Customer Reviews

Breathing Space: Twelve Lessons for the Modern Woman

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a good book if you're looking for light reading with some helpful breathing exercises included at the end of the chapter. I wouldn't turn to this for anything much deeper. The author is honest about her insecurities, which seems whiny to some but I think is a very real reflection of what many of us go through. This book may be overly simplified and full of philosophical one-liners, but it's exactly what I need when life seems too complicated and overwhelming. Definitely not a life changing book, but great for leisure reading - think beach or plane. I'm not sure I agree that this book would appeal to all audiences. It definitely has a chick lit(erature) feel that forces me to read the book in small doses.

I felt compelled to write a review on this book for a few reasons. One, because I really enjoyed it, and the lessons it imparts, and another because I'm astounded by some of the negative comments from other reviewers. The thing I like about this book, is that it is written by someone who has the guts to expose her vulnerabilities, in order to help others, and heal herself. She comes across as very human, both in her strengths and her weaknesses, and I think most women can relate to some of the feelings and problems she is faced with. I don't know why people are so mean spirited (calling her whiny), and judgmental. It may be cliché, but truly no one is perfect, and we're all just on a journey, trying to find our best path in life. People need to get off their high horse, and stop expecting the writer [and Alan] to be so God-like. I have met him, just once, and he really does seem very wise, kind, and compassionate. I can't wait to take one of his classes. Thank you Katrina, and ignore the unnecessarily cruel comments from other readers...they are just people who will never be happy because they expect perfection from people, something which is unattainable.

I loved this book. It is engaging, warm, informative, real and life changing. As a student and teacher of yoga I found it helpful on both levels. The narrative weaves so nicely into the instruction, each exercise building on the previous one. Katrina and Alan give the reader the tools necessary for self-empowerment and well-being. Truly, an inspiring read.

ANYONE who has met Alan Finger, knows that all of what Katrina writes is true. I applaud her for exposing herself so completely and creating a way to incorporate Alans teachings and the basic teachings of Yoga, into her life story. We could all use these teachings to help us navigate through life's challenging obstacles. What Alan teaches is so positive and humane, and Katrina's story of how she wrestled with herself all make for a good read and leave an inspiring after taste. As a man living in NYC, even I found useful lessons here.

This book is funny, light hearted and intelligently written. I would recommend it to anyone who loves yoga or is interested in finding out more.

I loved this book. It is an easy guide that really does impact your life! The writing is great and although I haven't had experiences similar to Katrina, it still spoke to me. This should be a series (i.e. motherhood, etc.) because I would buy them all...

I found this book to be wonderfully engaging, compelling & cheering. It's inspiring. Makes me want to breathe deeply & go practice yoga more often. I hope everyone reads this & finds their own way towards something deeper & better in life. It's a great read.

What an amazing book! The lessons are life changing. The writer spoke to my heart. My story is diferent from Katrina but the lessons will work for anyone. This is a book I will keep as a referece for life.
D J Sherman

I hesitate to write a negative review because I know the work that goes into any book, but I must comment on this one. To be brief:
* The author's premise of having a yoga guru give her breathing lessons which just happen to solve the specific psychological problems she's having at the moment strains the reader's credulity.
* I found the writing style, especially during Alan Finger's yoda-like pronouncements, to be preachy-- even cheesy.
* Frankly, the relationship as it unfolded between Finger and the author seemed both implausible and downright creepy to me.
* The guru is giving out advice on "balance" and "addiction," but is overweight , has high cholesterol, and is unable to follow his doctor's recommendations concerning diet. This weakness is chuckled at as evidence of his humanness. His humanness seems all too evident to me.
* All twelve breathing techniques are contained in superior books written by people who have been in the field for years and know what they're about. Read anything by Dennis Lewis, or "The Miracle of the Breath," by Andy Caponigro, and skip this "life in the big city and how my guru saved me in 12 easy breathing lessons."

I have discovered the joys of Yoga and Pilates and I love reading about books that look to incorporate Yoga practices into daily life.

I really, really wanted to love this book - but I just could not.

While I thought the basic messages coming out of the book was great - look inwards, breathe before you do anything you will regret, believe in yourself, look to yoga, meditation, writing as a way of expressing yourself, I absolutely HATED the Katrina.

She felt whiny and needy and frankly, I wanted to just smack some logic into her. She sits there like a wet blanket - waiting for everyone to tell her what to do - how to do it and why to do it. Yes, yoga is about listening to what is going on around you and inside of you, but I think the author has wisdom and being needy and whiny.

I kept thinking - 'I am expected to understand your pain and your confusion - while you spend your days going to yoga classes, writing classes and meet up wit your friends'. 'Yes, your relationship with your guy is so-so, but whatever you do, don't try to communicate with him or understand him or you better - just complain about it and feel sorry for yourself'. I suppose the concept of getting a job (yeah, I know immigration issues) never entered her mind (I mean a job where she actually has to commit to a schedule and deal with peers and bosses).

As for Alan, he sounds like this guy who believes his own press a little too much. The guy is a Yogis, but lives in a nice apt in New York City, goes to the Hamptons for the summer!!!! There is a huge disconnect here for me.

Maybe I missed the point of this book completely and I hope I have - but an overweight preaching man is not my idea of a yogi!

It took me over 1 month to finish this book when usually I could go through a book I enjoy in about 10 days.

Sorry, this book did nothing for me except make me cringe.