What do you think?
Rate this book
Deep Listening: A Healing Practice to Calm Your Body, Clear Your Mind, and Open Your Heart
Take your mindfulness practice to a new healing level with guided meditations, journaling prompts, and restorative yoga poses.
World-renowned restorative yoga teacher Jillian Pransky came to the practice of yoga to heal herself. For much of her life, she subscribed to a relentless work hard/play hard mentality, burying parts of herself beneath the pursuit of busy-ness and accomplishment. It wasn’t until a devastating personal loss and health crisis thrust her into suffocating anxiety that she stopped racing around. As she began to pause and examine her actions and emotions, she found herself able to unlock deeply seated tension in her mind and body. Since then, Pransky has been devoted to studying and teaching mindfulness practices, deep relaxation, and compassionate listening.
In Deep Listening, Pransky presents her signature Calm Body, Clear Mind, Open Heart program—a 10-step journey of self-exploration that she’s taught around the world. Derived from the techniques that healed her, the practice of Deep Listening invites you to pay close attention to your body, mind, and heart. You’re taught how to tune inward and relax into a state of openness, ease, and clarity. This is the new frontier in integrative wellness—mindfulness designed for healing.
Pransky doesn’t ask you to “be your best self,” or “do more!” She asks you to “be here” and “do less . ” She guides you gently through the stages of Deep Listening, from being present and noticing your tension to welcoming what you discover with softness and compassion. She integrates tools like guided meditations, journaling prompts, and restorative yoga poses to help you regard yourself with kindness and curiosity. Immersing yourself in the practice of Deep Listening will allow you to nurture your own well-being.
World-renowned restorative yoga teacher Jillian Pransky came to the practice of yoga to heal herself. For much of her life, she subscribed to a relentless work hard/play hard mentality, burying parts of herself beneath the pursuit of busy-ness and accomplishment. It wasn’t until a devastating personal loss and health crisis thrust her into suffocating anxiety that she stopped racing around. As she began to pause and examine her actions and emotions, she found herself able to unlock deeply seated tension in her mind and body. Since then, Pransky has been devoted to studying and teaching mindfulness practices, deep relaxation, and compassionate listening.
In Deep Listening, Pransky presents her signature Calm Body, Clear Mind, Open Heart program—a 10-step journey of self-exploration that she’s taught around the world. Derived from the techniques that healed her, the practice of Deep Listening invites you to pay close attention to your body, mind, and heart. You’re taught how to tune inward and relax into a state of openness, ease, and clarity. This is the new frontier in integrative wellness—mindfulness designed for healing.
Pransky doesn’t ask you to “be your best self,” or “do more!” She asks you to “be here” and “do less . ” She guides you gently through the stages of Deep Listening, from being present and noticing your tension to welcoming what you discover with softness and compassion. She integrates tools like guided meditations, journaling prompts, and restorative yoga poses to help you regard yourself with kindness and curiosity. Immersing yourself in the practice of Deep Listening will allow you to nurture your own well-being.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 10, 2017
160 people are currently reading
969 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 30, 2019
This book was really lovely. I hadn't heard of the author and didn't know what to expect. I was very pleased to find that Deep Listening is filled with wisdom, well-written, so peaceful in its tone, and with many, many practices for application. This is not just a yoga book, nor is it a memoir, yet it includes both. I will come back to this book over and over in my own practice and in my retreat ministry where I lead women into rest and wholeness.
December 30, 2017
An excellent introduction to somato-sensory approaches to movement and life. As someone who has very much resonated with Jillian's "GO GO GO" lifestyle, the ability to slow down and listen to your body is really a fantastic skill. Her detailed pages about restorative yoga were very well put together and described (you can absolutely tell that she is a yoga instructor), and I liked the non-pretentious way that she described coming to her own experience with learning the art of "deep listening." My only comment is that if you are more advanced in yoga, you may already be very familiar with the poses and flows that Pranksy suggests, but it's also wonderful for those who are completely new to the practice - so I see both sides of it. 5 stars.
November 20, 2017
This book... Deep Listening provides insights & tools to promote your your own well being and healing. It’s a practice of loving- yourself, others and your life - as it IS. It’s a practice of listening with curiosity and not judgement. Jillian’s openness, knowledge, authenticity and humor make this practice so accessible. Love love love.
November 2, 2017
My yoga teacher reads from this book sometimes at the beginning of class. She thought I would relate to the author as a fellow parent of a severely food allergic child (which comes with a great deal of anxiety day-to-day). I enjoyed the excerpts, and so I decided to buy and read the entire thing. Good decision - I appreciate the calming nature of this book, and just overall really enjoyed it.
December 27, 2024
From the perspective of someone who's traversed the spectrum from toxic to healthy polyamory, Pransky and Wolf's "Deep Listening" offers invaluable insights into the art of presence - a skill that proves especially crucial in navigating multiple relationships with authenticity.
★★★★½ (4.5/5 Stars)
Having experienced both the chaos of toxic poly dynamics and the richness of genuine connection, I found their framework for deep listening particularly relevant to the complex emotional landscape of ethical non-monogamy.
Thematic Analysis:
The authors' exploration of embodied listening speaks directly to challenges many of us in ENM face - from managing multiple emotional connections to navigating metamour relationships. Their insight that true listening begins with self-awareness resonates deeply with those of us who've learned the hard way that poly relationships amplify our internal patterns.
Writing Style:
Pransky and Wolf weave together practical guidance with contemplative wisdom in a way that feels both accessible and profound. Their approach acknowledges the messiness of human connection while offering concrete tools for deeper presence.
Critical Framework:
The book excels in its treatment of:
- Somatic awareness in relationships
- Managing emotional overwhelm
- Developing genuine presence
- Building authentic connection through listening
Personal Resonance:
The sections on "listening beyond words" particularly struck home. In poly relationships, where clear communication is vital, their insights about attunement and non-verbal cues offer valuable tools for navigating complex dynamics. Having moved from toxic to healthy poly situations, I appreciate their nuanced exploration of how our listening patterns reflect our relationship with ourselves.
Notable Strengths:
- Excellent integration of body-based awareness
- Practical tools for emotional regulation
- Strong framework for authentic connection
- Valuable insights into relationship patterns
Areas for Development:
- Could explore multiple partner dynamics more explicitly
- Additional guidance needed for managing parallel relationships
- More resources for navigating metamour communications
- Deeper exploration of listening in conflict situations
The book particularly shines in its examination of:
- Building emotional resilience
- Developing presence in challenging moments
- Creating authentic connection
- Managing emotional boundaries
What makes this work valuable for ENM practitioners is its tools for:
- Managing emotional bandwidth across relationships
- Developing genuine presence with multiple partners
- Processing complex feelings through somatic awareness
- Building sustainable listening practices
Recommended for:
- Anyone seeking deeper relationship connection
- Those working on emotional presence
- ENM folks managing multiple relationships
- Anyone healing from toxic relationship patterns
Despite not being specifically about polyamory, "Deep Listening" provides essential skills for navigating the complex emotional terrain of multiple relationships. The authors' emphasis on embodied awareness proves particularly valuable for those of us managing multiple connections while maintaining authenticity.
The work succeeds in bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application of deep listening skills. For those of us who've experienced both the challenges and rewards of ENM, their framework offers valuable tools for building and maintaining genuine connection across relationships.
Their exploration of how listening patterns reflect attachment styles and emotional availability resonates deeply with the poly experience. The emphasis on sustainable practices rather than perfect execution feels particularly relevant to those of us managing multiple relationship dynamics.
Having walked the path from toxic to authentic polyamory myself, I found their insights about how presence creates safety especially valuable. The book offers crucial tools for developing the emotional bandwidth necessary for healthy multiple relationships, even though it doesn't explicitly address ENM contexts.
This stands as an essential resource for anyone seeking to deepen their capacity for authentic connection, particularly valuable for those of us navigating the complex emotional landscape of ethical non-monogamy.
★★★★½ (4.5/5 Stars)
Having experienced both the chaos of toxic poly dynamics and the richness of genuine connection, I found their framework for deep listening particularly relevant to the complex emotional landscape of ethical non-monogamy.
Thematic Analysis:
The authors' exploration of embodied listening speaks directly to challenges many of us in ENM face - from managing multiple emotional connections to navigating metamour relationships. Their insight that true listening begins with self-awareness resonates deeply with those of us who've learned the hard way that poly relationships amplify our internal patterns.
Writing Style:
Pransky and Wolf weave together practical guidance with contemplative wisdom in a way that feels both accessible and profound. Their approach acknowledges the messiness of human connection while offering concrete tools for deeper presence.
Critical Framework:
The book excels in its treatment of:
- Somatic awareness in relationships
- Managing emotional overwhelm
- Developing genuine presence
- Building authentic connection through listening
Personal Resonance:
The sections on "listening beyond words" particularly struck home. In poly relationships, where clear communication is vital, their insights about attunement and non-verbal cues offer valuable tools for navigating complex dynamics. Having moved from toxic to healthy poly situations, I appreciate their nuanced exploration of how our listening patterns reflect our relationship with ourselves.
Notable Strengths:
- Excellent integration of body-based awareness
- Practical tools for emotional regulation
- Strong framework for authentic connection
- Valuable insights into relationship patterns
Areas for Development:
- Could explore multiple partner dynamics more explicitly
- Additional guidance needed for managing parallel relationships
- More resources for navigating metamour communications
- Deeper exploration of listening in conflict situations
The book particularly shines in its examination of:
- Building emotional resilience
- Developing presence in challenging moments
- Creating authentic connection
- Managing emotional boundaries
What makes this work valuable for ENM practitioners is its tools for:
- Managing emotional bandwidth across relationships
- Developing genuine presence with multiple partners
- Processing complex feelings through somatic awareness
- Building sustainable listening practices
Recommended for:
- Anyone seeking deeper relationship connection
- Those working on emotional presence
- ENM folks managing multiple relationships
- Anyone healing from toxic relationship patterns
Despite not being specifically about polyamory, "Deep Listening" provides essential skills for navigating the complex emotional terrain of multiple relationships. The authors' emphasis on embodied awareness proves particularly valuable for those of us managing multiple connections while maintaining authenticity.
The work succeeds in bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application of deep listening skills. For those of us who've experienced both the challenges and rewards of ENM, their framework offers valuable tools for building and maintaining genuine connection across relationships.
Their exploration of how listening patterns reflect attachment styles and emotional availability resonates deeply with the poly experience. The emphasis on sustainable practices rather than perfect execution feels particularly relevant to those of us managing multiple relationship dynamics.
Having walked the path from toxic to authentic polyamory myself, I found their insights about how presence creates safety especially valuable. The book offers crucial tools for developing the emotional bandwidth necessary for healthy multiple relationships, even though it doesn't explicitly address ENM contexts.
This stands as an essential resource for anyone seeking to deepen their capacity for authentic connection, particularly valuable for those of us navigating the complex emotional landscape of ethical non-monogamy.
January 25, 2025
It was fine. It’s a very standard “yoga” book about a person who was always “on”, always doing things, being an “athlete” who then found stillness and relaxation. It’s just a little uninspiring. A lot of these books to me still feel like they just went to the other extreme. “To balance out the nervous system we need to rest and only rest and I didn’t need to push myself too hard.” And while that is of course true some of the time, an actually balanced yoga practice should include all kinds of engagement and practices. Your physical body NEEDS movement and stability and just “resting” in a meditation after you’ve already sat down for 8 hours at a desk will not bring you the lasting balance that you seek. While I agree with and utilise all practices that the book talks about, avoiding putting stress on your body sometimes in a mindful way so we can grow resilient won’t result in balance. I wish there were more books out there that talked about the balance, usually it’s sadly one of the two extremes.
December 13, 2019
1. Get it in print, don't try to listen to it.
2. Don't listen to the meditations unless you can get a professional reader or someone you love to read them for you. Ms. Pransky writes good meditative script, but believes that reading slowly must include lengthening words. No. That's not how reading slowly works. The .... ground.... will.... welcome.... you... is fine. It does not have to be The... grooooooooooound... will... weeeeeeelcooooome... yooooooooou. Too much. I have very little experience with yoga or yoga + meditation. Maybe that's just how they do it in yoga studios.
3. Pretty sure this could be shorter, but it's not unreasonably long for its contents.
2. Don't listen to the meditations unless you can get a professional reader or someone you love to read them for you. Ms. Pransky writes good meditative script, but believes that reading slowly must include lengthening words. No. That's not how reading slowly works. The .... ground.... will.... welcome.... you... is fine. It does not have to be The... grooooooooooound... will... weeeeeeelcooooome... yooooooooou. Too much. I have very little experience with yoga or yoga + meditation. Maybe that's just how they do it in yoga studios.
3. Pretty sure this could be shorter, but it's not unreasonably long for its contents.
January 8, 2019
Amazing, practical, simple to implement. I have read books that have been overly science focused or overly fluffy, this book sits in the happy middle. Jillian is genuine and you can feel her warmth radiating while reading her words. Loved this and will have it by my bedside to flip through regularly
January 12, 2020
One of the best books on mindfulness
Definitely one of the best books on mindfulness. It leads you step by step from some basic principles to more advanced ones. Even though I am not a yoga fan, I really like the book, because you can do most of the exercise in the book without yoga’s part.
Definitely one of the best books on mindfulness. It leads you step by step from some basic principles to more advanced ones. Even though I am not a yoga fan, I really like the book, because you can do most of the exercise in the book without yoga’s part.
October 31, 2021
I couldn't really connect to the author's voice/writing style. I thought the made up word "Relaxmore" (or whatever it was) used throughout was distracting and cheesy. I appreciated the photos of poses and instructions on how to be fully present in each pose. Possibly a good reference for someone interested in gentle yoga, restorative poses, and meditation.
April 10, 2019
I took three months to read this book of just under 300 pages. I relished every word. I journaled. I brought it’s lessons into my yoga classes. I read snippets to the students during savasana/relaxation. It’s a book I will come back to again and again.
February 7, 2021
This book is full of tools that guide the reader connect to herself and her life. Each chapter progressively delves deeper into listening with suggested meditations, visualizations, journal prompts and yoga poses.
June 4, 2019
Depth and awareness
This book is a gentle guide to self love and self caring. The practices are simple but profound ways to live from your center with an open heart.
This book is a gentle guide to self love and self caring. The practices are simple but profound ways to live from your center with an open heart.
January 6, 2020
Beautiful book. I use this book for reference often when practicing yoga as well as teaching my classes.
February 17, 2020
A lovely book for yoga teachers and practitioners. Both deeply thought and accessible. Highly recommend.
May 17, 2020
Great book for restorative yoga
January 31, 2023
Lovely ♥️
February 5, 2023
Beautiful. What a peaceful encouraging way to practice deep listening. I felt appreciative of my body and my breath while I worked thru her chapters.
March 6, 2023
Useful content for restorative practitioners
October 10, 2023
Teachings that I return to again and again. They are a gift, helping shape my life, actions, inner speech, and willingness to pause.
November 5, 2023
Really difficult to slow down and listen.
September 3, 2025
Terrible. Do not read. This author is a phony.
February 12, 2023
Such a beautiful book. I’m so glad I reread this one during this season because I do not remember resonating with it in 2020 (pre-pandemic) as much as I do now.
This book is a great reminder to rest. You don’t have to do it all and have it all together. Do you even know what true rest looks like for you? Many people don’t and this author does a great job of showing you what it truly looks like for anyone.
This book is a great reminder to rest. You don’t have to do it all and have it all together. Do you even know what true rest looks like for you? Many people don’t and this author does a great job of showing you what it truly looks like for anyone.
March 1, 2021
We can all benefit from Deep Listening!
This beautiful book is for anyone who wants to be more present in every moment. The combination of storytelling with actual “practices” gives the reader the background + the tools to help bring it all to life. Deep Listening truly has something for everyone!
This beautiful book is for anyone who wants to be more present in every moment. The combination of storytelling with actual “practices” gives the reader the background + the tools to help bring it all to life. Deep Listening truly has something for everyone!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews