Happy Yoga: 7 Reasons Why There's Nothing to Worry about [Paperback]

****

This is a lovely book ostensibly about yoga (and it is), but more than that, about life. It is about how ordinary people can learn from yogic wisdom and apply it to our mainstream lives. It is about how to be enlightened, simply and happily, rather than rigorously and with struggle.

Full of wisdom and strong opinions from the author (especially about veganism---the author is a vegan), you may not agree with everything, but you will enjoy this book greatly and learn a lot. It will make you think and examine your beliefs. It will also make you happy---the subtitle is "7 Reasons Why There's Nothing to Worry About". An example of one secret: "You Can't Get Happy (You Can Only Be Happy)".

There are brief questions for reflection throughout the book. It is well-organized.

People who will enjoy and benefit from this book are:

Those who practice yoga very seriously.

Those who have never tried yoga and who wonder what it's all about.

Those who think a lot and who spend time worrying.

Those who want to "wake up", sensing that they are sleepwalking through their lives and missing something.

Other very serious people.

This is a happy book, although I wouldn't call it light. It's not heavy, either, though. "Fun" and "deep" would be the best description...well..."happy"---and thus unique. I really enjoyed it. Oftentimes I'd feel happy and blissful just reading it and contemplating on the points the author would make.

The only negative about the book is that the yoga postures at the end of each chapter are very advanced---many at the contortionist level---with instructions not anywhere near beginner level. I just looked at the pictures. However, it would be very easy for an uninformed reader to injure themselves while attempting to follow the instructions and illustrations. It would also give a beginner new to yoga the misguided idea that they can't do yoga because it's too hard for them at their fitness level. Untrue! The yoga postures are not, however, vital to the book and can simply be skipped. Still, for this reason I give this wonderful book only four stars.

****

I discovered Steve Ross on the Oxygen network's morning yoga program, "Inhale." I had been cruising along with my light and lovely Suzanne Deason, the strong and gentle Rodney Yee, and the soothing tones of Patricia Walden--all happy members of my video and DVD yoga collection. While surfing through the TiVo listings one day, I came across Steve's yoga program, and my life hasn't been the same since.How happy I was to find Steve's book, Happy Yoga: 7 Reasons Why There's Nothing to Worry About! I happened across it before going on a plane trip, and practically devoured the whole book on the to and from flights, using the yoga sequences listed in the book while on the ground. This book is not a yoga how-to manual--it's a yoga why-to manual. Yes, the poses are there, but this is not a book about getting the poses just so. The yoga Steve shows you is the essence of yoga, the essence of Self, and the finding of joy.The book gives you just what it says: seven reasons why there's nothing to worry about. The chapter on food alone makes the book worth buying, even if you never decide to be a raw foodie vegan (I'm not, but it sure was great, enlightening reading). In each chapter, Steve connects to yogic wisdom, real-world examples, and just plain common sense to give you a true guide to living a yogi's life, even in the hustle and bustle of 21st century America. As he says, anyone can be a deeply connected yogi in a cave in India. It takes talent to do it in the midst of our every day lives.Steve Ross is an irreverent yoga instructor and life guide--just what the "yoga industry" needs, IMO. Try the book, do the Inner Yoga exercises, and watch your life come more into focus. And don't forget to try the playlist selections conveniently provided at the end of each chapter. You'll never do yoga to New Age chanting CDs again!

I've been reading this book for the past 3 weeks along with practicing yoga using Steve's program and I do feel calmer and more at peace, as well as stronger and more comfortable in my body.
The book features lessons followed by suggested exercises (mental as well as physical) that can guide you on your journey. I've been to many yoga classes and found that they can be indimitading and pretentious to newcomers. This book explains the principles of yoga in a way that beginners can understand and feel in sync when practicing with more experienced others.
Every lesson had has inspired me - I can already tell that this will be a book that I pick up time & again.