Matthew Sanford’s life and body were irrevocably changed at age 13 when his family’s car skidded off a snowy Iowa overpass, killing Matt’s father and sister and leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. This pivotal event set Matt on a lifelong journey, from his intensive care experiences at the Mayo Clinic to becoming a paralyzed yoga teacher and founder of a nonprofit organization. Forced to explore what it truly means to live in a body, he emerges with an entirely new view of being a "whole" person. In this searingly candid memoir he delivers a powerful message about the endurance of the human spirit and of the body that houses it.
Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence
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"Losing his father, his sister—and his legs—in a terrible car accident at the age of 13 did not stop Matthew Sanford from living his life . . . In Waking, he offers a powerful, honest account of his battle: awakening a spirit within a damaged body."—Psychology Today "This is a riveting, heartbreaking, heart-opening saga. . . . Months after first reading it, I find myself appreciating his writing and the depth of his thinking more and more."—Nina Utne, Chair, Utne magazine "His paralysis has taught him powerful lessons about consciousness . . . [Sanford] will truly dare readers to appreciate their own bodies and lives."—Yoga Journal "From a hard-won understanding of how the body has intelligence and is an aspect of the soul, the author presents us with a new revitalizing vision of what it is to be human." —Susan Griffin, author of Woman and Nature
About the Author
MATTHEW SANFORD is the founder of the non-profit organization Mind Body Solutions. He specializes in adapting yoga to people living with disabilities and teaches workshops around the country. He currently resides in Orono, Minnesota.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
63 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I discovered this book while searching the web for information on yoga for people living with disabilities. Through a series of clicks I landed on Matthew Sanford's web site where I saw a photo of a young man leaning forward from his wheel chair, reaching over to adjust a student practicing a yoga standing pose.
I learned that the author is a leader in adapting Iyengar yoga to meet the needs of the individual. Matthew's mental awareness--as a result of a spinal cord injury--was literally knocked out of the lower two-thirds of his body. While doctors were able to keep him alive, he was not given the tools to reconnect his mind to his paralyzed body.
Matthew describes how for years after the devastating accident, from the chest down, he experiences a "schism" or "a form of silence" between his mind and his body. During his first months in the hospital and later periods in intensive care units there was so much pain that leaving his body became a survival skill. These experiences alone catapulted Matthew into unknown territory when it comes to understanding the mind and body.
In 1991, he began studying Iyengar yoga with Jo Zukovich, co-founder of the San Diego Yoga Studio. When they started, it was not clear how yoga would travel through his paralyzed body, and there were no examples to emulate. WAKING describes how teacher and student learned and adapted together.
In 1998, Matthew began to share the results of their work in an adaptive class for people with disabilities. About the same time, he began teaching people without disabilities. He found that the principles of yoga apply the same way in both cases. WAKING helps the reader to understand why the author's unique perspective is equally applicable for people who do not have his limitations.
Matthew's broader aim in writing this book and in teaching yoga is to infuse the importance of mind-body integration into the rehabilitation process. To this end, he offers workshops to healthcare professionals and yoga teachers alike. He uses his story to share how yoga is indeed a "waking" of the human consciousness. This is a book that can potentially revolutionize the thinking of physical therapists and anyone that works with people who are coping with past trauma and injuries. I recommend it with all my heart and soul!
--Suza Francina, author, The New Yoga for People Over 50 and The New Yoga for Healthy Aging.
I learned that the author is a leader in adapting Iyengar yoga to meet the needs of the individual. Matthew's mental awareness--as a result of a spinal cord injury--was literally knocked out of the lower two-thirds of his body. While doctors were able to keep him alive, he was not given the tools to reconnect his mind to his paralyzed body.
Matthew describes how for years after the devastating accident, from the chest down, he experiences a "schism" or "a form of silence" between his mind and his body. During his first months in the hospital and later periods in intensive care units there was so much pain that leaving his body became a survival skill. These experiences alone catapulted Matthew into unknown territory when it comes to understanding the mind and body.
In 1991, he began studying Iyengar yoga with Jo Zukovich, co-founder of the San Diego Yoga Studio. When they started, it was not clear how yoga would travel through his paralyzed body, and there were no examples to emulate. WAKING describes how teacher and student learned and adapted together.
In 1998, Matthew began to share the results of their work in an adaptive class for people with disabilities. About the same time, he began teaching people without disabilities. He found that the principles of yoga apply the same way in both cases. WAKING helps the reader to understand why the author's unique perspective is equally applicable for people who do not have his limitations.
Matthew's broader aim in writing this book and in teaching yoga is to infuse the importance of mind-body integration into the rehabilitation process. To this end, he offers workshops to healthcare professionals and yoga teachers alike. He uses his story to share how yoga is indeed a "waking" of the human consciousness. This is a book that can potentially revolutionize the thinking of physical therapists and anyone that works with people who are coping with past trauma and injuries. I recommend it with all my heart and soul!
--Suza Francina, author, The New Yoga for People Over 50 and The New Yoga for Healthy Aging.
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a book you will want to share with colleagues, patients, family and friends if you are in an integrative medicine healing practice. Those that "get" what you are doing will love it for its clear description of our vision. Those that don't "get" what you are doing, may very well after reading this extremely well written, passionate story. Matthew understands that yoga goes far beyond his personal experience or any story for that matter. He uses his story to share how yoga is indeed a "waking" of the human consciousness and a responsiblity for us all. His use of humor, irony and candor make for an engaging, personal experience while pushing the reader to look beyond their personal limits.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I became acquainted with Matthew Sanford through a National Public Radio interview. I was taken with his voice and his experiences. I immediately bought and read Waking.
Having had polio as a child, I went through much rehabilitation and many surgeries. Mr. Sanford's discovery of his power to determine his medical treatment was inspiring to me. This book should be required reading for every orthopedic physician, surgeon, and therapist.
Having had polio as a child, I went through much rehabilitation and many surgeries. Mr. Sanford's discovery of his power to determine his medical treatment was inspiring to me. This book should be required reading for every orthopedic physician, surgeon, and therapist.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
An entirely original perspective
Profoundly captivating for all yogis/yoginis, or for persons interested in disability adaptation, disability culture, or issues of difference in our society. Read more
Published 19 days ago by RiceMom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring
This book is a well written, inspiring story of how yoga goes beyond the postures to linking the energetic body to the mind. Read more
Published 1 month ago by KG
5.0 out of 5 stars
I doubt anyone can read this & remain unchanged
I've since bought this for several friends and fam members- a wide variety of types of people, but for yoga practitioners, its a must! Read more
Published 3 months ago by MamaDog
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Story
Matthew Sanford has an amazing story to tell. His journey through a devastating car crash details not only his physical challenges but the mental anguish he and his family had to... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jamie Gills-Takenouchi
5.0 out of 5 stars
book on a extraordinary woman Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence
I haven't finished reading it yet. Quite a story. Quite a woman. Told from the heart I have enjoyed it so far.
Published 5 months ago by Judith Razieli
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Book
This is an inspirational book showing the power of mind and body connections. I've bought several copies for gifts. Highly recommended.
Published 7 months ago by K. Ashbrook
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning
I read this book when I started working with a paraplegic client. Originally just looking for insight for my client, I found myself so moved by the beautiful honesty of Matthew's... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Dara Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing story of light and life in the midst of trauma
This is a wonderfully written book. I had read it before and decided I wanted my own copy. The second read was just as powerful as the first. Read more
Published 8 months ago by C. Mathis
4.0 out of 5 stars
roads previously not travelled
Matthew Sanford's memoir, "Waking," describes sensations, mind-body connections that doctors told him he couldn't make after a horrendous car accident left him a paraplegic at age... Read more
Published 10 months ago by sky
5.0 out of 5 stars
get out your hankie
This book is written with great humility and grace about extreme hardship and tragedy. How this young man works through severe pain and loss, and comes out into service to others... Read more
Published 11 months ago by bonnie brauer
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