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Practice
Author Kurt Koontz freely admits that he is not wholly guided by his spirit when he first begins to dabble in yoga. An outdoor adventurer, he enjoys the challenging physicality of the exercise, which leads him to try several different types of yoga, seeking both fitness and female company. However, when a friend from afar encourages Kurt to seek new adventures in Rishikesh, India, the self-professed "Yoga Capital of the World," Kurt feels called to the city and its yoga studios. In Practice, his newest memoir, Kurt guides readers through his three journeys to India in vivid, poignant detail. With unfailing honesty and humor, Kurt treats his readers to the visual and cultural richness of Rishikesh. Aware of his great fortune in visiting such a beautiful city, Kurt shares his unbound admiration for his new surroundings, and not only for the lush foothills of the Himalayas and the sacred River Ganges, but also for the many families who welcome him. Soon, that welcome extends into the yoga world, where Kurt finds a studio and teacher who will entirely transform his conception of yoga. Practice is a spiritual exploration grounded in the modern world that speaks not just to yogis and travelers, but to all adventurers, to all who strive to expand their own wisdom and compassion through soul-deep introspection.
196 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2018
About the author
Kurt Koontz
3 books4 followersAfter retiring early from his job as a successful sales executive for a Fortune 500 technology company, Kurt Koontz volunteered in his community and traveled across Europe and North America. He never considered writing a book until he walked nearly 500 miles across Spain in 2012. Those million steps were so compelling that he returned home and began writing and speaking about his life-changing adventures. He lives and writes on a tree-lined creek in Boise, Idaho.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 26, 2021
I met Kurt in DC and he gave me a copy of this book. He is an interesting man who is a good person. It was a book that was reflection on his spiritual trips to India and was an easy read.
There were some nuggets of wisdom like, despite your ego, keep learning.
There was also, Frank Outlaw's quote:
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch you habits, they become character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
Did I think this book changed my life? No.
Did I enjoy some of the stories about his travels? Yes. I especially enjoyed his story about the larger currency being restricted from being used to control inflation. He then told of how he had to wait in line for hours to exchange a limited amount of money each day. This then turned him to the black market where he had to exchange his money for far less. I am fortunate not to have to live under a government that has those struggles.
Did it make me want to go to India in search of spiritual enlightenment? Mostly yes.
The most rewarding part of the book was his observation that Indians focus in life is very different from Americans. They take the time to be mindful of their mind, body and emotions. Whereas we have a different focus and are not as mindful of our physical / spiritual needs. Since most of them are mindful this changes their levels of satisfaction with their lots in life when they find and simplify their sources of happiness / purpose. Americans could learn from this and hopefully all those who practice yoga are helping turn that trend.
There were some nuggets of wisdom like, despite your ego, keep learning.
There was also, Frank Outlaw's quote:
Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch you habits, they become character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
Did I think this book changed my life? No.
Did I enjoy some of the stories about his travels? Yes. I especially enjoyed his story about the larger currency being restricted from being used to control inflation. He then told of how he had to wait in line for hours to exchange a limited amount of money each day. This then turned him to the black market where he had to exchange his money for far less. I am fortunate not to have to live under a government that has those struggles.
Did it make me want to go to India in search of spiritual enlightenment? Mostly yes.
The most rewarding part of the book was his observation that Indians focus in life is very different from Americans. They take the time to be mindful of their mind, body and emotions. Whereas we have a different focus and are not as mindful of our physical / spiritual needs. Since most of them are mindful this changes their levels of satisfaction with their lots in life when they find and simplify their sources of happiness / purpose. Americans could learn from this and hopefully all those who practice yoga are helping turn that trend.
November 6, 2018
Simply beautiful
Kurt is a master storyteller.
He excels at making the reader feel like that are sitting beside him sipping tea by the Ganges, climbing the steps with him to enter a yoga class in Rishikesh or searching with him for messages hidden by friends inside trees by the beach.
Chapter after chapter, story after story I was finding myself laughing, crying, smiling and soul searching.
Thank you Kurt for such a beautiful book.
Kurt is a master storyteller.
He excels at making the reader feel like that are sitting beside him sipping tea by the Ganges, climbing the steps with him to enter a yoga class in Rishikesh or searching with him for messages hidden by friends inside trees by the beach.
Chapter after chapter, story after story I was finding myself laughing, crying, smiling and soul searching.
Thank you Kurt for such a beautiful book.
October 5, 2020
Take a trip to India
I'm so glad that I took the time to experience Kurt's first hand view of a sacred part of India where he relays being part of a Yoga teacher training. I couldn't stop turning pages because I felt like I was experiencing it for myself.
I'm so glad that I took the time to experience Kurt's first hand view of a sacred part of India where he relays being part of a Yoga teacher training. I couldn't stop turning pages because I felt like I was experiencing it for myself.
October 14, 2020
A book showing how simple it could be to practice meditation and being present while traveling and out of the Yoga mat. Kurt did a wonderful way to share his experience and to transfer his love for the people and the places in India.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews