Exuberant Animal: The Power of Health, Play and Joyful Movement

by Frank Forencich

Move to live, live to move! Health and fitness is a bushy, multi-disciplinary practice that includes body, mind, spirit and the creative imagination. Exuberant Animal explores the totality of human health and promotes a truly integrated approach that spans culture, biology, psychology and animal behavior. You'll discover powerful new ideas for movement and living that will stimulate your vitality, creativity and enthusiasm.

Genres: Health, Fitness, Nonfiction

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2006

Reviews

[Igor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the ‘see the big picture’ aprroach.
A bit too much jumping from one topic to another.

[Matias]

Good material but nothing new at this stage in my journey.

[rixx]

Recommended by multiple Davids. Currently only available from the US, check occasionally.

[Linette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book 3.5 stars.

This book was entertaining and thought-provoking in that there was research put into each "essay" and related quotes throughout the book. Not all the chapters are completely tied together, so you could skip around if you desired. I loved his comparison of humans as being either a chimp or a bonobo.

Forencich pushes you to think about your daily activities and encourages you to move in a way you LOVE. Activity/exercise should be fun--not a chore--and a part of EACH and EVERY day.

[Poppy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of good in these essays. I found them very inspiring. The idea that moving and playing and being joyful are good for you makes sense.

On the downside, there was quite a bit of repetition in this book though which sometimes made reading it a drag. There also seems to be little backing up his claims. He mentions studies and so-called scientific discoveries but almost never provides citations for them. There are some references offered but there is very little to show where he got a particular bit of information from. I found that a bit distressing.

[Ola · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a series of essays about humans and their bodies but the author looks at a man as a part of animal kingdom to which he belongs. He underlines disadvantages of forgetting about that. Our sedentary lifestyle is harmful for us. He suggests to look at animals and learn from them how to move and how to play and how to find a joy in it. We can only benefit from that. Book is easily read and is reach with useful ideas of ways to improve our health (and life).

[Jason Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book might have received 5 stars if not for Forencich's occasional patronizing attitude. But he is onto something & the book did inspire me to move more & be more mindful of my body & my surroundings. So for that, I give it 4 stars.

[Matti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays in this book somehow vary in their quality, but nonetheless on the whole the book is very inspiring, even life-changing.

[Da Moceanproject · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and a must read as is this authors whole series of books.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would give this book a resounding "Meh"

It's basically just a collection of short essays. Nothing all that new or exciting -- just mildly interesting.