Gravity & Grace: How to Awaken Your Subtle Body and the Healing Power of Yoga

by Peter Sterios

Transform your yoga practice into an intimate, creative, and healing experience in this refreshing guide to yoga in the modern world

“An inspiring read for all yogis.” ―Michael Franti, musician, filmmaker, activist

What if, instead of constantly pushing yourself beyond your limitations, you paused to really listen to your body’s needs?

In Gravity & Grace , innovative yoga teacher and trainer Peter Sterios shares a unique set of practice principles to help anyone―from beginners to advanced practitioners and teachers―revitalize their approach to yoga by tuning into the subtle body.

When our yoga practices become too rigid, overly focused on technique, or dependent upon ideals that are not suited to our bodies, we lose the full potential of what yoga offers―a truly personal pathway to physical well-being, emotional unfolding, and spiritual awakening.

In this groundbreaking book , Sterios helps you embrace the full, healing potential of yoga as he shares wisdom gained from over 45 years of exploring yoga and the subtle body. He teaches that by developing a sensitivity to how the natural forces of gravity and grace are at work physically and psychologically, we become empowered to confidently decide how to practice each day.

Through an insightful blend of practical theory and direct instruction, Sterios will guide you to incorporate awareness of physical and subtle anatomy into your practice, utilize the breath for greater well-being, and create flowing sequences that naturally meet your unique needs in each moment.

For teachers looking to deepen their offerings, students who want to bring a more personalized and healing experience to their yoga practice, and anyone working with physical limitations (from injury, body type, age, or any of the myriad obstacles humans face), Gravity & Grace is the “no-style” yoga guide you’ve been waiting for.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

272 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2019

Reviews

[Kelly]

Not for the beginner yogi, but for one who is a bit into their practice, if only because of the language and philosophical underpinnings of the book (especially as they relate to teaching). But this brought together so many of the subtle body and energetic body material I love in one place, and I especially appreciate Sterios's belief that we should question everything we are taught and then teach back. There is no singular means of alignment or "right" yoga -- it's about tuning in deeply to your own body within a shape and making as many discoveries as you can.

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb accurately describes this book, so if the blurb appeals to you, then you will probably enjoy Gravity & Grace. I liked how yoga teacher Peter Sterios used the concepts of gravity, grace, and levity to guide readers in discovering the interplay of effort and non-effort that leads to a satisfying yoga practice. I found Peter’s story inspiring and definitely gained some insights that will help me develop a more healing relationship to my yoga practice.

In Part 1, Teaching Stories, Peter shared lessons that he learned from his personal experiences studying yoga and meditation. I particularly enjoyed Part 2, The Energies of Gravity and Grace, and Part 3, Science and Yoga Meet. Part 3 includes a brief discussion of connective tissue and tactile perception that I found really interested. It was not as detailed as I would have preferred, but the author provides generous reference citations in his Notes, as well as suggestions for Further Reading.

I struggled to understand some of the ideas in Part 4, Subtle Body Anatomy, but I think some of that will come with more practice. Regarding the chakra system, the author himself states that, “for my first few years of practice, it felt like nothing was ‘happening.’” Despite my difficulty with some of the more esoteric aspects, I appreciated the instruction provided in Part 5, Practice Essentials. And I intend to do as the author suggested and “first let go of expectations, intentions, and goals, while still hanging on to my commitment to practice, and simply remain curious about what showed up.” This willingness to surrender and be curious about our experience is really what this book is about.

I also loved the many humorous and thought-provoking quotes throughout the text, from sources as diverse as Lao Tzu and Lemony Snicket. I think the Subtle Body Guidesheets provided in the Appendix are a bit complicated for beginners, but a nice resource for more advanced practitioners. Unfortunately, I could not locate the additional resources mentioned as being available on the author’s website. I was reviewing an uncorrected proof, so perhaps directions for how to obtain those resources have been corrected in the final published version.

I think this book has something to offer anyone who enjoys yoga, regardless of preferred style, physical condition, and whether a beginner or an advanced practitioner. I would particularly recommend this book for anyone who is working with limitations from an injury or illness.

Thanks to Sounds True for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say grace has never been my strong suit - and yoga always seemed to be something tall, long-legged people could do. I have a couple of DVDs, several books, and every year or two in summer I break them out and give it a try and consider it a failure and return my 'yoga tools' to the bookcase in the spare room.

Peter Sterios approaches the whole field of balanced exercise with a unique viewpoint. And even my old short round body can participate, and feel good, and build on this exercise every day. Thank you, for my added strength, my better breathing, my increasing stamina. You have really made a difference in my world.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Peter Sterios, and Sounds True publishing. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I have read and followed the approach to exercising of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.

Pub date changed to October 15, 2019
Reviewed on Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo and GooglePlay on October 19, 2019. Need to edit and add the disclaimer on Amazon, B&N.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in a warm, candid style, this book was meaningful even to an amateur yogini like myself. The author writes as if he is talking to the reader and I have the sense that he is a natural-born teacher. He totally lives up to his stated intention to share a “nonmystical attempt to describe the mystical healing powers of the practice of yoga.”

The author uses many of his own personal life experiences and stories to illustrate what he shares with us about yoga. Also, I loved the variety of quotations sprinkled throughout.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Cat Sprague · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a remarkable tool for the yogi looking to learn more about their body, subtle body, interconnection to the big picture, and what to do with the vessel you're traveling around in. A must have for a teacher or practitioner with a reading collection. The kind of book you use the highlighter in, come back to, read and experience.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and reread this slowly, letting it impact my practice. Such a fine and simple explanation of many subtle aspects of yoga as well as a compassionate and helpful guide out of the no-win scenario many people find themselves enmeshed in regarding their relationship to the ever-changing body.

[Jacob Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could have probably been a few pages long. The main idea is that you should make your practice your own with a deep connection with your breathwork as you practice. That’s about it beside’s the author’s personal stories that didn’t do much for me.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book on yoga was a little too in-depth and scientific for me. Lots of good info but lots I skipped over. I think this book is definitely more for the advanced yogi.

[Lady Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well, and professionally written. Sterois's extensive experience and knowledge in yoga come through in his explanations of yogic philosophy. While this book is mostly a memoir, he offers a lot of information here. His discussions on breathing and advice on performing yoga poses helped to transform my own yoga practice.

[Mollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author seems highly motivated to help participants in yoga find an approach that works for them. He is willing to think outside the box. His own journey through the practice of yoga is a very clear example.