A solid introductory book into the world of ayurveda. Ms. Bloom makes this topic approachable, engaging, interactive and informative. Book is colorful, bright, and definitely visually appealing. This is a good beginning stepping stone into more in-depth books or in-person teachings. The author does note this would make a good book to use with friends, or even as a small work-group.
While more traditional instructors might poo-poo this book for not more fully addressing the pure roots of yoga (reminder - introduction), for those folks who are curious about ayurveda and don't want to invest in a 50 hour class, don't have access to an instructor, or the time to devote to a class, this would be a good beginning resource. (And yes, the author does offer classes.)
I had a couple of small issues with the book (entirely my quirks): I found the bold colors and bright designs almost too much at times and for my A-type personality, it wasn't organized logically (see 1/23 note below! THAT's why it wasn't logical!) and I could have benefited from an index. Ms. Bloom does note that this isn't necessarily a book to read from cover to cover, that she encourages readers to jump around. My brain doesn't do well jumping around. This is also a book I would have liked published in a spiral bound format - the easier to work on those fill-in the blank exercises! My copy also had a significant numbering typo near the end of the book. Oops! Hopefully that's fixed in future editions.
However, when all was said and read, I did buy this book and there's always posty-notes to help keep track of where things are at. I found it to be a good compliment to the more formal, traditional ayurvedic books. Where a traditional lineage book will talk about an ayurvedic concept, Ms. Bloom might have a diagram or chart to help explain - which was very helpful at times.
Recommended - if feasible, check out of the library first, or buy a used copy online to make sure the book resonates with you.
1/23 - bouncing back to add, I finally figured out the numbering typo. The printing is entirely kitty-whumpus in my book! Starts with chapter 1 and 2, skips to chapter 8, 9, 10, 11, then to chapter 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, back<\i> to chapter 11, 12 and 13. Alas, too late to return . Sticky tabs it is.