Book that inspired you to take up yoga?

[Meryl]

Mine was Light on Yoga, about 25 years ago. Anyone else recall reading something early on that made them interested in pursuing the practice?

[Em]

My introduction to yoga about 35 years ago:

Richard Hittleman's Yoga: 28 Day Exercise Plan

[Meryl]

Wow, Michele. 35 years ago!

[Meryl]

Wow, Michele. 35 years ago!

[Elizabeth]

Autobiography of a Yogi
45 years ago

[Em]

Meryl wrote: "Wow, Michele. 35 years ago!"

I was a teen. :) I had a cousin who gave the book to my mother, and I thought it looked interesting since I was into gymnastics, cheerleading and other "acceptable" forms of physical activity at that time. Through the years, I practiced yoga on and off and even took from teachers, but no one ever addressed any thing other than the physical side of it. However, I always felt good after practicing, so it was something I was drawn to over and over. It was only about six years ago that I found yoga teachers who addressed aspects of yoga other than asana.

[Meryl]

Funny story, Michele. When I first came to yoga more than 25 years ago, I thought it was only physical exercises. But soon after I became a regular at my gym's yoga class, I asked the teacher for a book to recommend (beyond the one, Light on Yoga, I had read). She suggested Swami Satchinanda's To Know Your Self. That book dealt only with the non-physical aspects, and at first, I couldn't understand what that had to do with yoga!

[Monette]

Mine would also be Light on Yoga—almost 25 years ago! I think the phenomenon of coming to yoga for the physical benefits and staying around long enough to discover the spiritual ones is a common path. Every time I say, "I'm going to yoga" I cringe a little because I know in my heart that my yoga is part of everything I do—on & off the mat. I like to think that my book helps shift that misconception a bit by demystifying yoga's eight limbs and making them accessible to people from more traditional religious backgrounds. And I inscribe every book I sign with the message, "Live your yoga," because I believe that's how yoga is truly practiced. Thanks for the reminder, Meryl & Michelle!

[Em]

Monette wrote: "Mine would also be Light on Yoga—almost 25 years ago! I think the phenomenon of coming to yoga for the physical benefits and staying around long enough to discover the spiritual ones is a common pa..."

Monette, I agree with your statement, "...I know in my heart that my yoga is part of everything I do—on & off the mat." That's what I've discovered in the past six years.