Bringing Yoga to Life: The Everyday Practice of Enlightened Living (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Monday night is the evening for beginners at the studio, and although it is only five-thirty the winter sky has begun to darken as students..." (more)
Key Phrases: executive ego, asana practice, habitual mind, Ashtanga Yoga, Indra Devi, Baba Hari Dass (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Farhi (Yoga Mind, Body, and Spirit; The Breathing Book) explains how to begin the process of integrating the principles of yoga into daily living. This is not a book for seekers of a quick self-help fix; Farhi points out "the ancient science of Yoga does not pretend to be simple, quick, or easy." Rather, it's for readers interested in learning about the origins of yoga and using this deeper understanding to bring slow improvement to mind and body. Slow is an operative word-there's even a chapter on slowing down, which is the "precursor to yoga practice because this simple act allows us to consider our thoughts, feelings, and actions more carefully in the light of our desire to live peacefully." Other chapters address becoming one's own teacher, trusting what one does not fully comprehend, and getting through roadblocks (such as sloth and feelings of inadequacy) on the path to enlightened living. Each chapter contains anecdotes of the small ways in which yoga reaches into everyday people's everyday lives-and these stories elucidate the power of yoga in ways no theoretical teachings can.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Farhi, a well-known yoga teacher who divides her time between New Zealand and the U.S., has taught for over 26 years and authored two previous books. This especially thoughtful treatise about the relationship of yoga practice to everyday life is well written and aimed at both new and longtime practitioners of yoga. Farhi combines her knowledge of classic yoga philosophy with insights from her years of practice and teaching. She was personally challenged by eating disorders and perfectionist tendencies, and learned that true yoga practice is not found in transient physical attainments, such as mastering difficult poses or sitting for longer periods of meditation, but rather in taking a more spiritual approach. To that end, she guides the reader to seek a deeper spiritual level in order to use yoga learning to live everyday life with more authenticity and compassion. Jane Tuma
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (September 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060091142
• ISBN-13: 978-0060091149
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #307,287 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Donna Farhi Takes Yoga Beyond The Asanas To It's Depths, December 29, 2003

By	Yoga Dad - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Donna Farhi is one of the most knowledgeable, sincere, interesting and open minded Yoga teacher/writers that I am aware of, and she has given all of us the gift of another wonderful book.

Her deep and profound knowledge of all aspects of Yoga, both from a Physical and Spiritual perspective is always apparent in her writing and anyone can reap benefits from her books no matter what style (or styles) of yoga you embrace, as she is not bound by any one school of yoga.

In "Bringing Yoga To Life" Donna Farhi goes beyond the postures and moves deeply into the heart of yoga, the practice of yoga in one's day to day life.

Still, you can also bring your actual physical practice of Yoga "to life" by incorporating an awareness of the 8 limbs. This will help you deepen and internalize your asana practice.

This is one of many excellent books that have recently surfaced that take Yoga beyond the postures and show how it can have a profound relevance to real life, beyond the work one does on their sticky mat (or mysore rug). Among these other books I highly recommend "Yoga And The Quest For The True Self" by Stephen Cope, "Yoga and the Path Of The Urban Mystic" by Darren John Main and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy by Michael Lee.

Namaste

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Questions answered, December 2, 2003

By A Customer

Soon after practicing yoga and finding myself changing in strange and remarkable ways, I felt I needed a book that might explain the less obvious "benefits" of yoga other than physical fitness. I now read a chapter or two of this book every night and so far I have the feeling that I am conversing with a very wise, benevolent, and understanding teacher. Donna Farhi has a way of communicating exactly what I, at least, have been wondering and feeling about me, my yoga practice, and life. I will send this book to my closest friends.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Gem, July 26, 2006

By	Tom (DeKalb, IL) - See all my reviews

I really treasure my copy of Donna Farhi's "Bringing Yoga to Life." No matter how many times I've read it, I can always pick it up and glean some new insight or perspective from any passage. Her writing reflects genuine depth, wisdom, and experience, and she has a real gift for expressing sentiments that we intuitively realize but may not yet be able express ourselves. Note that this is not your typical manual of physical postures (there are certainly plenty of those available), but a very unique work that speaks to the process of integrating one's practice into daily life (which is what yoga is really about). Highly recommended.