Yoga and Vegetarianism: The Path to Greater Health and Happiness [Paperback]

Sharon Gannon (Author), Ingrid Newkirk (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 2008

Drawing on both the author's extensive studies of Vedic traditions and her longtime interest in animal rights, Yoga and Vegetarianism shows how the physical and spiritual practice of yoga is historically and structurally tied to a vegetarian lifestyle. When they are used in tandem, she argues, they form a strong framework for physical and spiritual attunement and promote an overall healthy life. Yoga and Vegetarianism emphasizes the importance of understanding of Ahimsa, the practice of non-harming and nonviolence, as the first step in marrying yoga and vegetarianism. All actions, says Gannon, originate as thoughts, so the "perfection of action" that yoga strives for must come from a perfect thought. What is a perfect thought? According to the book, it is a thought free of selfish desire, anger, and hate. This brings us back to Ahimsa and to vegetarianism. Freeing oneself of needless cruelty, harm, and injustice — which includes eating meat — can transform both the individual and the world. This book shows how.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"David [Life] and Sharon [Gannon] have inspired and encouraged us to think of yoga not just as a system of exercises but as a door to the infinite." — Sting

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Mandala Publishing; 1 edition (November 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601090218
• ISBN-13: 978-1601090218
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Compassionate View on Oneness, June 5, 2009

By 

Ana Lewis "coopweb" (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Yoga and Vegetarianism: The Path to Greater Health and Happiness (Paperback)

Being a vegetarian who has a daily yoga practice, I have read many books on both subjects. This was the first book that made me take a hard look as to why I had not made the commitment to veganism.

This compassionate viewpoint utilizes a step-by-step yoga method that reminds us via our daily practice that we are all part of the "oneness" of our planet.

I have typically been a little self conscious being around some vegans. Vegans are compassionate at heart and really very kind in purpose, but I would feel guilty about the fact that I have a hard time giving up cheese. This book was written so that I now have a hard time even looking at cheese.

I cried at the very real descriptions of the life of a dairy cow, and even though much of was not new news, Sharon Gannon communicates the message in such a heartfelt manner that it hits home.

This book contains many gifts and it will affect your life. One simple gift was my now gratitude toward PETA... being a peaceful soul, I always steered clear of taking a stance, but these fearless people have a new place in my heart.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and a gift to all students and teachers of yoga, November 22, 2008

By 

Shantih (charleston, sc) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yoga and Vegetarianism: The Path to Greater Health and Happiness (Paperback)

Every yoga teacher and student should read this book. It is informative, insightful, and best of all, it relates a vegetarian/vegan diet to all five of Master Patanjali's yamas. Usually, only ahimsa (not causing pain) is linked to a veggie diet. But Gannon gives reasons that maybe you had yet to think about...GO Vegan! Thank you for this.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'll read this again -- with a highlighter, March 20, 2009

By 

Victoria Moran "Victoria" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yoga and Vegetarianism: The Path to Greater Health and Happiness (Paperback)

I am so taken with this book. I've done yoga since I was eighteen and I've been a vegetarian almost that long, but Gannon's exploration of the Yoga Sutras and their intimate connection to a compassionate way of living and eating is as fresh and new here as if this were the first book on these subjects I ever read. Although the author's claim to fame is as an innovative yoga instructor and vegan activist, she's also an engaging writer who makes what could seem like advanced, esoteric teachings readily accessible. I do want to go back over the book and highlight passages -- so many of her sentences are little jewels, both for my own understanding of these topics and to share with other people.