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Yoga from the Inside Out: Making Peace With Your Body Through Yoga
Hatha yoga, the traditional practice for bringing balance to body, mind and spirit, is being coopted today by the beauty and fitness industry. Undermining yoga's original spiritual intention, many yoga classes and countless books enhance the "perfect body" syndrome, and thus support the war against the body that millions of women and men suffer today. This book is about making peace with ourselves, using Yoga as a journey from self-hatred into self-acceptance leading to spiritual practice. It is based in the principles of Anasura Yoga, a style of hatha yoga that integrates physical practice with inner body awareness and a deep connection to the heart. *gorgeous photos of regular women (not models or athletes) of all shapes and sizes, doing Yoga asanas.
148 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2003
17 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 11, 2011
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I first started this book. I bought it because it had been referenced in an article I was reading about restorative yoga, and it sounded interesting. Christina Sell does offer a lot of insight into the healing power of yoga (when practiced properly) and how important it is to move away from the commercialized brand of yoga that we see most often in society. A yoga class that is all about toning or losing weight or getting a "yoga butt" is not helping anyone heal the deeper issues they have with their body.
The only part of the book that I didn't find helpful or pleasing was the emphasis on spiritual gurus and using yoga as a way to connect with "the Divine." I don't really relate to any of those ideas, and I believe that if yoga is helping me connect with anything, it's myself and not some higher power. I skipped sections where she got a little too into the spiritual aspects of it, but I know that spirituality is an important facet is a lot of people's lives....just not mine.
Quotes I like from the book:
"My goal is not to be able to do the most perfect backbend, but to be able to be brought back into my body every single day. Because I need it. And every single day I need to reaffirm that it is okay to be exactly where I am."
"In Sanskrit, the word abhyasa means "tireless practice with devotion over a long period of time." Surrendering to the demand of abhyasa is the real message of this book. Making peace with the body is a practice, not an event. The practice is a journey through which we confront our fears and our conditioning and receive the opportunity to glimpse the greatness of our true nature."
"With each breath, with each pose, we can practice the yoga of 'be here now.' And now. And now...In the beauty, wonder, and simplicity of the moment, there is less room for the endless projections of self-hatred, body-oriented criticism and fear-based judgement."
The only part of the book that I didn't find helpful or pleasing was the emphasis on spiritual gurus and using yoga as a way to connect with "the Divine." I don't really relate to any of those ideas, and I believe that if yoga is helping me connect with anything, it's myself and not some higher power. I skipped sections where she got a little too into the spiritual aspects of it, but I know that spirituality is an important facet is a lot of people's lives....just not mine.
Quotes I like from the book:
"My goal is not to be able to do the most perfect backbend, but to be able to be brought back into my body every single day. Because I need it. And every single day I need to reaffirm that it is okay to be exactly where I am."
"In Sanskrit, the word abhyasa means "tireless practice with devotion over a long period of time." Surrendering to the demand of abhyasa is the real message of this book. Making peace with the body is a practice, not an event. The practice is a journey through which we confront our fears and our conditioning and receive the opportunity to glimpse the greatness of our true nature."
"With each breath, with each pose, we can practice the yoga of 'be here now.' And now. And now...In the beauty, wonder, and simplicity of the moment, there is less room for the endless projections of self-hatred, body-oriented criticism and fear-based judgement."
Want to read
February 11, 2011I am currently researching Anusara Yoga. This is a recommended book to becoming a yoga teacher and thought I would check it out. I'm a researcher and reader at heart. I thought it would be more about the practice of Anusara Yoga but it seems to be more about the impact of yoga on the author.
November 8, 2015
Discovering unlimited potential on our journey of discovery in the world of Yoga is not only exciting but also immensely rewarding. She progressively peels away misconceptions about the person and about life in general and reveals her true nature, which is uncomplicated and blissful.
February 15, 2009
Too lightweight, but a quick read! I was looking for a book showing the poses and teaching me the Sanskrit terms to go with the poses.
March 6, 2018
Christina invites me to consider making peace with my body. Within the kula of yoga I have an opportunity to allow space for self love, compassion, and beauty. In this way, I can open my heart to myself and in turn, others. Each pose then becomes an offering of acceptance, meeting myself exactly where I am in the present moment. Perfection is never the goal.
July 21, 2024
0 star for writing
0 star for research quality
1 star for premise
0 star for impact
0 star for personal taste
There were a few lines in here that I loved and were useful, but this one didn't age well. There's that whole John Friend business that sort of shoots a good bit of his mentions in the foot...
0 star for research quality
1 star for premise
0 star for impact
0 star for personal taste
There were a few lines in here that I loved and were useful, but this one didn't age well. There's that whole John Friend business that sort of shoots a good bit of his mentions in the foot...
July 13, 2018
I have to admit first of all that Christina Sell is my yogic teacher and advisor so I might be a little biased. A lot of the things that Christina has struggled with, I feel many people struggle with - the feeling of inadequacy, unworthy, body image and I'm really glad she brings this to light. A lot of times, you think that if you follow this spiritual yogic path, it's the panacea for all the ailments but it's nice to know that it's a process and a journey and if you don't feel that way, there's nothing wrong with you. I love the encouragement and the recommendations. I wish I had read this book sooner...
July 29, 2018
I gave up on this one after reading it half way through. The repetitive language, poorly- taken photographs and reverence toward her "guru" made the author sound like the member of a very exclusive cult.
August 23, 2010
This book is about yoga and body image. It's not an explanation of yoga poses but more an explanation of the philosophy of yoga (specifically Anusara Hatha Yoga). It also delves a lot into the spiritual aspects of yoga.
The author discusses how the current world influences us to make war with our bodies and that a spiritual practice of hatha yoga can help us overcome that war. What I really enjoyed were the stories of women she interviewed and their experience with working towards overcoming negative body image and making peace with themselves. I also loved the pictures. They are of average looking women, many of them overweight, in yoga poses. None of them fit the "ideal" yoga body type that the media advertises.
Even though I only seem to ever dabble in yoga, I found this book's message really helpful. A lot of what the author writes can be applied to all areas of life, whether or not you practice yoga. I especially liked that she writes of dedicating the yoga practice or making the intent of the practice to be about communicating with or honoring the Divine (or whatever it is that you feel spiritually connected with). I think anything we do can be approached the same way. For me specifically, I began practicing tai chi this summer and have fallen in love with it. This book has given me ideas on different ways to approach that practice. For others it could be anything from cleaning house, cooking food, playing a sport, or whatever it is that they enjoy.
The author discusses how the current world influences us to make war with our bodies and that a spiritual practice of hatha yoga can help us overcome that war. What I really enjoyed were the stories of women she interviewed and their experience with working towards overcoming negative body image and making peace with themselves. I also loved the pictures. They are of average looking women, many of them overweight, in yoga poses. None of them fit the "ideal" yoga body type that the media advertises.
Even though I only seem to ever dabble in yoga, I found this book's message really helpful. A lot of what the author writes can be applied to all areas of life, whether or not you practice yoga. I especially liked that she writes of dedicating the yoga practice or making the intent of the practice to be about communicating with or honoring the Divine (or whatever it is that you feel spiritually connected with). I think anything we do can be approached the same way. For me specifically, I began practicing tai chi this summer and have fallen in love with it. This book has given me ideas on different ways to approach that practice. For others it could be anything from cleaning house, cooking food, playing a sport, or whatever it is that they enjoy.
February 21, 2013
Always wished I'd had the opportunity to take gymnastics as a child, but reading Christina's story reminds me of all the perfectly postured handstanders I've practiced with who don't seem joyous, calm, or accepting of others despite their photogenic abs, physical balancing skills.
So many yoga beauties have written about bulimia,body-image problems/self-hatred, alcohol and drug abuse---but usually before the discipline of a fitness routine. Yet so many come from the rigid disciplines of ballet, gymnastics, modeling, acting and/or the fitness industry where a narrow appearance template is expected. Christina is unusually honest in her conviction that exercise & physical fitness did not magically give her peace & satisfaction. She credits her reliance on therapists as well as one to one long-term mentoring relationships with religious/spiritual gurus(Lee Lozowick and John Friend).
I was surprised to learn how religiously based John Friend's Anasura yoga system was. Though I specifically disagreed with Chrsitina's "My body is a temple" teachings in her YogaGlo classes(For me "If anything is sacred, the body Is"), I always hoped it was more of a metaphor. Now I see how deep her religious beliefs are in her yoga practice and that it's a form of worship for her.
So many yoga beauties have written about bulimia,body-image problems/self-hatred, alcohol and drug abuse---but usually before the discipline of a fitness routine. Yet so many come from the rigid disciplines of ballet, gymnastics, modeling, acting and/or the fitness industry where a narrow appearance template is expected. Christina is unusually honest in her conviction that exercise & physical fitness did not magically give her peace & satisfaction. She credits her reliance on therapists as well as one to one long-term mentoring relationships with religious/spiritual gurus(Lee Lozowick and John Friend).
I was surprised to learn how religiously based John Friend's Anasura yoga system was. Though I specifically disagreed with Chrsitina's "My body is a temple" teachings in her YogaGlo classes(For me "If anything is sacred, the body Is"), I always hoped it was more of a metaphor. Now I see how deep her religious beliefs are in her yoga practice and that it's a form of worship for her.
July 22, 2013
I loved the personal aspect of this book and the vulnerability. Christina is a real woman with real woman's body image issues. Her writing and honesty help us to resource yoga to heal our issues with our body image.
Leela Francis
www.VividlyWoman.com
Leela Francis
www.VividlyWoman.com
July 12, 2008
A great read about a woman who overcame and eating disorder through yoga. I use this with my patients all the time.
Currently reading
September 10, 2008I'm excited to get into this one! Thanks T!
July 6, 2009
An interesting take on using yoga to overcome obsession with body image.
January 26, 2010
Inspiring and insightful.
March 31, 2011
Maybe it's because I have a hard time focusing these days that it was difficult for me to really get into this book. I really wanted to like it. The territory it covered just seemed too familiar.
January 27, 2016
Really beautiful book about loving the beautiful body and seeing it as perfect in its form. I would recommend a little prior reading of Tantra or Anusara to comprehend some of the references.
May 27, 2014
Loved this book.
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February 2, 2012
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews