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Body Mindful Yoga: Create a Powerful and Affirming Relationship with Your Body
Deepen Your Relationship with Your Body Transform negative words, thoughts, and beliefs into personal empowerment with the unique approach found in Body Mindful Yoga . Combining insightful Yoga philosophies and simple Yoga practices with the power of language to improve body image, this book's inspiring guidance will empower you to move through the world with an attitude that radiates self-confidence. Open your eyes to how words affect your body image using four Body Mindful Listen, Learn, Love, and Live. These steps lead to amazing insights through practical techniques, hands-on exercises, and yoga practices. The latter two steps encourage active practice as you improve your inner dialogue and your interactions with others. You will also learn how to apply the teachings and yoga practices of this book to your daily life and continue your personal Body Mindful Yoga journey.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
240 pages, Paperback
Published November 8, 2018
13 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Robert Butera
14 books2 followersRobert Butera, MDiv, PhD (Devon, PA), founded YogaLife Institute in Pennsylvania, where he trains yoga teachers and Comprehensive Yoga Therapists. Robert's PhD at CA Institute of Integral Studies focused on Yoga Therapy.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 29, 2018
'Body image is a perception and not fact.' Most everyone, especially women, can remember at least one thing that was said to them by another that was believed, internalized, and perhaps came to affect their self image in a destructive way. Next time you're with a group of friends, listen for how often negative self-talk enters into the conversation.
'Change your language to heal your relationship with your body.' This book examines words, deeply held societal ideals and assumptions and how they affect the mind, body and spirit. Some of these words come from friends and family, some come from the media, which pushes a false ideal of beauty.
Take a step in the direction of weeding out those harmful thoughts and images by examining them through workbook questions and journaling. Then begin to set goals and intentions for a new healthier, body mindful way of living, such as: 'My intention is to find the courage to try new things.' What a great way to start out the new year! There are also a number of yoga poses presented to encourage self-love and nurturing of the body.
'Never underestimate the power of the words we choose and use. We wield power. Let's choose our words consciously and wisely. Let's wield our words as swords of light and good.'
'Body mindfulness is to purposely choose words that nurture self-validation and affirm your body in self-talk and conversations with others.'
This is a book that I think it will be beneficial to return to frequently to perhaps rework the exercises as thoughts arise and refresh the spirit.
I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review. I think it is an important read to achieve self-acceptance in a society with so much body-shaming.
'Change your language to heal your relationship with your body.' This book examines words, deeply held societal ideals and assumptions and how they affect the mind, body and spirit. Some of these words come from friends and family, some come from the media, which pushes a false ideal of beauty.
Take a step in the direction of weeding out those harmful thoughts and images by examining them through workbook questions and journaling. Then begin to set goals and intentions for a new healthier, body mindful way of living, such as: 'My intention is to find the courage to try new things.' What a great way to start out the new year! There are also a number of yoga poses presented to encourage self-love and nurturing of the body.
'Never underestimate the power of the words we choose and use. We wield power. Let's choose our words consciously and wisely. Let's wield our words as swords of light and good.'
'Body mindfulness is to purposely choose words that nurture self-validation and affirm your body in self-talk and conversations with others.'
This is a book that I think it will be beneficial to return to frequently to perhaps rework the exercises as thoughts arise and refresh the spirit.
I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review. I think it is an important read to achieve self-acceptance in a society with so much body-shaming.
July 17, 2019
BODY MINDFUL YOGA teaches you how to change harmful thoughts, words and beliefs about body image through the transformative practice of yoga. Involves insightful yoga philosophy and practices to harness language to enhance self-image, confidence and calm. Employs four mindful steps — Listen, Learn, Love, and Live — to produce healing insights through hands-on exercises and yoga practices. The last two steps especially assist in improving your relationship with self and others. 5/5
Pub Date 08 Nov 2018
Thanks to Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#BodyMindfulYoga #NetGalley
Pub Date 08 Nov 2018
Thanks to Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#BodyMindfulYoga #NetGalley
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November 8, 2018I received a complimentary ARC copy of Body Mindful Yoga
Create a Powerful and Affirming Relationship with Your Body
by Robert Butera & Jennifer Kreatsoulas from NetGalley and Llewellyn Worldwide in order to read and give an honest review.
Body Mindful Yoga by Robert Butera and Jennifer Kreatsoulas isn’t a book of yoga poses, although there is a section that walks you through some, this is so much more. This is a book that promotes deep thought and self-introspection to help you work through what holds you back and learn that what we say to ourselves matters more than what anyone else says. Body Mindful Yoga helps you uncover the power of words in general, everything can add to our internal dialogue from what we read, hear and even marketing slogans, changing what we tell ourselves about our own bodies.
With the use of clever and well-designed exercises in each section, Body Mindful Yoga promotes journaling to uncover your deepest negative thoughts and helps us work through changing our harmful often overwhelmingly negative internal dialogue. The authors outline Butera’s method which involves four processes; Listen, Learn, Love, and Live. Each section offers hands-on exercises and practices designed to make the most of each lesson. Perfect for those who are both experienced or novice develop a meaningful yoga practice which goes deeper and is a much more holistic approach than just going through asanas.
When I was twelve, I started my first diet as I struggled to get my 5’9” frame “model thin” ...never happened. I spent years living off of diet tab and OTC pills, starving myself, over-exercising and going as far as having an eating disorder for years until I realized how unhealthy I was becoming. Nearing my 50’s now, I definitely have a much better outlook about myself but from time to time if I am honest with myself, I still find myself that twelve-year-old longing to live up to an ideal. While reading this book, I began to see that I still hold on to a bit of that negative body image. This book helped me re-examine some of those internal dialogues I thought were long buried and helped me constructively work on changing them. After years of health issues which included weight gain, I began taking dieting and exercise seriously again this year but one thing I discovered was for the most part, that I no longer want to be model thin I just want to feel healthy. After reading Body Mindful Yoga I’ve begun putting into practice some of the suggestions given by the authors and although a work in progress I do feel encouraged.
I wholeheartedly recommend that you read this book if you are looking to make positive changes in your life and develop a better self-image through an all-encompassing yoga practice.
Create a Powerful and Affirming Relationship with Your Body
by Robert Butera & Jennifer Kreatsoulas from NetGalley and Llewellyn Worldwide in order to read and give an honest review.
Body Mindful Yoga by Robert Butera and Jennifer Kreatsoulas isn’t a book of yoga poses, although there is a section that walks you through some, this is so much more. This is a book that promotes deep thought and self-introspection to help you work through what holds you back and learn that what we say to ourselves matters more than what anyone else says. Body Mindful Yoga helps you uncover the power of words in general, everything can add to our internal dialogue from what we read, hear and even marketing slogans, changing what we tell ourselves about our own bodies.
With the use of clever and well-designed exercises in each section, Body Mindful Yoga promotes journaling to uncover your deepest negative thoughts and helps us work through changing our harmful often overwhelmingly negative internal dialogue. The authors outline Butera’s method which involves four processes; Listen, Learn, Love, and Live. Each section offers hands-on exercises and practices designed to make the most of each lesson. Perfect for those who are both experienced or novice develop a meaningful yoga practice which goes deeper and is a much more holistic approach than just going through asanas.
When I was twelve, I started my first diet as I struggled to get my 5’9” frame “model thin” ...never happened. I spent years living off of diet tab and OTC pills, starving myself, over-exercising and going as far as having an eating disorder for years until I realized how unhealthy I was becoming. Nearing my 50’s now, I definitely have a much better outlook about myself but from time to time if I am honest with myself, I still find myself that twelve-year-old longing to live up to an ideal. While reading this book, I began to see that I still hold on to a bit of that negative body image. This book helped me re-examine some of those internal dialogues I thought were long buried and helped me constructively work on changing them. After years of health issues which included weight gain, I began taking dieting and exercise seriously again this year but one thing I discovered was for the most part, that I no longer want to be model thin I just want to feel healthy. After reading Body Mindful Yoga I’ve begun putting into practice some of the suggestions given by the authors and although a work in progress I do feel encouraged.
I wholeheartedly recommend that you read this book if you are looking to make positive changes in your life and develop a better self-image through an all-encompassing yoga practice.
November 4, 2018
My thanks to Netgalley, Llewellyn Publications, Robert Butera and Jennifer Kreatsoulas for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advanced copy.
In today’s swell of the wellness arena, being mindful is what it is all about. You can’t get any buzzier of a buzz word than mindfulness. Yoga has reached an all time high in popularity and so many people are chanting mantras while living their best life, while being body positive, do we need one more book? Needless to say, I was a little hesitant to read “Body Mindful Yoga”. What is mindful Yoga? But body image continues to be a difficult subject for me to come to terms with, I at least wanted to know what it was all about.
Truth be told, I am one of the masses who is embracing mindfulness and yoga has become a steady diet (along with healthy food - ugh!) It has helped me get through the ordeal of late stage cancer and cope living with chronic pain. But I have taken enough courses, read enough books to know that there are a great many respected authors who have something to impart to this world, and others who want to jump on the bandwagon and sell you the snake oil.
This book is a bit of a mixed bag for me. As I made my way deeper into the book, I thought it got better and I definitely have a few take aways that I can incorporate into my daily practice. First, know that this is not a typical yoga book with poses and pictures and instructions on how to do each pose. The author is on a mission to “radically alter the way we see and value ourselves as well as the way we view, evaluate, and relate to others and the world at large. Body Mindful Yoga is “part of a movement rooted in social justice and anti-oppression.” The author wants you to throw out the negative talk we internalize regarding our bodies and reframe our “body narrative”. They break it down into four steps: Listen, Learn, Love, and Live.
The beginning third really put me off and I though this would be a bust. It is mostly hype trying to convince you how amazing this ideology is. Once they got into the actual methodology I found that there are some excellent journalling exercises that, I think, will really help me become more aware of the language I use towards my body image and awareness is really what mindfulness is all about. They cover finding out where these messages come from, your attitude towards fitness, food, social media and fashion. These journal exercises are something that I think I will revisit over and over again. They also touch on using mantras or affirmations and there are 16 yoga poses that they highlight. They reframe these basic poses demonstrating how to apply the mindful part of what you just learned and add some in depth information that I found very useful.
Although heavy handed at times, I found this had something to offer. In the current culture, body image is a problem for many people and any help to reframe your thoughts in a positive light, I welcome. Applying the mindful component with yoga made the whole philosophy full circle and I think there is something for everyone in this book.
In today’s swell of the wellness arena, being mindful is what it is all about. You can’t get any buzzier of a buzz word than mindfulness. Yoga has reached an all time high in popularity and so many people are chanting mantras while living their best life, while being body positive, do we need one more book? Needless to say, I was a little hesitant to read “Body Mindful Yoga”. What is mindful Yoga? But body image continues to be a difficult subject for me to come to terms with, I at least wanted to know what it was all about.
Truth be told, I am one of the masses who is embracing mindfulness and yoga has become a steady diet (along with healthy food - ugh!) It has helped me get through the ordeal of late stage cancer and cope living with chronic pain. But I have taken enough courses, read enough books to know that there are a great many respected authors who have something to impart to this world, and others who want to jump on the bandwagon and sell you the snake oil.
This book is a bit of a mixed bag for me. As I made my way deeper into the book, I thought it got better and I definitely have a few take aways that I can incorporate into my daily practice. First, know that this is not a typical yoga book with poses and pictures and instructions on how to do each pose. The author is on a mission to “radically alter the way we see and value ourselves as well as the way we view, evaluate, and relate to others and the world at large. Body Mindful Yoga is “part of a movement rooted in social justice and anti-oppression.” The author wants you to throw out the negative talk we internalize regarding our bodies and reframe our “body narrative”. They break it down into four steps: Listen, Learn, Love, and Live.
The beginning third really put me off and I though this would be a bust. It is mostly hype trying to convince you how amazing this ideology is. Once they got into the actual methodology I found that there are some excellent journalling exercises that, I think, will really help me become more aware of the language I use towards my body image and awareness is really what mindfulness is all about. They cover finding out where these messages come from, your attitude towards fitness, food, social media and fashion. These journal exercises are something that I think I will revisit over and over again. They also touch on using mantras or affirmations and there are 16 yoga poses that they highlight. They reframe these basic poses demonstrating how to apply the mindful part of what you just learned and add some in depth information that I found very useful.
Although heavy handed at times, I found this had something to offer. In the current culture, body image is a problem for many people and any help to reframe your thoughts in a positive light, I welcome. Applying the mindful component with yoga made the whole philosophy full circle and I think there is something for everyone in this book.
November 10, 2018
Early in the book, when the authors are sharing their stories and reasons for writing this book, Jennifer Kreatsoulas states that while experimenting with how to teach yoga to students with eating disorders, she learned how to stop “asking others to prove themselves through their bodies.” That phrase really stuck with me. And that’s what this book is about—examining how the language we use affects how we feel about our bodies.
I liked the authors’ approach of combining yoga with reflection upon and changes in language use to help readers explore and heal their relationship with their body. I am already thinking about all of the other ways the techniques in this book could be used for personal growth and healing. I think this book could potentially be life-changing for many people, but it really requires a lot of time and effort if you want to get maximum benefit. Be prepared for a lot of contemplation and journaling!
Robert Butera presented some interesting background information on yoga education that made me curious to learn more. Other highlights of the book for me included the section on listing body mindful goals (e.g., to have more energy, to improve health) and identifying the intention underlying those goals (e.g., to cultivate joy, to experience more freedom). I found that work on intention very powerful. Chapter 6, discussing Morality Language and Food, was also quite powerful for me. And I liked the yoga practices introduced in Chapter 11, which included visual and auditory practices and mantras, affirmation, and prayers as well as poses. Their Body Mindful Yoga Pose Practice gave me new ways to experience the asanas (and the poses are clearly explained with helpful illustrations).
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in language use, yoga, and personal growth.
I was provided an ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review. Because I have not seen the final published version, I cannot comment on the final editing and formatting.
I liked the authors’ approach of combining yoga with reflection upon and changes in language use to help readers explore and heal their relationship with their body. I am already thinking about all of the other ways the techniques in this book could be used for personal growth and healing. I think this book could potentially be life-changing for many people, but it really requires a lot of time and effort if you want to get maximum benefit. Be prepared for a lot of contemplation and journaling!
Robert Butera presented some interesting background information on yoga education that made me curious to learn more. Other highlights of the book for me included the section on listing body mindful goals (e.g., to have more energy, to improve health) and identifying the intention underlying those goals (e.g., to cultivate joy, to experience more freedom). I found that work on intention very powerful. Chapter 6, discussing Morality Language and Food, was also quite powerful for me. And I liked the yoga practices introduced in Chapter 11, which included visual and auditory practices and mantras, affirmation, and prayers as well as poses. Their Body Mindful Yoga Pose Practice gave me new ways to experience the asanas (and the poses are clearly explained with helpful illustrations).
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in language use, yoga, and personal growth.
I was provided an ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review. Because I have not seen the final published version, I cannot comment on the final editing and formatting.
December 25, 2018
I want to thank the publisher, Llewelyn worldwide LTD and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book written by Robert Butera and Jennifer Kreatsoulas is focuses on how language affects our perception of our body image and lead us through a process of body acceptance and positive body narratives.
I read this book during a transatlantic flight. I was hooked in from the beginning and then I started to get bored a bit. I realized that the writing was becoming quite repetitive. I wanted to commit to the authors and kept on reading and I got hooked again. While reading I could really feel the passion of the authors and their mission to impart their message to us the reader. This is evident in the fact that each chapter had a summary at the end to help recap the things learned. I found them very helpful especially if you are already familiar with the info in that chapter you could just read the summary and move on.
The authors introduce us to the “The Butera Method Transformation”, which is a 4 step method that adapts yoga philosophy for modern needs. The 4 steps are listen, learn, love and live. I could really relate to some of the messages and had quite a few aha moments. One of them was how we complement others on their outer appearance and not on their inner. And by commenting on their outer appearances, our language may help perpetuate perceptions of their body image and therefore contribute to disempowering body narratives. I also realized that my father was right when he told me not to comment on friend”s outer appearances as it may implie negativity, such as only today she was wearing a beautiful dress as I did not comment on each outfit everyday.
The authors lead us through the Butera Method Transformation to journaling exercises, meditation and yoga poses.
I really like this book, in my opinion, this book is about body language and positive body narratives but I found the wisdom applicable to life in general and self improvement in other facets of our lives.
I highly recommend this book!
I read this book during a transatlantic flight. I was hooked in from the beginning and then I started to get bored a bit. I realized that the writing was becoming quite repetitive. I wanted to commit to the authors and kept on reading and I got hooked again. While reading I could really feel the passion of the authors and their mission to impart their message to us the reader. This is evident in the fact that each chapter had a summary at the end to help recap the things learned. I found them very helpful especially if you are already familiar with the info in that chapter you could just read the summary and move on.
The authors introduce us to the “The Butera Method Transformation”, which is a 4 step method that adapts yoga philosophy for modern needs. The 4 steps are listen, learn, love and live. I could really relate to some of the messages and had quite a few aha moments. One of them was how we complement others on their outer appearance and not on their inner. And by commenting on their outer appearances, our language may help perpetuate perceptions of their body image and therefore contribute to disempowering body narratives. I also realized that my father was right when he told me not to comment on friend”s outer appearances as it may implie negativity, such as only today she was wearing a beautiful dress as I did not comment on each outfit everyday.
The authors lead us through the Butera Method Transformation to journaling exercises, meditation and yoga poses.
I really like this book, in my opinion, this book is about body language and positive body narratives but I found the wisdom applicable to life in general and self improvement in other facets of our lives.
I highly recommend this book!
October 13, 2018
Body Mindful Yoga by Robert Butera and Jennifer Kreatsoulas is an insightful guide for readers who want to take a deeper look at themselves and improve. The book is split up into different sections Listen, Learn, Love and Live. It is also filled with in-journal exercises to help the readers really identify how they view themselves. It really focuses on language and negative body image and how that affects us mentally but also socially and within our own yoga practice.
"The problem is, however, that when we habitually rely on others to validate our worth, we never truly learn how to validate ourselves. As a result, we become enmeshed in guilt, shame, and comparison as we constantly strive to arrive at an ideal." -Body Mindful Yoga, Introduction
After reading this book, I never truly realized how negative my own personal body image was. This book had me write down my personal responses to exercises in a journal and then had me go back and examine them. Here, I was able to see critical and harsh words on how I viewed my looks, body weight goals, and how I view food and eating habits. Not only this, but these negative thoughts not only control my negative body image but also makes an impact on how I treat others, how I interact socially and how it can have a negative impact on my yoga practice.
I thought this book to be extremely powerful and encouraging. This book is meant for anyone who is willing to make positive changes in their life as a whole. Not only does this book have exercises and yoga sequences but it provides encouraging and positive tips to make changes in our lives. I also love how this book breaks down social fads and language. I really enjoyed everything about this book and it will provide me with decisive changes in my daily life. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!!
Thank you, NetGalley for a copy of this book!
"The problem is, however, that when we habitually rely on others to validate our worth, we never truly learn how to validate ourselves. As a result, we become enmeshed in guilt, shame, and comparison as we constantly strive to arrive at an ideal." -Body Mindful Yoga, Introduction
After reading this book, I never truly realized how negative my own personal body image was. This book had me write down my personal responses to exercises in a journal and then had me go back and examine them. Here, I was able to see critical and harsh words on how I viewed my looks, body weight goals, and how I view food and eating habits. Not only this, but these negative thoughts not only control my negative body image but also makes an impact on how I treat others, how I interact socially and how it can have a negative impact on my yoga practice.
I thought this book to be extremely powerful and encouraging. This book is meant for anyone who is willing to make positive changes in their life as a whole. Not only does this book have exercises and yoga sequences but it provides encouraging and positive tips to make changes in our lives. I also love how this book breaks down social fads and language. I really enjoyed everything about this book and it will provide me with decisive changes in my daily life. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!!
Thank you, NetGalley for a copy of this book!
October 17, 2018
I thought this was a good book for someone looking to learn more about mindfulness and the power of perception. The book provides easy to understand concepts, metaphors, and advice for becoming more in tune with ones self.
One of my favorite lines was at the very beginning and says " Take a moment to fully take in the significance of these words: body image is a perception and not fact". I think so many need to read and re-read this statement.
I appreciated how each chapter gave a summary or recap of what was just discussed, and that there were exercises to put the teachings into practice. I also liked the basic yoga poses at the end. As someone who practices, these are powerful poses and provide a lot of grounding and other benefits.
One of my favorite lines was at the very beginning and says " Take a moment to fully take in the significance of these words: body image is a perception and not fact". I think so many need to read and re-read this statement.
I appreciated how each chapter gave a summary or recap of what was just discussed, and that there were exercises to put the teachings into practice. I also liked the basic yoga poses at the end. As someone who practices, these are powerful poses and provide a lot of grounding and other benefits.
August 28, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed Body Mindful Yoga. The philosophies that Butera and Kreatsoulas discuss seem like common sense by the time you are finished reading the book. It all boils down to practicing and teaching others how to accept oneself as they are and practicing being a good person. I really liked that throughout the book, there are written exercises that could be accomplished. More than once, at the end of the chapter, I was reading the chapter summary and went back to reread a point I had missed. I appreciated this part of the book because it allowed me to make sure I was getting the most out of it.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It can apply and be practiced by all.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It can apply and be practiced by all.
November 2, 2018
Most people think of yoga as just asana, the physical postures. Yoga is so much more than that. This book brings some of the philosophical aspects of yoga into everyday language. How can we change our perspective with self hate? Through thoughtful exercises such as journaling, the authors give us a guide on how to love our bodies and let the true journey begin. If you are looking for physical practices there is a limited amount. Go get a different book. . Bring this one home for the philosophy that is lacking in the others.
November 23, 2018
It was a great book. I was hoping to have a little more instruction on how to assist someone else suffering from an eating disorder, but when you mix it into the continued study of your own yogic journey it works really well.
September 15, 2019
This was an interesting Rooney. Not as good as watching a yoga DVD per se but it was still really interesting and helpful for me to keep in my mind what I've read in this book when I'm practicing yoga with DVDs and stuff at home
March 30, 2024
I learned a lot about myself, and how I've been influenced by things while reading this book. I did not expect the exercises throughout to do, but I do believe it truly benefitted me to take my time and do them. I recommend the book.
October 14, 2019
Not what I was expecting it to be but I still really liked it. It has come in handy for my body image group.
May 15, 2020
I found the mental exercises useful but I was disappointed with how few yoga exercises were included. I was hoping for more balance between the two aspects.
March 12, 2023
Contains good insights about the power of language and how it shapes our perception of ourselves and our body.
January 8, 2020
If you are interested in yoga you will enjoy this book. I felt it helped me find a deeper purpose in my yoga practice and helped my meditation.
I received this galley from NetGalley.
I received this galley from NetGalley.
July 15, 2018
This is a very comprehensive look at your mind and spirit, the beliefs you carry with you. I really liked the food section. I do wish there had been more yoga poses and routines. #BodyMindfulYoga #NetGalley
July 24, 2018
This is a book for people who, so I understand, don't love their bodies the way it is. The authors try to show up ways how to change that, breaking the general issue into categories of how we're generally trained to see or feel about our bodies, by society, by advertizing, by ourselves. I'm sure that those who feel adressed by the topic can get some help/advice in understanding and changing their view on their bodies which overall will lead to more contentness.
To be honest, I don't think it's a book for people who either don't care or am ok with their bodies, who don't follow trends or see their bodies as a problem.
Personally I'd have shortened the book quite a bit. It's a bit too much on the explanation and theory-side.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review and good luck to the authors!
To be honest, I don't think it's a book for people who either don't care or am ok with their bodies, who don't follow trends or see their bodies as a problem.
Personally I'd have shortened the book quite a bit. It's a bit too much on the explanation and theory-side.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review and good luck to the authors!
August 1, 2018
I found this book exactly when I needed it!! I have struggled with an eating disorder since I was 12. I felt best about my body after having my children, I felt strong and powerful and proud that my body was able to make two babies. I am 46 now, despite eating less and exercising more, I am still getting squishy around my middle. I have been feeling depressed, upset, defeated and angry. I needed this book. Thank you!!
The authors contend that we often think of change on a large scale, in terms of events, but it starts with language. What we say to ourselves shifts our perspective. We are bombarded with fad diets and before and after photos and that shapes how we view our own bodies. But the author contends that "body image is a perception and not fact".
The authors have mapped out a path to having healthier body narratives, with a step by step approach to learning to love yourself and your body. They encourage you to listen to your body and know yourself, to learn about what makes you feel good or bad, Love: practice new guiding principles for your inner life and Live: share what you have learned with others. There are personal stories from the authors and people they have worked with over the years. There are also questions at the end of each chapter that the reader can use to journal and come to a deeper understanding of their own narrative and how to transform their inner life so that it can heal their body image. Change starts from within.
The authors contend that we often think of change on a large scale, in terms of events, but it starts with language. What we say to ourselves shifts our perspective. We are bombarded with fad diets and before and after photos and that shapes how we view our own bodies. But the author contends that "body image is a perception and not fact".
The authors have mapped out a path to having healthier body narratives, with a step by step approach to learning to love yourself and your body. They encourage you to listen to your body and know yourself, to learn about what makes you feel good or bad, Love: practice new guiding principles for your inner life and Live: share what you have learned with others. There are personal stories from the authors and people they have worked with over the years. There are also questions at the end of each chapter that the reader can use to journal and come to a deeper understanding of their own narrative and how to transform their inner life so that it can heal their body image. Change starts from within.
August 12, 2018
I’ve been practicing yoga for over three decades and have never come across a book like this one! I’m so glad I found this. The main premise is about using yoga and other tools to come into healthy, loving relationship with one’s body. This is a powerful premise that the authors live up to!
I thought that this was going to be a book mostly about yoga poses, and it is to some extent, but I found the activities and questions and inquiries sessions to be so helpful and so revealing.
I really appreciated the chapter about food, and how the language I use around food affects my mind and my body as well as my spirit and my yoga practice. I know it sounds strange but I never really made that connection before and I am grateful to the authors for including this in the book.
The body mindful journaling exercises we’re extremely helpful for me and they are scattered throughout the book in perfect order. Each section also has suggestions for “body mindful statements“ that are proving invaluable to me on my journey towards excepting and loving my body exactly as it is.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and net galley for an advanced reading copy of this book exchange for my honest review.
I thought that this was going to be a book mostly about yoga poses, and it is to some extent, but I found the activities and questions and inquiries sessions to be so helpful and so revealing.
I really appreciated the chapter about food, and how the language I use around food affects my mind and my body as well as my spirit and my yoga practice. I know it sounds strange but I never really made that connection before and I am grateful to the authors for including this in the book.
The body mindful journaling exercises we’re extremely helpful for me and they are scattered throughout the book in perfect order. Each section also has suggestions for “body mindful statements“ that are proving invaluable to me on my journey towards excepting and loving my body exactly as it is.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and net galley for an advanced reading copy of this book exchange for my honest review.
October 17, 2018
An interesting new take on yoga and posy positivity. This book isn’t full of asanas or modifications. Instead it’s about using the principles of yoga to love yourself. Starting with the language we use to describe our bodies and to speak to others about theirs, the authors describe how to learn to love yourself.
November 13, 2018
The book focuses on being aware of the way you treat your body especially how you speak to it. The authors discuss the influences of fashion, food, fitness and social media on how we perceive and treat ourselves.
I liked the book but found it a little repetitive. The message was simple but passed through so many layers that it lost some of the meaning. Maybe it's because I already focus a lot on body positivity. For someone completely new to the area, it may be a good option.
I received a free copy from NetGalley.
I liked the book but found it a little repetitive. The message was simple but passed through so many layers that it lost some of the meaning. Maybe it's because I already focus a lot on body positivity. For someone completely new to the area, it may be a good option.
I received a free copy from NetGalley.
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January 29, 2019I dug this a ton as someone who came to yoga with a perception about my body -- it wasn't the "right" body for yoga -- and came to understand how yoga is not only for every body but that every body and everybody benefits from yoga. The book isn't asana based and instead, is very much situated in the first two limbs of the eight and that was refreshing. Any reader curious about body positivity or finding ways to reconstruct language around having a body will benefit a lot from this.
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