Ever wonder why some people keep going back to the yoga mat day after day, year after year?
In After Namaste: Off-the-Mat Musings of a Modern Yogini, K. Kris Loomis offers a collection of down-to-earth personal essays that demonstrates the many ways yoga has transformed her life off the mat and why she keeps showing up every day for more. Not only has yoga improved her health and mental well-being, the study of this ancient practice has taught her to take personal responsibility for her actions and to focus on the bright side no matter what life hurls her direction.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your yoga journey or if you’re already a ways down the path, you will find this book full of inspiring, encouraging, and often humorous lessons learned from someone who has walked the yoga walk, both as a teacher and dedicated practitioner, for two decades and counting.
K. Kris Loomis is an eclectic author who writes both fiction and nonfiction books. She is the author of the novel, The Sinking of Bethany Ann Crane, as well as the short story collection, The Monster in the Closet and Other Stories. Kris has also written several books about yoga and meditation and a humorous travelogue about the time she, her husband and their handicapped cat moved to South America called Thirty Days In Quito: Two Gringos and a Three-Legged Cat Move to Ecuador!
When Kris isn't at her standing desk writing, you will find her playing chess, folding an origami crane, or practicing a Beethoven sonata on the piano. She lives in Rock Hill, SC with her husband and two cats.
NONFICTION by K. Kris Loomis
Kris’ interest in writing nonfiction came from teaching and learning from her yoga students for almost twenty years and her experiences in learning about Ecuadorian culture after moving to South America in 2013.
Thirty Days In Quito: Two Gringos and a Three-Legged Cat Move to Ecuador
After Namaste: Off-the-Mat Musings of a Modern Yogini
How to Sneak More Yoga Into Your Life: A Doable Yoga Plan for Busy People
How to Sneak More Meditation Into Your Life: A Doable Meditation Plan for Busy People
FICTION by K. Kris Loomis
Fiction has been an integral part of Kris’ life since childhood, when she would borrow twelve books at a time from the library, spread them out on her bedroom floor, and move one to the other, reading a page at a time, until she finished them all. She believes that fiction should not only entertain but should also challenge the reader.
The Sinking of Bethany Ann Crane
The Monster In the Closet and Other Stories
Join Kris's other subscribers at www.kkrisloomis.com and receive a free short story! You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram @kkrisloomis!
After Namaste is a collection of short essays by K. Kris Loomis full of eye-opening motivations.
I won't lie, I loved the essay about a swimmer. What can I say? I've always been quite the fish. And man oh man, does this book hit close to home. Reinventing yourself is something many people try, but truly have no idea what they're doing. Seeing K. Kris Loomis's take on yoga and doing right by one's self is a nice and refreshing read.
Some of the lessons she delivers in this book are: 1. Teachers can be anywhere - not just professors or instructors. Sometimes your best motivators are people you've only seen and never met. Let them motivate you and give you inspiration! 2. Never be afraid to lead by example! 3. Small changes add up to big changes. 4. We change over time, so respect your person. 5. Change can be a gradual process.
And, of course, way more than just this!
I like how enlightening and honest this book was. It's not exactly a self-help book, it's more of a collection of opinions. You can read what the author feels is good to learn from her life experiences and they all relate to yoga.
I'd definitely recommend this book to people who want to learn. It's a lovely set of informative essays that are very knowledgeable without feeling like a textbook. You don't need to be someone who does yoga (or ever wants to, for that matter) to get something out of this book. I think just seeing someone else's experiences and how they've grown and changed is reward enough from this book! And if you end up joining a yoga class, I'm sure K. Kris Loomis would be proud!
Five out of five stars!
I received this book for free from the author K. Kris Loomis in exchange for an honest review.
Loomis has written an excellent book about what happens after the yoga class, when the mat is rolled up and you're back to your real life, complete with health issues, stress, and that competitive so and so who seems destined to make your life crazy. In short, elegant essays, she shares the caring wisdom you'd expect from a trusted, loving friend: "Truth is, stuff happens in life, to all of us. It's how we deal with that stuff that matters, not the stuff itself." As well as: "So instead of thinking that you can't do something, realize that you just may not be able to do it YET. And know that when you are focused and diligent, YET arrives sooner than you think." I do not do yoga, but this book has me thinking it could be a very good idea: "If you are ever so low that you cannot find yoga, there's a good chance that yoga will find you." Loomis is the friend we all long to have, that warm and bracing, clear-sighted laughter of an experienced teacher and gentle guide.
After Namaste is a wonderful little essay collection about all the things about the yoga journey that aren't about what you're physically able to do at the mat. As a yoga beginner who all too often gets caught up in some kind of achievement-based mindset, I need to actively remind myself to stop and reflect in the moment. K. Kris Loomis shares her thoughts from times when she has done just that—and has produced a very lovely read as a result. I found a useful takeaway in every essay—and several quotes worthy of reflecting upon all by themselves! I recommend this book to anyone who suspects they could use to take a step back and look at their yoga practice with new eyes.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a yoga teacher and massage therapist, this was a perfect gem for me. It was like we were having a conversation. This is one of the few books I know I will read again!
After Namaste was a short and simple but enjoyable book. It gave me some new things to think about concerning my yoga practice, but also helped me really appreciate and realize the benefits that yoga has.
I was looking for a good light yoga read. One I could connect to, and I found it. This book took me about an hour to read, but I highlighted so many things to add to my journal! Good nuggets of wisdom in this book, whether you are a yoga practicioner or not. As a yoga teacher, I really enjoyed her examples and reminders that our practice is constantly evolving as well as how much we can learn from our students.
You may see in many instagram posts a hashtag "Yoga off the mat." And truly that is what this book covers. How the physical practice of yoga can step off the mat with you and effect your entire life. I don't know how many times the statement "it is not about getting into the posture, but the journey there." And here it is! She states "focus too long on the destination and you will lose sight of all the interesting, infuriating, inspiring, and amazing things you pass along the way." Gentle reminders to enjoy the pause.
A collection of inspiring short essays that brilliantly show how the lessons learned when consciously practicing yoga can translate to other areas of your life. This is the kind of book that one could easily read again and again, taking away something different each time depending on where one is at in their life. After reading this, I have felt inspired to meditate and think on how yoga has affected other areas of my own life. The essays are well written, and the lessons passed along are well illustrated by the personal experiences Loomis shares.
Great book, easy read and pretty good amount of meaningful advices on how to learn something and apply to different aspects of our life, in this case something learned is yoga.
Beautiful collections of meditation thoughts to ponder and think about after the yoga. Dealing with life, these are handy tools. Very well done, enjoyed the narration, a beautiful voice added to these. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Being a beginning yoga student, it was interesting to see how to use yoga in non exercise situations. The author gave us tidbits of her experiences. Good quick thoughts.
Made me remember why I practice yoga, that everyday is different and so is your body. Listen to your breath. Parts of this book i can use in my own yoga class.
Excellent book and inciteful writings about the life of yoga, life in yoga, the yoga in life. I loved this book and will probably buy for each one of my students
I enjoyed it. I read it a few months after I started yoga and it was perfect. I identified with some of what she felt and it was reassuring that yoga is for your experience, not anyone else's
I read it in one sitting it is honest, fun and full of seemingly simple insights. Thank you for inviting us to your journey, it made me reflect on mine.
A quick read on ways one person carries over her yoga principles into her daily life and struggles. Not particularly profound, but worth a quick read through Kindle Unlimited or the library.
I very much enjoyed reading this book. The author has a very genuine style, and it felt as though I wad sitting down with a girlfriend and talking yoga.
I bought “After Namaste” by K. Kris Loomis because I wanted go gain insight into ways I can expand my yoga practice. This book does not fail to deliver. If you are looking for honest, insightful musings on how to incorporate yogic lessons into more of your life, you will certainly enjoy this delightful collection of essays.