Torah Yoga: Experiencing Jewish Wisdom Through Classic Postures (Arthur Kurzweil Books) [Paperback]

Diane Bloomfield (Author)

Book Description

Series: Arthur Kurzweil Books | Publication Date: April 8, 2004

This highly original book introduces a fascinating new approach to yoga and Torah by combining the practice of classic yoga postures with traditional and mystical Jewish wisdom. Each chapter begins by presenting a central Jewish spiritual concept that engages readers of all faiths on a personal level. It offers an in-depth exploration of the concept, quoting and commenting on sacred Jewish texts from the Pentateuch (Five Books of Moses) and other sources. It then guides its readers with mastery and clarity through a meditation and a set of fundamental yoga postures--clearly illustrated by beautiful photographs--for both beginning and advanced yoga students. The Torah concept is actualized and experienced through the practice of these postures. Torah Yoga helps to heighten awareness of body, mind, and spirit?it illuminates the heart of Jewish wisdom.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Students of Torah may never have considered yoga, just as students of yoga may never have considered Torah. Yet Bloomfield, a yoga instructor and longtime student of the Torah, seamlessly connects the two as she teaches readers how to engage body and breath while meditating on Jewish wisdom. Like any good teacher, Bloomfield carefully lays out her lesson plan and instantly engages her reader. She approaches her seven topics for reflection with a thoroughness employed by the most rigorous yeshiva student. At the same time, her posture instruction is clear and easily understood. Quoting the yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar, Bloomfield reminds us that "Yoga was given for the human race, not the Hindus... [it] is for the culturing of self and that self-culture has no barrier." She universalizes the Torah references and demonstrates a keen ability to unlock the plethora of doors found within the Hebrew language. For instance, Egypt is not only the land of ancient slavery; as she points out, with the change of a few vowels, the same Hebrew letters spell the word for "narrow straits." The center letters of the word, when paired, connote limitations and pain, yet are surrounded by letters that, when combined, spell the word for waterâ€""a symbol of unlimited possibilities... a harbinger of new life." Readers of any faith or athletic inclination should do their souls a favor and investigate this illuminating guide.
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Review

“…Hatha Yoga can enhance…spiritual practice [of other faiths] …Diane Bloomfield…has succeeded brilliantly examining this” (www.yogaandhealthmag.co.uk)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (April 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787970573
• ISBN-13: 978-0787970574
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #677,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Law
  • #84 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Prayerbooks

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An explosive,expansive mind,body and spirt journey., May 19, 2004

By 

R. Cohen (San Francisco,CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Torah Yoga: Experiencing Jewish Wisdom Through Classic Postures (Arthur Kurzweil Books) (Paperback)

Bloomfield touches the depths of one's body and soul in this beautifully written guide to studying both Torah and Yoga.There is a sense of ease and comfort in her wisdom and her teachings. The Yoga postures are easy to replicate and the photos enhance the warmth of the book. Whether a novice or a master, this book will want you coming back for more...a must read for anyone who embraces and desires to expand their essence.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written and interesting book..., June 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Torah Yoga: Experiencing Jewish Wisdom Through Classic Postures (Arthur Kurzweil Books) (Paperback)

Raised as a Presbyterian, a competitive swimmer, and a mathematician (order not important), I am not naturally drawn either to spiritual mysticism or yoga. This beautifully written and interesting book, however, has helped me to understand how one could be drawn to those things. My thanks to the author, who obviously cares very deeply about her subject.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Journey, June 9, 2004

By 

lorene k gilliksen (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Torah Yoga: Experiencing Jewish Wisdom Through Classic Postures (Arthur Kurzweil Books) (Paperback)

Diane offers several suggestions for how to read her book, Torah Yoga. My choice has been to read and reread the introduction. I love Diane's emphasis on first things: the word, the breath, attending to the foundation before moving into postures and finding the origins of our life journeys.
As a midwife, I work with women and families embarking on the life journey of pregnancy. Today in the U.S., alot of technology is available to evaluate the status of pregnancy. As a guide for pregnant women, I try to encourage them to trust their own intuition and the strength of their own bodies. Diane has given me the tools to promote this concept with women.
I've had the privilege to take Torah Yoga classes with Diane, I can hear her voice when I read the explanation of postures in her book. The directions are easy to follow. Perhaps I only want to read the introduction because I don't want to come to the end of the book. But the book is a guide to a journey. Diane has given me and everyone else who reads her book the encouragement we need to become our own guides.