Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get On the Mat, Love Your Body. Kindle Edition

I thought this would just be about the physical, technical aspects of being a larger-bodied yogi – but Ms. Stanley has opened my mind up to the entire life-expanding scope of Yoga. And she shows practical application of that path through letting us in on the touching, sometimes messy and difficult lessons of her own life. I found this little book so well written! Never too self-deprecating, confessional, preachy, sanctimonious, precious. I’m so thankful she has made the choices in her life to bring us the gift of this book.Regarding the “profanity” objection so many reviews raise. I’m an older woman who doesn’t personally use profanity and I’m not crazy about hearing it from others. From reviews I expected there to be tons of objectionable language. In actuality, there’s not much - typically used to make a point, or be funny. And really, this is just how Ms. Stanley expresses herself. So what? Big deal. Though we may not want to accept it, girls, grown women, yogis, spiritually evolved folks might use profanity. This is just life. And life is what Ms. Stanley writes about.Finally, this is a really good looking book! The photos are bold and clear. The cover and pages are sturdy.

"Every Body Yoga" is a wonderful book: warm, funny, informative and uncompromising. I've read it through twice, now (now that I don't have to worry about following the plot), and have gotten more from it each time.As a fat, 63-year-old white broad who lives mostly in her head and has a million excuses, I thought my old ACL injury and mildly arthritic knees made me a perfect candidate to SKIP yoga. (Although, between you and me, I was really more concerned with not humiliating myself in front of a class of skinny young pipecleaners.) The fact that I read the book twice without skipping the exercises, is huge.Read the book. Put down your excuses. Prepare for hard work that is more than what you expected. Welcome the crap that comes up.It's all normal, and it's all good. And it comes to old, young, fat, skinny, white, black and beige alike.F*'kin A it does. :)

I loved this book and I love Jessamyn Stanley. Her books is a breath of authentic fresh air in a yoga culture saturated with inaccessible bodies, $150 yoga pants, and endless cringeworthy cultural appropriation. If you want to learn how to decolonize your yoga practice and begin accepting that physical asana - without ego - is only a tiny part of the yoga practice, I recommend making a date with this book immediately.

I was very excited to read this book as it is one of the few available that offers a diverse perspective. However, I’m struggling with some big errors including when the author says: “Yoga means “to yolk” (as in an egg yolk) versus the correct definition “to yoke”. Such a big typo. Also, she describes Ujjayi breath as “breathe in through your nose, out through your nose-but keep your mouth shut.” No mention of the throat lock. How did the author, readers, and editor not catch these HUGE errors?That being said, the author’s personal story and raw honesty are engaging and inspiring. She is actively living her yoga and shares how this practice has helped her in so many ways. I appreciate the tips she offers teachers and practitioners.

This is a great book for beginner yogis anxious about starting out and for teachers wanting to be more inclusive in their instruction. Jessamyn Stanley contributes to the development of modern yoga by discussing issues related to size, race, class, and other identities -- conversations that are missing at mainstream studios -- in a light and accessible way. She encourages everyone to be themselves on the mat and stick to yoga no matter what telling us that the miracle of serenity will happen if we commit. Highly recommended!

This book is life changing. I loved it so much, I purchased the Kindle version AND the paperback for myself, and sent another paperback to a friend. I also subscribed to CodyApp so I could use Jessamyn's workout videos. I have been doing her 'hip openers' series each day and already feel a big difference. The book is really uplifting because she talks about her personal journey through body image issues and how she came out on the other side (but how it's still an ongoing journey). She inspired me to take up yoga even though I have a lot of weight to lose. I already feel so much better and am making other positive changes in my life as a result. Thank you Jessamyn.

Great book! I love the color photographs of the yoga poses and the explanation of the different paths of yoga. It's not just the poses but deeper than that. The life lessons are honest and relatable. Definite must read!

If you’re less-than-open-minded, this may not be your book. Then again, it may open up your empathy for people not like yourself. While I share some similarities with Jessamyn, we are also quite different. I have off and on been drawn to yoga, but for more than the body-sculpting benefits it seems to be about most of the time. Every time I entered a class - with the exception of one teacher’s - I’ve been made to feel, through a combination of other’s and my own stuff, that this big body doesn’t belong there. Jessamyn opens up the possibilities for me and reminds me with wit and story how yoga may be approached many ways and with all or some of the limbs. (8 of them.) While I was reading this book, my daughter absconded my long neglected yoga mat. You’d think I’d be at least a little annoyed but I found myself happy she found yoga on her own while I was driving back to it. I just got a new mat for a fresh start. I look forward to returning to some of the sequences Jessamyn presents - and to reading the text that accompanies them.

If you have any reservations about starting a yoga practice, maybe you have a disability, an injury, or you're just not the stereotypical thin, athletic, terrifyingly bendy white woman, then this is the book for you. Its not just a book with a variety of yoga poses, there are personal stories, a historical and spiritual view of yoga, as well as a nice range of practices for different moods and moments in your life.The thing I loved most about this book is Jessamyn's honesty. She writes in such a personal and accessible manner, it's more like you're reading a friend's writing, someone you know well and can so easily empathise with. There are hilarious and heartbreaking stories, as well as great advice, including all the newbie yoga students questions and fears answered, but what really got me was how yoga has affected Jessamyn's life. If you think it's all just stretching then you're in for a surprise! I'm fairly skeptical by nature, but the health benefits of yoga for more than the physical have really interested me since reading this book.It's also lovely to find a book that is so full of body positivity and representation of different bodies participating in yoga. This book is all about self love and self acceptance, but it's not sacharine, it doesn't paper over the bad days nor make these lofty goals seem easy. This is not easy, but nothing of substance ever is.I may have only been practicing for a few days since I finished this book, but it got me on the mat and I'm looking for local classes. I would say that is 100% down to this book as I am admittedly a very unfit and sedate person. A fantastic motivational and educational tool that I'm sure I'll be referring to for a long time.

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic!!!!! I am a Yoga Teacher (size UK 18/20) and I ADORE this book. She is down to earth (with some fruity language) which I love and practical. She strips away all the myths regarding Yoga practise and gives practical solutions to problems that I've encountered. Loved the one about using a strap to keep your chest from strangling you in shoulder stand - I will definitely try that one! She gets back to the real essence of Yoga which is love yourself and love your body and don't give a s**t what anybody else thinks. The only Yoga book I have read right the way through and in that I include the Yogic texts that I needed to learn for my yoga teaching course! Would give is 10 stars if I could.

This book is really lovely and gives great advice for all who want to start yoga. I find Jessamyn to be inspiring and welcoming to all types of people, but especially yoga beginners who may not feel confident enough to start.

I don't usually write reviews, but after reading everybody yoga I feel I must.I have had some yoga experience, but it is fair to say I'm a bit out if practice. This book is a good mix of Jessamyn's personal life and experiences and how to guide.This book has given me the freedom to practice yoga anywhere. I plan to take it with me on honeymoon so I can practice on the beach.Would recommend to anyone.

This author and this book motivated my to take up yoga. Best thing ever.