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Journey to Joyful: Transform Your Life with Pranashama Yoga
In this uplifting guide packed with health tips, dietary recommendations, and inspirational affirmations, Dashama introduces her own brand of yoga for self-transformation. The book introduces Pranashama Yoga, developed by Dashama as a combination of arts that works with the physical and spiritual energy of the body. Pranashama Yoga draws on various styles of yoga (Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Anusara, and Power), martial arts (T’ai Chi, Qigong), and Thai yoga therapy.
Dashama includes clear explanations of the yoga philosophy underlying her program and shares her own journey to her present success as a leading yoga teacher. Tackling the problem of addiction and its impact on family and individual happiness, Dashama presents alternative visions of healing and mental peace through the time-tested, drug-free path of yoga. She concludes the book with useful exercises to help students on their own journeys to joyful living: self-assessment writing assignments, quizzes, and a four-stage diet and weight-loss program that incorporates yogic breathing and positive-thinking exercises. Illustrated throughout with black and white photographs, Journey to Joyful is designed for readers interested in yoga, natural food, weight loss, and positive thinking.
Dashama includes clear explanations of the yoga philosophy underlying her program and shares her own journey to her present success as a leading yoga teacher. Tackling the problem of addiction and its impact on family and individual happiness, Dashama presents alternative visions of healing and mental peace through the time-tested, drug-free path of yoga. She concludes the book with useful exercises to help students on their own journeys to joyful living: self-assessment writing assignments, quizzes, and a four-stage diet and weight-loss program that incorporates yogic breathing and positive-thinking exercises. Illustrated throughout with black and white photographs, Journey to Joyful is designed for readers interested in yoga, natural food, weight loss, and positive thinking.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Dashama Konah Gordon
2 books12 followersInternational Speaker, Author and Joyologist, Dashama was a key note presenter at the United Nations International Day of Happiness in honor of the Kingdom of Bhutan in 2016 and was inducted into the Stanford Happiness Hall of Fame in 2019. She is an innovator in the field of yoga, health and wellness. Author of Journey to Joyful, and several other books, CEO of Flow State Institute, she leads yoga teacher trainings and retreats internationally in Europe, Bali and other exotic locations. Dashama was one of the first yoga teachers on Youtube in 2006, where her videos have over 20 million views online. She launched the first online yoga challenge with her 30 day yoga challenge which went viral on YouTube reaching millions of people catalyzing a global trend of online yoga challenges eventually making yoga a mainstream popular practice world wide. Dashama has spent over 16 years traveling the world teaching people how to find healing, joy, peace and fulfillment through yoga, meditation and healthy lifestyle practices. She is also a multi-media producer with 33 instructional DVDs, multiple ebooks and audio programs distributed internationally through walmart.com, bestbuy.com, barnes&noble.com, and target.com. Featured and interviewed in notable media including Oprah.com, CBS, Fox, Discovery Channel, ABC, Sunday Times UK, Livestrong, Times of India, Inc, Teen Vogue, Men's Health, Cosmo, and Forbes.com, Dashama has partnered with numerous global corporate brands such as Gopro, Nike, Waldorf Astoria, Sony Motion Picture Studios, Puma, and Vitamix to name a few. Connect with her on YouTube, Facebook, instagram and all platforms @dashama or download the Flow State app and join her global community dedicated to health & healing for the world. She is also the creator of Children are the Future, a non profit research initiative with Harvard Dr Sat Bir Khalsa, focused on globalizing the health benefits of yoga and meditation for children in schools.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 16, 2011
The Solemnity and Celebration of the Body Temple and Soul
Dashama Konah Gordon's newest venture in writing, JOURNEY TO JOYFUL, is one of those reading experiences that is felt internally as well as delighting the eye and brain. One of the reasons her book on the practice of Pranashama Yoga is so poignant is her sharing of her own life journey - an unwanted child of substance abuse parents separated from two of her siblings at age seven, finding her way back into life through the practice of yoga. Throughout the book she graciously shares aspects of her life that cried to be mended and how she found that reconstruction through all aspects of yoga.
For those who are new to the practice of this centuries-old form of spiritual and corporal affirmation she offers frequent definitions: 'Pranashama Yoga literally translates to 'prana': sacred life force energy and 'shama': calming of the mind. Sacred life force energy that calms the mind and create union with all of existence.' In a very conversational manner she then leads the reader through the various forms of living by yoga, pausing to share aspects like the three emotional prison keepers (expectations, attachment, judgment), and the importance of caring for the body (our temple) by comfortably discussing diet, meditation, exercises, and ways to transform the quiet energy that comes into the body through these practices into life changes. Yes, there are many very fine books dealing with the practice of yoga, but few are as gently seductive as this very well written and designed book.
One aspect of Dashama Konah Gordon's communication of her beliefs is her utter honesty and genuine compassion for the reader. She tackles questions about yoga that many disbelievers have. For instance, she writes 'When people ask me if yoga is a religion, I smile and answer 'not at all'. Although there are certain styles and schools of yoga that embrace and interweave their own religious views, Pranashama Yoga embraces all views while honoring Love and Unity above all else. As you may have noticed, I often quote masters, saints, and enlightened people throughout this book and other teachings. I do this to illustrate the point that they are all brilliant and connected deeply to the Supreme Source. They each have their own spin on this life experience, and much of what they offer is valid and applicable, even after thousands of years. Truth is Timeless. Love is Eternal. Bliss is Infinite. We are All One. United at the Supreme Source.' It is this selfless sharing of information and ideas and experiences that draws the reader to her and engenders the commitment to follow her lead.
Grady Harp
Dashama Konah Gordon's newest venture in writing, JOURNEY TO JOYFUL, is one of those reading experiences that is felt internally as well as delighting the eye and brain. One of the reasons her book on the practice of Pranashama Yoga is so poignant is her sharing of her own life journey - an unwanted child of substance abuse parents separated from two of her siblings at age seven, finding her way back into life through the practice of yoga. Throughout the book she graciously shares aspects of her life that cried to be mended and how she found that reconstruction through all aspects of yoga.
For those who are new to the practice of this centuries-old form of spiritual and corporal affirmation she offers frequent definitions: 'Pranashama Yoga literally translates to 'prana': sacred life force energy and 'shama': calming of the mind. Sacred life force energy that calms the mind and create union with all of existence.' In a very conversational manner she then leads the reader through the various forms of living by yoga, pausing to share aspects like the three emotional prison keepers (expectations, attachment, judgment), and the importance of caring for the body (our temple) by comfortably discussing diet, meditation, exercises, and ways to transform the quiet energy that comes into the body through these practices into life changes. Yes, there are many very fine books dealing with the practice of yoga, but few are as gently seductive as this very well written and designed book.
One aspect of Dashama Konah Gordon's communication of her beliefs is her utter honesty and genuine compassion for the reader. She tackles questions about yoga that many disbelievers have. For instance, she writes 'When people ask me if yoga is a religion, I smile and answer 'not at all'. Although there are certain styles and schools of yoga that embrace and interweave their own religious views, Pranashama Yoga embraces all views while honoring Love and Unity above all else. As you may have noticed, I often quote masters, saints, and enlightened people throughout this book and other teachings. I do this to illustrate the point that they are all brilliant and connected deeply to the Supreme Source. They each have their own spin on this life experience, and much of what they offer is valid and applicable, even after thousands of years. Truth is Timeless. Love is Eternal. Bliss is Infinite. We are All One. United at the Supreme Source.' It is this selfless sharing of information and ideas and experiences that draws the reader to her and engenders the commitment to follow her lead.
Grady Harp
June 14, 2013
I absolutely love this book. What is best about this book is that I found out about it after doing some of Dashama's Tutorials on youtube. I love the way she explains things detailed enough to where you don't get confused and you can feel your body molding the way it should in the pose as she is giving directions. After loving some of her videos so much, I decided to see if she had any books and I'm really glad that she didn't do one that is generic and has poses shown through pictures. Her story is what makes the book stand out. I also like the positivity and happiness she shows through her videos and in this book. This book inspired me to keep going with my yoga practice because at times I feel that I will never get to the next level. It made me realize that the enjoyment I get from doing the yoga is what makes me keep coming back and each day I will continue to improve just by continuing the practice. My ultimate goal is to one day go to a yoga retreat that Dashama offers herself! This is a must-read for any person that has ever tried any type of yoga.
May 31, 2012
Whenever a teacher claims to be presenting their own 'brand' of yoga, my bullshit metre chimes a warning. This book is no exception. All of the techniques and philosophy offered in this book can be found in any teacher training manual the world over. The author didn't 'invent' this stuff, there's nothing original about her ideas or methods. The books is poorly written, horribly edited and incredibly tedious.
April 7, 2014
If you’re thinking about beginning Yoga, this is the book for you. This book explains the basic purpose of yoga, which is to increase an individual’s spirituality. The book encourages positive thinking. The author shows through examples from her own life how being positive can change your life. The book encourages a healthy life style that we all could use. This book will encourage you to find true joy in life, and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a more all-round healthy life.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews