Yoga for Real Life

by Maya Fiennes

In-demand celebrity yoga teacher and fitness guru Maya Fiennes brings her upbeat, inspirational style to a yoga instruction guide, incorporating song, chanting, breathing, and movement  The effervescent, charismatic Maya Fiennes introduces her method of Kundalini yoga, shares her life story, and reveals the secrets that have helped her and her students to manage the stresses and strains of everyday life. Kundalini is a very direct form of yoga with an immediate effect, combining movement, breathing, and chanting to energize the body and relax the mind, while strengthening the body's nervous and immune system. Through a lively combination of yoga poses and exercises, recipes, massage tips, mantras, and personal stories, Maya demonstrates how yoga practice and philosophy can effectively be incorporated into all aspects of everyday life. Covering such topics as self esteem, staying youthful, love, and relationships, this a book for your handbag, your desk, and your bedside your indispensable guide to achieving the most from your daily life—for the rest of your life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Philosophy, Inspirational, Spirituality, Meditation

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Deniz Balcı · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mutlaka birilerine yardımı olmuş, yogaya dair fikir edinmelerini sağlamış olabilir. O açıdan yararsız olduğunu söyleyemem ama biraz kişisel gelişim kaynağı gibi yazılmış bir kitap olduğunu söylemem lazım. Yoga bir hayat tarzı olarak birçok açıdan insana yardımcı olabilir. Hem iyileşme hem de dönüşme gücünü insana verebilir. Fakat asli amacı modern dünyanın içinde sorunsallaşan insanı daha başarılı, daha güçlü hale getirmek olamaz. Bu yoganın özüyle çelişen bir şey. Maya Fiennes, kitabında özellikle kundalini yoga üzerinden tavsiyelerde bulunuyor. Çakralar üzerinden de spesifik önerileri oluyor; hem pratik hem de hayat tarzı için. Burada kurduğu dil ne yazık ki batının benmerkezci diliyle örtüşüyor. Bunun başlangıç için tehlikeli bir tarz olduğunu düşünüyorum. Nefes çalışmalarının ya da mantralar; veyahut tantrların bir matematiği yok ki... Yolu sunmak lazım, varılacak yeri değil. O yüzden özellikle danışanlarından aktardığı anekdotlar ekstra irite edici geldi bana. Neyse dediğim gibi birilerine iyi gelebilir, reddetmiyorum fakat kendi anlayışıma uygun bulmadığımı söylemek istiyorum. Herkese iyi okumalar.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been practicing Kundalini Yoga regularly for almost a year now, and I just recently did one of her videos. The exercises were good and there was one chant I really liked but overall I didn't find the set-up of her video to be the best(for me). Anyhow, there was a mention about this book on the video and I decided to check it out. The book really talks about chakras, energy blocks, and energy flows. She gives suggestions for real life on and off the mat that relate to unblocking energy in each of those chakras/areas of your life. Some may find it hokey or cheesy, but I think she's refreshing (plus if you find Kundalini Yoga hokey or cheesy I suggest trying it first and seeing how you feel). I'm going to be able to (and have already started) to develop my own set of yoga that I can fit into my morning routine based on this book. I like how she explains how you can mix and match exercises. I just really liked it. I'm going to buy it for reference (note, the dvd goes pretty much exactly with this book). The only thing I didn't like was the section on children/parenting. If you are a parent (read: mother) then you will feel validated and encouraged by the section, but as someone who doesn't have children or probably want them, it left me feeling a little bad about myself. Whha. I got over it with some meditation :)

[M. Jane Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book, and one of the first I read as I was researching Kundalini Yoga. A very down-to-earth, practical and readable approach to a topic that's often taken too seriously and too esoterically. The structure of the book follows the seven chakras, each of which Fiennes ties to very down to earth life equivalents--the root chakra, for example, is the anchor of the chapter called "be here now," while the heart chakra is, of course, the anchor of the "love and relationships" chapter. Kundalini yoga practices, from mantras, meditations, and kriyas, are interspersed throughout, as are recipes, peeks at Fiennes' life (past and present), and elucidations of her personal philosophy.

A nice introduction to Kundalini--although once you really get into it, you'll probably need a more in-depth book?

[Katia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book instantly puts one in a good mood! Inspiring but also practical at the same time.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this quite a bit. It was as much about day to day life as yoga.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've practised yoga under a number of different teachers for 20 years. I read this book thinking it might add a little bit of newness to my everyday practice. I was really disappointed.

Considering this is supposed to be for 'real life' Maya doesn't consider real life people where even healthy bodies have different capacities, nevermind those with disabilities. She doesn't offer a way to adapt any of the practices for this or encourage people to listen to their bodies. Bad yoga classes have actually made me ill. It's not just what you do it's the way that you do it.

Also I can't believe that people are still peddling that 'think positive thoughts and you will feel better' ideology. There is absolutely no evidence for this, and all the evidence suggests that actually instead of trying to feel positive emotions 100% of the time, you will actually be more positive if you learn how to have difficult feelings and express them. That is actually the way to let them go.

Also these practices, especially meditation, should come with a caveat. Meditation for those who are holding many difficult feelings may simply open a door to those feelings. I have spoken to many first time mediators who dived in feet first (often under guidance) and found their meditation turned into an anxiety attack. It needs to be approached gently and done appropriately to the individuals needs.

Yoga has so many good thing to offer a person, but Maya may do more harm than good.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful, useful, clear and not self-righteous or pompous. I love Fiennes' approach and manner. Only bought this to supplement the dvd (which I have been doing on alternate days) but am glad I did. It fills in gaps and extends understanding.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya is one of my favorite yoga instructors. This book is a wonderful introduction to Kundalini yoga and to Maya's approach to it. She is so positive that there are parts I return to over and over.

[MARY · Rating 3 out of 5]

I use a couple of the exercises, which are mostly very difficult

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I really liked the Pinterest style layouts and the styling of the book was beautiful, which really fitted with the theme. it really is what is says, a representation of yoga for real life and how it works and the benefits, interwoven with specific exercises. It is not a yoga manual, but I didn't expect it to be. I think it's much better than that. I was interested to know how yoga impacted Maya Fiennes' life and why she practised and how that might help me see parallels for my life and that's what this book provided. I enjoyed the little mini stories and examples from students and friends, which again illustrated how yoga can help/ be a part of a real life. From a spiritual perspective, For me it was about Maya Fiennes sharing her beliefs, which I found interesting to read about, even if they didn't necessarily reflect my own world view, it was useful to see the way someone else views the world and how their yoga practice reflects that world view.

[Danielle Raine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya's guide to a healthy, happy life - Kundalini style!
As the title suggests, this is a yoga book for real life - the exercises are ones that us `normal people' can shoehorn into our busy lives.The sections are loosely based on the body's seven main energy centres (chakras). The simple, elegant pictures and clear descriptions make the yoga sections appealing and easy to follow. But the yoga instruction is only half the fun! Throughout each section, we're also treated to Maya's personal insights and philosophies on life, health and wellbeing, as well as quotes, anecdotes and smoothie recipes.
Through these simple techniques and ideas, Maya has created an accessible route to inner peace, emotional calm, vibrant health and a better quality of life. For beginners or experienced yogis, this beautiful book is a treat.

[Andrea Hickman Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like my yoga books. I bought this after I started doing Kundalini Yoga. Most of the yoga practiced here focuses on the asanas, the postures. Kundalini is different in that the focus there is on moving with the breath. The major focuses of Kundalini are breath and mantra. Doing Kundalini is almost like a moving meditation. And, regardless of how easy it sounds, it really isn't. Because in Kundalini they like to repeat a move (in time with the breath) for long periods of time. In this book, the recommendation is to start with about 5 minutes for each practice and build your way up to half an hour.

The thing I really like about this book is that it talks about integrating yoga into your life. So that it's not just about the time you spend on your mat. If you're interested in yoga, this is an interesting read.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and will definitely keep it for reference (much like my 1980 something Cheryl Tiegs Natural Beauty book that I adored as a tween). I would give it 5 stars if it were a tad longer. Each chapter pertains to a different chakra giving some asanas, breath work and recipes that help improve or waken areas of imbalance.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is my favorite Kundalini Yoga instructor. This book was written in such a way as to give me the feeling of sitting down to have a chat with a good friend every time I opened it to continue my read. This book gave me a better understanding of the poses demonstrated in her Yoga For Real Life DVD. I enjoyed it very much.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

An impulse buy from WH Smiths! (I buy so few new books these days.)

I enjoyed this book exploring kundalini yoga, it's based around the chakras, each chapter suggests ways of using yoga in an everyday sense.

Career, friendships and family, postures and exercises, philosophy and healthy smoothies/juice recipes within each chakra theme. Plenty of good ideas to pick and choose from.

[Alison Zak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and everything about it is so beautiful and inspirational. I loved the writing, photographs, quotes, recipes, and of course the wonderful kriya instructions. Reading this book filled me with joy. I wish I could take a live yoga class with Maya but her DVD will do for now!

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great companion to the Kundalini yoga DVDs by Maya Fiennes. It offers deeper understanding of the 7 chakras and some extra tips (such as recipes for energizing drinks) as well. Maya Fiennes is a great yoga teacher; her personal insights in this book are inspirational and motivating.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked some of the exercises and advice for calm living. However, I was leary of the Hindu philosophy behind it.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have & read book! Something you will go back to all the time.

[Sally-anne Foxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brill book one that I will keep with me , it helps a lot

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a beautiful and relaxing book. If you are interested in Kundalini Yoga is a good way to know the benefits of this practice.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars from me!

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good explanations and photos of poses, excessive gratuitous photos of author.

[Heidi Lehtinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creative, different, convincing, genuine. Absolutely brilliant.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good easy reading. Kundalini is my new favorite yoga.