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The Living Clearly Method: 5 Principles for a Fit Body, Healthy Mind & Joyful Life
Hilaria Baldwin knows what it means to be pulled in many directions—as a mother of three, businesswoman, yoga instructor, Instagram sensation, and wife of actor Alec Baldwin, she has to work hard to remain centered. Through her life experiences, struggles, and personal growth, Hilaria has developed a method for using movement and mindfulness to create an unbreakable mind-body connection, an illuminating method that shapes her life.
The Living Clearly Method shows how to blend purposeful movement with conscious breath to move through our lives with grace, calm, and positivity. By using Hilaria’s five simple principles—Perspective, Breathing, Grounding, Balance, and Letting Go—you can flow through any situation with the beautiful union of mind, body, and spirit that a yoga practice can create.
But learning to honor the body and listen to the soul does not end when you get off the mat. Hilaria believes strongly in finding ways to integrate the five principles into your entire life, so for each step she also shares her own routines that keep her active all the time—from the little motions that engage her body during household chores and the foods that keep her well nourished to the philosophy that grounds her when she’s being pulled in a million directions at once.
This book is also packed with practical tools such as timesaving tips, delicious recipes inspired by clean and plant-based eating, mini-workouts that seamlessly integrate into your everyday life, breathing exercises, and customized yoga and meditation routines.
The Living Clearly Method teaches you to listen to your body, tune in to your mind, and develop the consciousness to clear your head and find peace in your life. It is a beautiful, intuitive guide for living the healthiest life possible, both inside and out.
The Living Clearly Method shows how to blend purposeful movement with conscious breath to move through our lives with grace, calm, and positivity. By using Hilaria’s five simple principles—Perspective, Breathing, Grounding, Balance, and Letting Go—you can flow through any situation with the beautiful union of mind, body, and spirit that a yoga practice can create.
But learning to honor the body and listen to the soul does not end when you get off the mat. Hilaria believes strongly in finding ways to integrate the five principles into your entire life, so for each step she also shares her own routines that keep her active all the time—from the little motions that engage her body during household chores and the foods that keep her well nourished to the philosophy that grounds her when she’s being pulled in a million directions at once.
This book is also packed with practical tools such as timesaving tips, delicious recipes inspired by clean and plant-based eating, mini-workouts that seamlessly integrate into your everyday life, breathing exercises, and customized yoga and meditation routines.
The Living Clearly Method teaches you to listen to your body, tune in to your mind, and develop the consciousness to clear your head and find peace in your life. It is a beautiful, intuitive guide for living the healthiest life possible, both inside and out.
272 pages, Paperback
Published December 27, 2016
123 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Hilaria Baldwin
3 books9 followersHillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas was born on 6 January 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., the daughter of M.D. Kathryn Hayward and David Thomas Jr.
She married Alec Baldwin in 2012.
She married Alec Baldwin in 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 17, 2019
I guess this could be a winner if it were just pics of her in various yoga poses in weird places. Oh wait that’s her instagram lol. This book is useless.
May 7, 2017
Outlandishly elitist photos and recipes rendered this book hilarious rather than helpful. Stars being "just like us!" with their stilettos and leggings (just add a cute top!).
August 30, 2021
Trophy wife yoga vibes. Lots of photos of yoga poses in stilettos and constant reminders that she is married to Alec Baldwin. It was distracting and took away from the actual content. I've read quite a few "celebrity lifestyle" books and found this one to be the least relatable. Try "The Wellness Remodel" by Christina Anstead or "Gracefully You" by Jenna Dewan.
August 15, 2017
The photos of Hilaria doing crazy hard yoga poses in high heals and sleek outfits are so cool. Her intro tells of her path to yoga. I new nothing about her, except she was Alec Baldwin's much younger wife. I must say, she seems very legit. I liked how she came across, I like that she thinks it's important to have an attitude approach to life. It's cool that she makes the mind body connection to yoga.
As with most of these kind of books, I'm not sure how much change will sink into me, but I am glad of the time I spent here and liked the yoga routines I tried.
As with most of these kind of books, I'm not sure how much change will sink into me, but I am glad of the time I spent here and liked the yoga routines I tried.
March 23, 2019
I diddnt find anything new or unique about this one.
July 30, 2020
Let me start this review by saying I chose to read this book because, from what I know of her, I like Hilaria Baldwin. She seems to have a calming way about her, I like the gentle way she parents her children and, anytime I have seen her in an interview, what she says seems wise to me, in a way that I seem to "get". The idea that there was a method behind her way of living and thinking was intriguing to me, so I decided to give this book a try. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I certainly didn't hate the book, but it wasn't one I would recommend or keep on my bookshelves. Basically, the book is broken down into 3 areas of life in which she applies her "Living Clearly Method": the first being emotional/psychological, the second being diet, and the last being exercise. What I did like about the book was how she applied the "5 principles" in her/the reader's emotional areas of life. Without going into detail about the principles, I'll just say that what she had to say made sense to me. I agree with her here! What I didn't like, though, was how overly "wordy" her descriptions in this area were. Really, it took her a LONG time to say what could be said with far fewer words, and I think the message she was trying to make could have been made more effectively with less words. There are a ton of yoga poses and full workouts in the book and I think this is a highlight of the book. Clear photographs and pretty good instructions made this the other positive aspect of the book, however I tend to understand such things when learned in a class and/or on a video. I struggle with learning workouts and poses by reading about them, but that is just me. If learning by reading is something you respond well to, this will not be a problem for you. The big issue I have with the book is the section about diet. It seems absolutely obsessive to me and leads me to believe that, as someone who had an eating disorder in the past (as Ms. Baldwin did), she is not through battling her demons when it comes to food. As someone who also struggled with an eating disorder, this really bothered me. I've seen what I call "White Knuckling Behavior" in people I have known who claim they "had" an eating disorder. They've found a way to "cheat the system" by replacing one obsessive behavior with food , with another. I've seen it in a friend who now obsessively exercises to control her weight, I've seen it in a celebrity who eats massive amounts of low calorie fruit and vegetables to control her weight, and I see it in the over-the-top lengths Ms. Baldwin goes to to manage how much she eats. All of it is, in my opinion, obsessive behavior of someone who is overly concerned with gaining weight. I could go on and on about this, and maybe I am wrong, but that's how this part of the book appeared to me, and it was a total turnoff. For me, it was the thing I disliked the most about the book. In the beginning of my review, I said I decided to read this book because I liked Hilaria Baldwin and thought she had some wise things to say. Well, I'm not a real fan of her book, but I can honestly say I still like Hilaria Bladwin. I think what she had to say about her 5 principles is dead on. I just don't care for the way she applied it when it came to diet.
Want to read
April 30, 2020Don't you just love Dollar Tree?!
I love books about exercise and eating right so I picked this one up in the hopes of exercising and eating right. A girl can dream! I ain't gonna lie, this woman intrigues me as she's married to grouchy sourpuss, Alec (*Hairy) Baldwin and helped him (at one point) to lose a ton of weight.
Men are said to love flexibility (wink, wink)! Given some of the poses in the book, I think it's safe to say I'm not surprised that Alec put a ring on it! In return, Hilaria has given him a happy home and four more kids in addition to his eldest daughter, Ireland by his former wife, Kim Basinger. I'm not mad at her come up. Go Hilaria! I can respect a woman that can parlay her 15 minutes into a big or little something, something.
This book has pictures so I might definitely get to this one sooner, rather than later.
*Alec is a very, very hairy!
I love books about exercise and eating right so I picked this one up in the hopes of exercising and eating right. A girl can dream! I ain't gonna lie, this woman intrigues me as she's married to grouchy sourpuss, Alec (*Hairy) Baldwin and helped him (at one point) to lose a ton of weight.
Men are said to love flexibility (wink, wink)! Given some of the poses in the book, I think it's safe to say I'm not surprised that Alec put a ring on it! In return, Hilaria has given him a happy home and four more kids in addition to his eldest daughter, Ireland by his former wife, Kim Basinger. I'm not mad at her come up. Go Hilaria! I can respect a woman that can parlay her 15 minutes into a big or little something, something.
This book has pictures so I might definitely get to this one sooner, rather than later.
*Alec is a very, very hairy!
October 9, 2017
This book is a calm read. It just exudes a pacing that allowed me to feel mentally nourished while discovering or reaffirming ways to improve myself physically. I enjoyed it greatly.
If I could chose another woman to offer guidance, support, and usable advice to my only daughter, I would choose this author simply because she did the almost impossible task every woman needs to do, which is to make peace with her body.
Namaste.
If I could chose another woman to offer guidance, support, and usable advice to my only daughter, I would choose this author simply because she did the almost impossible task every woman needs to do, which is to make peace with her body.
Namaste.
February 2, 2019
I follow Hilaria Baldwin on Instagram and am so impressed with how well she takes care of herself so that she can take care of her growing family. She shares in her book how she purposely lives her life, what she eats (including recipes), and how she fits time in her day for exercise (including exercises with pictures and direction). I highly recommend this book!
July 29, 2021
Quick Takeaway: This book never would have happened if the author wasn't married to Alec Baldwin. However, it's not a bad addition to the health and fitness book field.
Review:
The author makes sure that you know she's married to Alec Baldwin. If you didn't know before you picked up the book, you'd certainly know just from reading the dust jacket.
She puts a new spin on a celebrity yoga/fitness book by including lots of photos of her in sleek outfits and sky-high heels. (That's her Instagram brand from what I gather.) She's another dancer turned yoga teacher in order to make a living - she's not the first and she's not the last. The photography is flattering.
The book should be titled: "My Pampered Life as Mrs. Alec Baldwin." (Yikes, they'll probably come after me now.) It's weird to see pictures featuring Mr. Baldwin and their babies, and not just Mrs. Baldwin. I wasn't expecting the book to be so personal, meaning so much information about Mr. Baldwin and their children. I was expecting it to be about healthy living because she was a yoga teacher prior to marrying him. Granted, healthy living is the main topic, but the personal information was unexpected.
The book has two parts. Part One is The Five Principles. Part Two is Food & Fitness.
Part one, The Five Principles, is a bit convoluted. While the five principles (perspective, breathing, grounding, balance, and letting go) are sound, each of the five chapters could have been better organized and written. She needed a better editor.
Part two, Food & Fitness, has two chapters, Eating Clearly and Moving Clearly. Each chapter had some interesting information. It's nothing knew, but at least the information is solid and credible.
She looks fit and healthy, and that's one of the reasons why I read the book. If you can get past the "I'm Mrs. Alec Baldwin" stuff, you'll find that it offers good information on living a healthy life. There are better and worse books out there on the subject, but I will say this - the book's design is nice. That's because it's a Rodale book, and they tend to design pretty books.
Review:
The author makes sure that you know she's married to Alec Baldwin. If you didn't know before you picked up the book, you'd certainly know just from reading the dust jacket.
She puts a new spin on a celebrity yoga/fitness book by including lots of photos of her in sleek outfits and sky-high heels. (That's her Instagram brand from what I gather.) She's another dancer turned yoga teacher in order to make a living - she's not the first and she's not the last. The photography is flattering.
The book should be titled: "My Pampered Life as Mrs. Alec Baldwin." (Yikes, they'll probably come after me now.) It's weird to see pictures featuring Mr. Baldwin and their babies, and not just Mrs. Baldwin. I wasn't expecting the book to be so personal, meaning so much information about Mr. Baldwin and their children. I was expecting it to be about healthy living because she was a yoga teacher prior to marrying him. Granted, healthy living is the main topic, but the personal information was unexpected.
The book has two parts. Part One is The Five Principles. Part Two is Food & Fitness.
Part one, The Five Principles, is a bit convoluted. While the five principles (perspective, breathing, grounding, balance, and letting go) are sound, each of the five chapters could have been better organized and written. She needed a better editor.
Part two, Food & Fitness, has two chapters, Eating Clearly and Moving Clearly. Each chapter had some interesting information. It's nothing knew, but at least the information is solid and credible.
She looks fit and healthy, and that's one of the reasons why I read the book. If you can get past the "I'm Mrs. Alec Baldwin" stuff, you'll find that it offers good information on living a healthy life. There are better and worse books out there on the subject, but I will say this - the book's design is nice. That's because it's a Rodale book, and they tend to design pretty books.
January 6, 2019
Earth shattering? Hardly. Crazy photos of yoga in heels? Definitely.
I borrowed this book from our local library. If the system she describes I suggest purchasing this book. The book can be read all at once but you won’t be able to refer back and work through it at your own pace which is what it is designed for.
The crazy photos in heels don’t bother me - I’m sure they are a problem for some. I sort of enjoy them because it fascinates me that she is able to do it. Let’s me honest I fall out of any balance pose on flat ground and barefoot ... I have zero chance in heels at this point. One could argue they are un relatable but she shares parts of her story that make her relatable.
The recipe section is a nice to have. I have recently eliminated dairy so I’m happy to find alternatives for favourite recipes.
I appreciate her approach to do things when and where you can - with a toddler in tow it can be hard to set aside time to have a long workout.
I will likely purchase the book because I think the simple breakdown will suit me well. As with any “self help” or “self improvement” book it won’t be for everyone.
I borrowed this book from our local library. If the system she describes I suggest purchasing this book. The book can be read all at once but you won’t be able to refer back and work through it at your own pace which is what it is designed for.
The crazy photos in heels don’t bother me - I’m sure they are a problem for some. I sort of enjoy them because it fascinates me that she is able to do it. Let’s me honest I fall out of any balance pose on flat ground and barefoot ... I have zero chance in heels at this point. One could argue they are un relatable but she shares parts of her story that make her relatable.
The recipe section is a nice to have. I have recently eliminated dairy so I’m happy to find alternatives for favourite recipes.
I appreciate her approach to do things when and where you can - with a toddler in tow it can be hard to set aside time to have a long workout.
I will likely purchase the book because I think the simple breakdown will suit me well. As with any “self help” or “self improvement” book it won’t be for everyone.
December 21, 2017
Hilaria Baldwin's love for beauty and health is infectious. She is a yoga instructor and the wife of Alec Baldwin, although it is funny how she describes their first meeting and how she did not really know who he was (since she is not really into watching movies). Photographs of her doing yoga poses while wearing sky-high heels is not meant to be taken literally, of course, but to demonstrate metaphorically what all women are capable of doing, that is, doing the things we think are not possible, the things that might seem out of reach, all the while managing to balance our daily demands with poise and grace. The book will continue to serve as a reliable guide when I want to try out new yoga poses or perfect some of the ones I already know. Though I haven't tried any of the recipes, some of them look rather enticing.
January 15, 2018
I started following Hilaria on instagram when she had the yoga pose challenge. I really enjoyed her Instagram page which was filled by love, genuine advices on food, yoga and health. So when I found out she was writing a book, I got super excited.
And the verdicts is ; she doesn’t disappoint.
It’s exactly what I was expecting. It’s superb 🙏🏻 Thank you Hilaria for sharing your journey with us! A yogi fan of yours 🧘♀️
And the verdicts is ; she doesn’t disappoint.
It’s exactly what I was expecting. It’s superb 🙏🏻 Thank you Hilaria for sharing your journey with us! A yogi fan of yours 🧘♀️
July 18, 2023
This is a very pretty book with lovely pictures and an easy-to-follow structure. The Living Clearly Method is grounded in yoga. The five principles are perspective, breathing, grounding, balance, and letting go. Yoga poses are featured at the end of each chapter which compliment the reading, Recipes are near the end of the book that stress clean and healthy eating, The very end tells how to fit excercise into you day, even if you are too busy.
January 26, 2025
It’s a huge stretch to call this inexperienced person an expert in anything related to wellness or yoga. She has never been certified and has no idea what she is doing. Her poses are ridiculous. Who would practice yoga in high heels? Someone who desperately needs attention. Poor Alec. He thought he got someone special but Hillary is a faker on so many levels.
December 16, 2018
Fun, well-written, and mindful.
Such a fun and mindful book for everything life throws at you. I enjoyed reading about Hilaria’s journey and how to bring yoga and mini movements to daily life.
Such a fun and mindful book for everything life throws at you. I enjoyed reading about Hilaria’s journey and how to bring yoga and mini movements to daily life.
January 15, 2023
Too much focus on her celebrity status, in my honest opinion. However, the yoga poses and recipes were interesting for the most part. The other tidbits of advice on healthier and more calm living were also appreciated.
August 1, 2025
I enjoyed this reading material; it was definitely a "pick and choose” ( of what to do ) for me... as much of the “work” behind it, I am already aware of, but I did like the way she put it down on paper, and does make me feel that this is absolutely attainable, even if it takes time.
February 17, 2017
This was so much more than I expected. I didn't actually know what I'd be getting when I requested this from the library.
Lots of yoga poses and breathing information.
Lots of yoga poses and breathing information.
May 11, 2017
Good, simple advice. One that I'll come back to again and again.
May 11, 2020
Great read for quarantine yoga, recipes and lifestyle advice on how to live a healthier life!
May 30, 2021
Awesome read! Super inspiring, lots of useful information like yoga poses, exercises, recipes and more! You gotta check it out
Read
March 6, 2025I’m so sorry
February 27, 2017
Grabbed this as I bought Goop, and liked this far more that the book I bought intentionally. Full of honest stories, it also has practical tips for life, stress management, eating and yoga. It's not really about the "showy" yoga you might see in the author's Insta feed or social media. She gets the big yoga and is making an income off it. However, her thoughts on parenting, life, eating and yoga make sense - balance, peace and find joy. Worth the time to read and one I will go back to for recipes and inspiration.
December 29, 2016
A very active comprehensive reference incorporating lots of yoga.
April 2, 2017
I liked this book. I saw it recommended in a reading list somewhere, and I'm glad I picked it up.
While many of these ideas may not be new, the author presents them in a fresh, practical way that I found very inspiring. What is new, at least for me, is the way she connected thinking with feeling by using yoga postures and breathing to connect the body and the mind.
The principles, as applied with attention, intention, and conscious action, encourage the reader to consider how they relate to their world and everything that comes their way.
Hilaria is someone that I would like to know!
Also, her recipe for Lentil Soup with Cinnamon and Lemon is wonderful! It combines two types of lentils, which gives nice texture and chew, with the warmth of cinnamon. Very good!
While many of these ideas may not be new, the author presents them in a fresh, practical way that I found very inspiring. What is new, at least for me, is the way she connected thinking with feeling by using yoga postures and breathing to connect the body and the mind.
The principles, as applied with attention, intention, and conscious action, encourage the reader to consider how they relate to their world and everything that comes their way.
Hilaria is someone that I would like to know!
Also, her recipe for Lentil Soup with Cinnamon and Lemon is wonderful! It combines two types of lentils, which gives nice texture and chew, with the warmth of cinnamon. Very good!
April 8, 2017
Enjoyed this book! She is an inspiration!!!
April 9, 2017
As good as any of them. And I admit I liked reading all about how she met Alec and their life together and i love the pictures, too.
April 12, 2017
There was a little more yoga substance here than I expected, but it was still a Hollywood (okay, New York) celebrity lifestyle read. Not that those are bad -- they are in fact my favorite kind of self-help book!
April 21, 2017
I was really not expecting to like this book as much as I did. Great information on yoga and self care! Looking forward to trying the recipes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews