Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life: A Guide for Everyday Practice

by Charlotte Bell, Donna Farhi (Foreword)

A longtime yoga teacher and Buddhist meditation practitioner, Charlotte Bell describes in passionate detail how she applied the eightfold path of the Yoga Sutras and the Buddha’s heed for mindfulness to her hectic Western life. The path is often rough; she writes of self-doubt and struggles, of trying too hard and discouragement, of learning to accept the life she has, imperfections and all. But with grace and guts, she navigates the eight limbs of yoga, using the Yoga Sutras and insight meditation as her compass. She shows each limb at work in her relationships, music, asana, meditation, and even in writing this book. Her discussion of each limb includes practical ways that readers can bring mindfulness into asana itself, and in a section called “Reflections,” Bell encourages readers to experience even the most ordinary activity as extraordinary, whether it’s washing dishes, making tea, or rolling out their yoga mat.

Genres: Health, Spirituality

193 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Elise · Rating 2 out of 5]

no actual application of yoga moves to the meditation talked about.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! still a good read though, i did really enjoy gaining all this knowledge from the practice. definitely would recommend it to somebody who really wants to know about the limbs of yoga. 🧘🏻‍♀️ or if you want to get a little more insight too.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat of a memoir, but mostly an interpretation of the eight limbs of yoga through a lens of real-life examples. It helped give me greater context and insight into Patanjali’s sutras. I enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone starting down a path of practicing the eight limbs.

[Em]

Great book for those wanting to learn more about the eight limbs of yoga.

I'm practicing saucha by letting loose this book and many others for an upcoming move after being in my current home for nearly two decades.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I currently needed most. Through her own personal experiences and explanations, Charlotte explained the eight limbs beautifully and I believe I now have a much better understanding of them. It’s given me better insight on how to live my life, practice yoga, as well as the importance of being mindful and finding happiness in the present moment.
Wonderful book!

[A.H. Haar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life written by Charlotte Bell is a beautiful book of guidance and discovery.

The Summer of 2013 has been, by all accounts, the summer that I lost my mind. Unable to leave the house, anxiety consumed me, leaving me unable to even answer a text message let alone go to work to provide for my small family (of two cats and one husband). These are old problems. I spent much of high school this way; agoraphobia runs in my family and I am a reluctant heiress. I spent more years than I care to admit struggling through community college, mucking my way through a system I did not understand or have the words to question. These problems never left me, rather they hid in the arms and the gaze and the company of my partner. For five years of marriage I manipulated the anxiety system, never leaving the house alone, never managing the money, never managing the household chores, never moving. I sat, calcified, and completely cared for by the man that loved me. And there, they lay dormant.

I pulled myself out of this pit, slowly but surely, inch by hard won inch. With the help of some initial medication, a regimen of Amino Acids, calcium blends, herbal concoctions, a radical change in diet and life style, and the ever constant support of my husband, I made it back to functionality.

And that is where I'm at today. There are aspects of life that are still a struggle, and anxiety still plagues me. Some days are worse than others, some hours are darker than the previous. Unmistakably though, I am doing better. And it is in this stage of recovery that I am ready to practice mindfulness.

Before, it was impossible. My "monkey mind" as Bell refers to it was in full swing, misbehaving, putting the terrible two's of toddlerhood to shame. But I am stronger now, and ready to try.

I started this book on a weekend away to the beach, flipping pages while the ocean sang to me. Right away, I knew this was the book I needed to be reading above all others. The Author takes us through her journey to mindfulness, speaking candidly of her struggles with her own "monkey mind". Bell offers exercises one can try to practice mindfulness, practical advice on how to make "stillness" an integrated part of your day; Tea rituals, washing dishes, walking meditation.

I am not finished yet. I'm not even that far into the book. But I'm excited and ready to practice.

[Helynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first acquaintance with author Charlotte Bell was fall 2015 when I heard her play solo English horn at the world premiere of The Brahma Viharas, Concerto for English Horn and Orchestra by Phillip Bimstein at a performance of the Salt Lake Symphony. Bell is a lifelong musician, specializing in the oboe and English horn, but she also has been a yoga instructor and expert in Zen philosophy for nearly as many years. The Bimstein work was appropriately composed for her, and each movement was named for a tenet of Zen philosophy. I was so intrigued that night by Bell’s performance and by her whole persona that I quickly ordered her book Mindful Yoga: Mindful Life and the smaller, illustrated Yoga for Meditators: Poses to Support your Sitting Practice, and enjoyed them both. I am no yoga expert, but Bell gears the second book to people who may or may not be limber and experienced at the practice, and she includes lots of instructions and caveats for each pose, as well as its physical and emotional benefits to the body. In Mindful Yoga: Mindful Life Bell begins with a description of yoga as a practice to “settle the mind,” then leads reads through several chapters of how to make the practice one’s own personal art. She includes chapters on the “eight limbs of yoga,” and describes such philosophies as living in harmony with all beings, dynamic peacefulness, impeccable truthfulness, caring for our creative energy, conscious everyday living and cultivating purity, and awakening contentment. Her chapters include tips on how to meditation effectively with such basic advice on breathing for the abdomen instead of just the chest At the base of her philosophy is the frequent reminder of the need to cultivate mindfulness, which “generates insight energy, and enthusiasm which renew our resolve to practice” (107). She describes mindfulness of body, feeling, mental states, and the dharma, which leads to the realization that everything in life is impermanent, and that “our happiness or unhappiness does not depend on what is happening in the external world” (142). In short, all the advice in this book points toward self-discipline in the most calming and comforting manner. It is truly a book of enlightenment written with love and the agenda to help people propagate the best within themselves for greater peace of mind and more comprehension and appreciation of life and the universe.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great read for any practicing yogi. Bell, a yoga teacher, makes Pantanjali's eightfold path accessible to any practitioner (and any non-asana practitioner who's looking for a bit of philosophy, although I wouldn't recommend this as a first choice for a non-asana practitioner). There are many nuggets of goodness in this read, some that affected the current moment as I was reading, and some that will affect my asana practice for years to come.

A yogini friend recommended this read to me, and I'm glad she did. I'll readily recommend it to those looking to learn more about the teachings of Pantanjali and the Buddha, and how we can apply their lessons to our lives today.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for studied and compassionate instruction on how the Eight-Fold Path of Buddhism and the Eight Limbs of Yoga can work together to complement and deepen one's meditation and asana practices. Author Charlotte Bell is an Iyengar instructor and her references to poses are all based on that style, and I've not tried Iyengar, but I found all her shared experiences about her yoga practice to be relatable and relevant nonetheless.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life. I lost my copy and my life almost went into a tailspin...a new one is on the way though and so i'm ok now. It's not so much about yoga as it is about Buddhism, happiness, and awareness. It calms me, makes me introspective, and makes me feel good EVERY time i read it. love this book.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read most of this book just before going on a yoga retreat and was very glad I did. Charlotte Bell takes you through the lessons that she has learned from practicing yoga over many years. This book helped my experience by helping me tap into a more meaningful meditation practice and living a mindful life.

[Peri Kinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love yoga, you need to read this book. This is my yoga bible that I come back to over and over to remind myself the importance of mindfulness and living consciously.

Nothing sarcastic to say. Highly unusual.
Thanks, Charlotte!

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my very first "yoga read" and opened my heart to exploring the 8 limbs. The author does an excellent job of making the reader comfortable with each limb by expressing her personal journey with yoga.

[Sarah]

The Asana suggestions at the end of each section were useful, but the book was kind of self help-ish.

[Lisa Lueken · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you are interested in yoga philosopy this is a great book that searches further into the 8 limbs of yoga and how these principles apply to our daily lives off the mat.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is wonderful for anyone, even those who do not practice yoga. It's all about cultivating mindfulness in your daily life.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the author.

[Joseph Workman]

I will be rereading this book through this weird journey called life. I just love the simple approach to the complexity that is our existence.

[Britney · Rating 2 out of 5]

There would be no way I was reading this without it having to be for a class. Yeah.. it's alright, if you're into that sort of thing.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is life changing.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on yoga sutras and how to live a full life that I've read over the years.