to get my own copy eventually, because I don't want to forget the messages and help it gave me.

[Teri]

I found this a bit difficult to follow. Not exactly what I was hoping for.

[elissa]

Can't remember where I heard about this one, but I like that she has "my" name. :) Not at DCPL.