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Body Thrive: Uplevel Your Body and Your Life with 10 Habits from Ayurveda and Yoga
Discover an innovative new curriculum for smarter, naturally rejuvenating daily habits through Ayurveda and yoga “This is the next frontier of Ayurveda.” —Mark Hyman, MD, medical director at Cleveland Clinic's Center for Functional Medicine and 11-time New York Times bestselling author The habits you choose over time create your day-to-day thrive. What habits have you been choosing? Are they helping you—or holding you back? Evolving your habits doesn’t have to be a struggle. In Body Thrive, wellness expert Cate Stillman guides you into 10 critical daily routines based on Ayurveda that will rejuvenate you by aligning your daily schedule with natural biorhythms. Rather than presenting a rigid checklist of scheduled tasks, Cate encourages easy and steady progress through small actions. Including access to dozens of downloadable worksheets to help you chart your progress through the habits, Body Thrive provides step-by-step instruction for developing aligned action in your daily routine. Here you will The immediate advantages of lighter, earlier dinnersWhy you should listen to your body clock and go to bed before 10 PMHow to set up a vibrant, energized day with an intentional morning routineCoordinating your workout with the intelligence of the breathThe satisfaction and abundance of eating a locally sourced, plant-based dietTechniques for invigorating self-massageHow to properly sit in contemplative silenceHealthy eating guidelines that will leave you feeling nourished and fulfilledMethods for heeding and maintaining the wisdom of your sensesHow to choose ease and spaciousness instead of stress and constriction “You only get one body,” writes Cate. “What habits are you going to mold it with?” With Body Thrive, you’ll discover how to catalyze more energy, improve your digestion, hone your fitness routine, cultivate peace of mind, and shift your own habits toward lifelong health and wellness.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2019
108 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 4, 2023
Several years ago I was looking to change my life and find ways to become more healthy. I started taking yoga classes and I began to learn about Ayurveda - a way to balance the body. And as I explored more, I was introduced to Cate Stillman's program online and her book.
Body Thrive applies the most essential teachings of Ayurveda into teaching people how to simply live awake by creating simple body habits.
It not only teaches easy-to-comprehend Ayurvedic lifestyle tips in an engaging manner, but also helps those who are interested in setting habits for greater health and well-being.
Readers learn 10 core habits that enable them to become vibrant, dynamic beings on a growth path synchronizing their bodily rhythms to nature's clock. Allowing for balance, ease and flow.
I went through the program, and actually taught the program to others. It was an incredible health breakthrough for me and those who I did this with, achieving amazing wellness goals.
We...
Developed better self-care habits.
Felt better in our bodies.
Ate healthier.
Slept better and...
Felt well-rested.
Personally, I am not trying to sell her program. I disengaged from it long ago.
But, this book I have kept because it is so practical. The habits are easy to take on, and years later I am still following them and happily leading a very healthy lifestyle.
Body Thrive applies the most essential teachings of Ayurveda into teaching people how to simply live awake by creating simple body habits.
It not only teaches easy-to-comprehend Ayurvedic lifestyle tips in an engaging manner, but also helps those who are interested in setting habits for greater health and well-being.
Readers learn 10 core habits that enable them to become vibrant, dynamic beings on a growth path synchronizing their bodily rhythms to nature's clock. Allowing for balance, ease and flow.
I went through the program, and actually taught the program to others. It was an incredible health breakthrough for me and those who I did this with, achieving amazing wellness goals.
We...
Developed better self-care habits.
Felt better in our bodies.
Ate healthier.
Slept better and...
Felt well-rested.
Personally, I am not trying to sell her program. I disengaged from it long ago.
But, this book I have kept because it is so practical. The habits are easy to take on, and years later I am still following them and happily leading a very healthy lifestyle.
April 14, 2019
Ayurveda is a new area for me so I found that a really interesting part of this book. I found it really simplified the area for me and made it easy to understand the concept. The book is full of advice and the link above to the website has lots of crucial work sheets that really help solidify her teachings. I'm looking forward to putting some of the concepts into practise and making some much needed changes to my habits
March 8, 2019
This book offers helpful suggestions on how to build healthier habits based on the teachings of Ayurveda and yoga. The author suggests that you focus on one habit each week for 10 weeks, and then start the cycle over again. If you sign up on her website, you can download the accompanying workbook and meditations.
Some of the author’s suggestions seemed quite reasonable and practicable to me, and others did not strike me as very feasible. Some of her recommendations, such as the food combining rules, seemed strange and were not well justified.
While I found the text generally quite understandable, I was not fond of the author’s writing style. She includes a lot of Sanskrit that didn’t seem necessary, although she generally defines these terms in the text and in the glossary. She also uses some slang (chillaxing, hood, peeps) that just didn’t fit the tone I would expect from a book like this.
The back matter includes references for each chapter, a glossary, an index, tips and questions for book clubs, and additional resources.
You won’t develop a comprehensive understanding of Ayurveda here. Other than for exercise, there aren’t many suggestions specific to each dosha. However, if you are looking for some guidance on how to develop a healthier lifestyle, this book might be a good choice.
I was provided an unproofed ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review. Because I have not seen the final published version, I cannot comment on the final editing and formatting.
Some of the author’s suggestions seemed quite reasonable and practicable to me, and others did not strike me as very feasible. Some of her recommendations, such as the food combining rules, seemed strange and were not well justified.
While I found the text generally quite understandable, I was not fond of the author’s writing style. She includes a lot of Sanskrit that didn’t seem necessary, although she generally defines these terms in the text and in the glossary. She also uses some slang (chillaxing, hood, peeps) that just didn’t fit the tone I would expect from a book like this.
The back matter includes references for each chapter, a glossary, an index, tips and questions for book clubs, and additional resources.
You won’t develop a comprehensive understanding of Ayurveda here. Other than for exercise, there aren’t many suggestions specific to each dosha. However, if you are looking for some guidance on how to develop a healthier lifestyle, this book might be a good choice.
I was provided an unproofed ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review. Because I have not seen the final published version, I cannot comment on the final editing and formatting.
August 29, 2022
The habits are very simple strategies that you can implement to bring more peace and structure to your life and body. It's not rocket science. It's not necessary to put all the habits into practice all at once, but reading about them plants little seeds in your mind that will maybe help to move you towards this life of ease and thrive. I'm not there yet by any means.
I gave it 3 stars because the book could really benefit from a better edit imho.
I gave it 3 stars because the book could really benefit from a better edit imho.
June 7, 2019
I’m not sure I’m ready to start eating the weeds in my yard, but this book has enough good ideas to make it worth reading, especially habits to start and end my days.
April 3, 2019
Thank you Sounds True and Netgalley for this ARC.
I am beginning to read and learn more about yoga and was excited to read this great book. It was really helpful for me and gave me a much better understanding of Ayurveda philosophy. A great book to accompany me on my journey and compliment my meditation practice.
I am beginning to read and learn more about yoga and was excited to read this great book. It was really helpful for me and gave me a much better understanding of Ayurveda philosophy. A great book to accompany me on my journey and compliment my meditation practice.
August 6, 2020
I didn’t finish this book, it was interesting but a bit repetitive. It could have been summarized in a smaller version, at least if you’re already familiar why waking up early is good for you etc. Perfect for those who are first looking for ways to create a slower, more aware day-to-day life.
December 13, 2015
If you have ever wanted to have greater health, happiness, vitality, and “will power”, Body Thrive is one book that can offer you guidance on just how to actually make that happen. Unlike other future door stops, paper weights, and good reads that are available in the Health & Fitness section of you favorite bookstore, Body Thrive actually has the goods to help you make the changes that you want to make.
One reason for that is that Body Thrive is actually three books in one. The first part of the book contains two sections:
--An introduction to How to Have a Body according to Ayurveda (the ancient and contemporary science of health developed over the course of thousands of years in India, and kept fresh today by bright young practitioners like Cate Stillman, author of this brilliant, entertaining, and highly useable tome), and
--A Crash Course on Habit Evolution according to Behavioral Science.
Heady stuff, and have no fear! Part 1 is a brief and foundational 35 pages, and Cate is awesome! The way she cuts through the mumbo jumbo and gets right down to the matter at hand, even when talking about something as challenging as poop, is masterful.
—"A fresh start means deep-tissue hydration and a big poop. Around 18 inches of eliminated fecal matter dumped within an hour of rising, without caffeine for provocation, is the gold standard.”
Once you have read the theory, you are ready for the second part of the book, which offers you 10 habits (the dina charya) which will help you to achieve all the health and vitality that you can handle. These habits include:
--Eating an earlier, lighter dinner
--Getting to bed earlier
--Starting the day right
--Physical practices
--Developing a diet that works for you
--Five other powerful practices
Notice that you don’t dive right into diet and exercise. One of the strengths of Body Thrive lies in the organization of the program. Unlike most health improvement programs, which start right out with diet and exercise, both of which are easy to start and easy to quit, the Body Thrive system begin with a focus on developing a Keystone Habit, "the habit that holds together the universe of you, at the level where you can bear the load of life.”
Cate explains that “the keystone is the stone in the top of an archway. The keystone enables the arch to bear the weight of the load above, which may include the roof or another story. It is the rock that holds the archway together.”
By developing your own Keystone Habit, you will find that the next steps you take will be fully supported, and will in turn support all of the other steps that you choose to take. This helps you to create a holistic life, a forest rather than a group of independent trees.
The third part of Body Thrive is an online workbook which makes it easier for you do actually do something with all of this great information. Cate breaks each of the practices up into small easy to small easy to acquire habits. Remember that if you don’t actually do the practices and work the workbook you will end up with a new doorstop/paperweight after all!
This is not about acquiring a new set of chores and to do's. Each of the 10 steps in the dina charya reinforces the other, and also your life as a whole. As you go through the process of building up your dina chary, one “underwhelming" step after the other, you will discover that your life opens like a flower revealing within it mountains of power, calm, and grace that you never knew you had. This is a process of unveiling your own true self (the you that you think you are, and hope you are, and are afraid you are not!).
As a yoga teacher and health coach I will definitely be using this book (and workbook) as a text for my own group and private clients. Cate has saved me the trouble of having to cobble together something similar (and less brilliant!) for my own use. I will definitely be using Body Thrive as my principle source material and workbook from here on out.
One reason for that is that Body Thrive is actually three books in one. The first part of the book contains two sections:
--An introduction to How to Have a Body according to Ayurveda (the ancient and contemporary science of health developed over the course of thousands of years in India, and kept fresh today by bright young practitioners like Cate Stillman, author of this brilliant, entertaining, and highly useable tome), and
--A Crash Course on Habit Evolution according to Behavioral Science.
Heady stuff, and have no fear! Part 1 is a brief and foundational 35 pages, and Cate is awesome! The way she cuts through the mumbo jumbo and gets right down to the matter at hand, even when talking about something as challenging as poop, is masterful.
—"A fresh start means deep-tissue hydration and a big poop. Around 18 inches of eliminated fecal matter dumped within an hour of rising, without caffeine for provocation, is the gold standard.”
Once you have read the theory, you are ready for the second part of the book, which offers you 10 habits (the dina charya) which will help you to achieve all the health and vitality that you can handle. These habits include:
--Eating an earlier, lighter dinner
--Getting to bed earlier
--Starting the day right
--Physical practices
--Developing a diet that works for you
--Five other powerful practices
Notice that you don’t dive right into diet and exercise. One of the strengths of Body Thrive lies in the organization of the program. Unlike most health improvement programs, which start right out with diet and exercise, both of which are easy to start and easy to quit, the Body Thrive system begin with a focus on developing a Keystone Habit, "the habit that holds together the universe of you, at the level where you can bear the load of life.”
Cate explains that “the keystone is the stone in the top of an archway. The keystone enables the arch to bear the weight of the load above, which may include the roof or another story. It is the rock that holds the archway together.”
By developing your own Keystone Habit, you will find that the next steps you take will be fully supported, and will in turn support all of the other steps that you choose to take. This helps you to create a holistic life, a forest rather than a group of independent trees.
The third part of Body Thrive is an online workbook which makes it easier for you do actually do something with all of this great information. Cate breaks each of the practices up into small easy to small easy to acquire habits. Remember that if you don’t actually do the practices and work the workbook you will end up with a new doorstop/paperweight after all!
This is not about acquiring a new set of chores and to do's. Each of the 10 steps in the dina charya reinforces the other, and also your life as a whole. As you go through the process of building up your dina chary, one “underwhelming" step after the other, you will discover that your life opens like a flower revealing within it mountains of power, calm, and grace that you never knew you had. This is a process of unveiling your own true self (the you that you think you are, and hope you are, and are afraid you are not!).
As a yoga teacher and health coach I will definitely be using this book (and workbook) as a text for my own group and private clients. Cate has saved me the trouble of having to cobble together something similar (and less brilliant!) for my own use. I will definitely be using Body Thrive as my principle source material and workbook from here on out.
April 30, 2021
Unfortunately, this book did not speak to me. I took my time, trying to implement some of changes but never really got past drinking warm water in the morning. The water thing is nice,and I may continue that for a while but I don't foresee myself thriving anytime soon.
April 13, 2019
Timeless wisdom, presented in a fresh, simple style. Beautifully written.
“There is a rhythm to your body thriving. When you know and live into this rhythm, you engage in your best life ever.”
I love that there was no (ultimately disappointing) discourse on some magic pill/technique. Rather, there was constant light-shining on the fact that we can all thrive with consistent behaviors.
“Body Thrive is not about magical elixirs or expensive superfoods. The force that will sculpt and shape your body and how you age is daily habit.”
Somehow, Cate managed to remind us of the things “everybody know” — without being preachy or condescending.
“Ease comes through intentional habits that align you with flow. When you live into the 10 Habits of Body Thrive, you design an easeful and strong body, a clear and sharp mind, dynamic relationships, and become a vessel for spirit in action.”
I was highlighting throughout, remembering what I know.
“Identify who you are becoming and who you have been, and the call to adventure will carry you through a rewarding return to a better version of yourself.”
Highly recommended, for those seeking their first self-improvement book — and for those reading their hundredth.
“There is a rhythm to your body thriving. When you know and live into this rhythm, you engage in your best life ever.”
I love that there was no (ultimately disappointing) discourse on some magic pill/technique. Rather, there was constant light-shining on the fact that we can all thrive with consistent behaviors.
“Body Thrive is not about magical elixirs or expensive superfoods. The force that will sculpt and shape your body and how you age is daily habit.”
Somehow, Cate managed to remind us of the things “everybody know” — without being preachy or condescending.
“Ease comes through intentional habits that align you with flow. When you live into the 10 Habits of Body Thrive, you design an easeful and strong body, a clear and sharp mind, dynamic relationships, and become a vessel for spirit in action.”
I was highlighting throughout, remembering what I know.
“Identify who you are becoming and who you have been, and the call to adventure will carry you through a rewarding return to a better version of yourself.”
Highly recommended, for those seeking their first self-improvement book — and for those reading their hundredth.
June 25, 2019
Body Thrive is a thoughtful book clearly written by someone with a passion with her subject grounded in the calm of an intentional, focused life. There is a measured, meditative quality to much of the writing - it flows easily and pulls you along with it from one subject to the next along a well-ordered path.
While not everything in the book will be for everyone (see: oil pulling) Stillman has done a superb job of setting up a progressive, entirely do-able process by which readers can improve their habits, health, and lives. She has stacked the book with tools and resources to help readers find success and lined every step of the way with grace and encouragement.
Absolutely worth a read for anyone who wants to "level up" their life or who is struggling to figure out where to start in their desire to bring peace, health, and joy to their choices and days.
While not everything in the book will be for everyone (see: oil pulling) Stillman has done a superb job of setting up a progressive, entirely do-able process by which readers can improve their habits, health, and lives. She has stacked the book with tools and resources to help readers find success and lined every step of the way with grace and encouragement.
Absolutely worth a read for anyone who wants to "level up" their life or who is struggling to figure out where to start in their desire to bring peace, health, and joy to their choices and days.
November 14, 2021
3.5 stars. I read this book as part of a course I am taking with my local yoga studio. Each week our group would read a chapter exploring a lifestyle practice, and how to optimize our actions using the ayurvedic system a/k/a "the science of life" as a basis for redirecting behaviors and thoughts into new habits supportive of good health and wellbeing. It has been a fascinating 12-week journey. Our group gathered on Zoom each Sunday afternoon to talk about the chapter and share how these practices were working in our life. The first reading of this book is certainly an introduction to the system and I look forward to revisiting all of it again in early 2022, but for now I am glad to have incorporated some of these principles into an evolving daily routine.
July 18, 2018
I loved this book! Stillman offers insight into how we can incorporate Ayurveda techniques into our daily lives to maintain an optimal balance between the body and mind. I've been using some of the suggestions in her book the last few days and so far I notice a drastic difference in my sleeping habits and digestion. I was a little sorry the book ended so soon, I could read about this subject all day!
February 24, 2021
Diet-culture repackaged under "wellness".
Before reading this book I had a healthy relationship with food. I am now two years into recovery from the eating disorder it triggered.
I really, really, urge authors who claim to promote wellness to consider the potential harm of not clarifying the intention of their content. This book is about weight-loss, not wellness.
Before reading this book I had a healthy relationship with food. I am now two years into recovery from the eating disorder it triggered.
I really, really, urge authors who claim to promote wellness to consider the potential harm of not clarifying the intention of their content. This book is about weight-loss, not wellness.
February 7, 2020
Great advice for wellbeing
December 4, 2021
Definitely great ideas here to incorporate more practices to align your body to positive habits. Worth reading again as I learn more about Ayurveda practices.
December 8, 2021
Borrowed it from the library and loved it. Now I need my own copy.
January 2, 2022
She had me at “ keystone habits!” Excellent, encouraging and actionable!
April 24, 2025
This book was a journey for me. I wanted to take my time with it, implement an idea and give it time to sink in, before moving on to the next concept. I enjoyed this book, I benefited greatly from its teachings, in particular the simple, but difficult concept of the earlier lighter dinner. I started this with a library borrow and decided I needed to own my own copy so I could refer back often, I’m glad I own it now, so I can refer back when I need a refresher.
January 10, 2016
Reading this book was a fantastic way to start the year and refocus on healthy habits. Cate Stillman has a way of making simple suggestions that when applied can transform your life. I've followed her advice in the past and never felt better. This book is well conceived with 10 simple steps. I highly recommend it.
March 14, 2019
Easy read. For those who are unfamiliar with Ayurveda is a great first step . And those who are familiar with Ayurveda still will find some interesting information and suggestions. However , I felt like the book didn’t go deep enough explaining practices from Ayurveda perspective. In overall, I had a good experience with the book.
June 6, 2022
Very good book with plenty of ideas to age gracefully. I like how it Is so positive. Rather than say don’t do this, it says do this!
April 29, 2016
Cycling through this book for the second time. Refining habits. Love it.
November 1, 2018
I just want to quote this entire book to you because it is honestly amazing!
This book starts with the question: How are you designing your body?
That gave me pause to think. I have been trying to cultivate healthy habits for years but I never really considered designing my body.
The book then goes on to ask if you will survive or thrive.
The book then goes into the author's background and how we can start small and open our minds to healthier habits as we age. It was beautifully and inspirationally written.
Body Thrive is a set of 10 habits that Cate Stillman encourages us to cycle through 4 times a year. Taking one week to form each habit.
The first habit is to eat dinner at least three hours before bed. Then there are suggestions of how to do this, what to make, and how it affects our bodies. The author gives examples from her personal Ayurveda practice and how her clients felt changing their dining habits affected them.
If you want to feel better and look better and be healthier, read this book! It will change your life!!
I would like to thank Netgalley and Sounds True for my copy in exchange for me honest review.
This book starts with the question: How are you designing your body?
That gave me pause to think. I have been trying to cultivate healthy habits for years but I never really considered designing my body.
The book then goes on to ask if you will survive or thrive.
The book then goes into the author's background and how we can start small and open our minds to healthier habits as we age. It was beautifully and inspirationally written.
Body Thrive is a set of 10 habits that Cate Stillman encourages us to cycle through 4 times a year. Taking one week to form each habit.
The first habit is to eat dinner at least three hours before bed. Then there are suggestions of how to do this, what to make, and how it affects our bodies. The author gives examples from her personal Ayurveda practice and how her clients felt changing their dining habits affected them.
If you want to feel better and look better and be healthier, read this book! It will change your life!!
I would like to thank Netgalley and Sounds True for my copy in exchange for me honest review.
November 3, 2018
This book is a solid introduction to Ayurveda for novices. It details the practice plus provides clear steps to introduce Ayurveda into your life —with one change or many. I’m invigorated to start a new morning practice now. Informative, helpful and inspiring.
January 30, 2019
I will admit I am a beginning when it comes to Yoga as well as Ayurveda . This book is perfect for beginners looking to find balance and a health habit in your every day life.
Everything is simply laid out for the common person who has no idea where to start with Yoga. It is perfect for kids to grandparents.
The author has the ability to pull readers in giving them a starting point and able to create a simple habit for their bodies to be able to accomplish and feel successful. Her website connect with readers with easy to print out workbooks that are simple and easy to follow.
The book is beautiful and simply perfect for beginners
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Yogahealer Press for the advance copy of Cate Stillman Body Thrive.
Everything is simply laid out for the common person who has no idea where to start with Yoga. It is perfect for kids to grandparents.
The author has the ability to pull readers in giving them a starting point and able to create a simple habit for their bodies to be able to accomplish and feel successful. Her website connect with readers with easy to print out workbooks that are simple and easy to follow.
The book is beautiful and simply perfect for beginners
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Yogahealer Press for the advance copy of Cate Stillman Body Thrive.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews