Open Body: Creating Your Own Yoga [Paperback]

Todd Walton (Author), Vance Lawry (Drawings)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

I have written this book to help you overcome your fears and misconceptions about yoga, and to ignite your creative responses to your body.

Many people feel intimidated by yoga books and magazines featuring extremely limber practitioners demonstrating various yoga postures. They may cease their practice because they feel inferior, or because theyve hurt themselves trying to do more than their bodies are ready to do.

You need know nothing about yoga to understand and enjoy this book. My yoga is not the yoga of my friend. My yoga is not the yoga of the lithe person in the how-to book. My yoga is my personal response to the needs of my body.

For anyone suffering from pain and tension, either physical or emotional, and for those of you intent on improving your flexibility and strength, this book should prove helpful and thought-provoking. I hope it will enhance your relationship to your most miraculous creation--you.

Welcome.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Todd Walton is a novelist, short story author and creative writing teacher. OPEN BODY is his first nonfiction title. He lives in Berkeley, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 105 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books; 1st edition (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380795353
• ISBN-13: 978-0380795352
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,515,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Todd Walton was born in San Francisco in 1949. His first novel, INSIDE MOVES, was published in 1978 by Doubleday and made into a motion picture with a screenplay by Barry Levinson and directed by Richard Donner. Todd's second novel, FORGOTTEN IMPULSES, was published in 1980 by Simon and Schuster and was chosen by The New York Times as one of the best novels of that year. LOUIE & WOMEN was published by Dutton in 1983, and NIGHT TRAIN was published by Mercury House in 1986. His fifth novel, RUBY & SPEAR, was published by Bantam in 1996. His first non-fiction work OPEN BODY: CREATING YOUR OWN YOGA was published by Avon in 1998. Todd's fable OF WATER AND MELONS was published by Red Wing Press in 1999. In May of 2000, 10-Speed published THE WRITER'S PATH, a book of Todd's original writing exercises. BUDDHA IN A TEACUP: TALES OF ENLIGHTENMENT was published by Lost Coast Press in 2008, and UNDER THE TABLE BOOKS, a novel of stories, was published by Lost Coast Press in 2009. Todd is currently writing the sequel to UNDER THE TABLE BOOKS. Todd was the founding Chair of the Creative Writing Department of the California State Summer School for the Arts from 1986-1991 where he developed many of the innovative writing exercises for THE WRITER'S PATH. In addition to his writing, Todd is a professional musician. His wife is the cellist Marcia Sloane. Their collaborative CD WHEN LIGHT IS YOUR GARDEN contains nine original songs for cello, guitar, piano, and voice. Todd also plays the incidental music on the audio versions of his books and stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures the spirit of yoga wonderfully, September 7, 1999

By 

"mayborn" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Open Body: Creating Your Own Yoga (Paperback)

This book was so inspiring. I have read many books on yoga, but this one is special. Although I think it is important to try the classical postures, this book eloquently and yet simply captures the way that those postures *should* be attempted, with care and respect for one's individual body, and with the goal of healing all aspects of the self. Both inspiring and wonderfully restful to read, this is a special book indeed. :) For beginners, I would highly recommend this book along with a more classic introductory book, and for more advanced students, I think this book will be refreshing and a joy. Thanks. :)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A blend of art and gentle, creative yoga, December 14, 1998

By 

[e-mail] or Bonnie Young (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Open Body: Creating Your Own Yoga (Paperback)

I loved this book. The drawings of bodies in motion are spontaneous and full of life. The author's ideas about 'creating your own yoga' are inspiring. After reading the book, I am reminded during the day of many possible gentle ways to keep the body in motion. Stretching is so lovely! I think I would enjoy reading this book again and again, because the book has a calming effect upon me. A sense of peacefulness comes across the pages.

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Book, March 9, 2010

By 

Neal Ghoshal "Sacred Moves" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Open Body: Creating Your Own Yoga (Paperback)

Todd Walton's Book is an excellent reminder of what yoga should really be about - making friends with your body, with your Self. His approach is so very kind, and for me, an awakened heart is a kind heart. Thank you Todd. Highly recommended.

Neal Ghoshal