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Bad Yogi: The Funniest Self-Help Memoir You'll Ever Read
'No matter how much I'd like to be a yoga glamazon, they are not my tribe. My tribe are aqua crew-cut goddesses who smell like samosas. My tribe are neurotic corporate banshees with white knuckles on Goldman Sachs water bottles. My tribe are seven different lineages that all lead to the same destination.'When Alice Williams gets 'phased out' of her dream job, all the demons she usually silences with food start to get too loud to ignore. Unemployed and depressed, she makes the ultimate middle-class, white-girl life she signs up to become a yoga teacher.Bad Yogi is the 'healing' memoir for people who hate healing memoirs, a delightful peek at the life-changing truth that lies behind all the gurus and jargon.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 27, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 20, 2019
One of my favourite reads in a while.
This was so much more than I initially thought it was going to be. I mean that in a good way! I had good expectations, but Bad Yogi exceeded them and then some! A funny, honest, gritty, raw, snarky and humble look at what it means to strip back the layers in the desire to figure out just who and what you (well, Alice, in this instance) really are /is. It did remind me a bit of Eat, Pray, Love - but I liked it better. Whatever our path in life, I think that there is much of what Alice had to say that will resonate with readers. I know it did with me. Gil, her partner, cracked me up - but what a wonderful support. Anyway, I loved how Alice put this together (and her holy goat experiences). A brutally honest and fun look at finding one's purpose. I look forward to reading more from this author 😊😊😊😊
This was so much more than I initially thought it was going to be. I mean that in a good way! I had good expectations, but Bad Yogi exceeded them and then some! A funny, honest, gritty, raw, snarky and humble look at what it means to strip back the layers in the desire to figure out just who and what you (well, Alice, in this instance) really are /is. It did remind me a bit of Eat, Pray, Love - but I liked it better. Whatever our path in life, I think that there is much of what Alice had to say that will resonate with readers. I know it did with me. Gil, her partner, cracked me up - but what a wonderful support. Anyway, I loved how Alice put this together (and her holy goat experiences). A brutally honest and fun look at finding one's purpose. I look forward to reading more from this author 😊😊😊😊
June 25, 2019
Alice Williams walks a fine line between snarky humour and outright judgmental-ism in a quest to find her 'dharma'.
This book is great for those of us who are looking for those pearls of wisdom to help us be nice to ourselves, but can't quite stomach the earnestness of the 'wellness' movement.
Humorous, moving, and sprinkled with a few nuggets of wisdom that I should definitely remember to eventually try out.
This book is great for those of us who are looking for those pearls of wisdom to help us be nice to ourselves, but can't quite stomach the earnestness of the 'wellness' movement.
Humorous, moving, and sprinkled with a few nuggets of wisdom that I should definitely remember to eventually try out.
October 1, 2019
Love the wit and the daily sharp observations in this book. Love the boldness and vulnerability of the author's protagonist, and how Williams isn't pussyfooting around her material, but says things exactly as they are.
June 5, 2019
I was a bit doubtful when I looked at the book cover but impulsively picked it up and purchased Bad Yogi.
I can be a little intense about yoga and thought it may be a light relief for me.
It was hilarious, poignant and had so much depth.
I finished it today at a coffee shop in tears. Tears for all our quirks as humans and the inner battle had in self acceptance.
Thank you, Alice! Your book and Holy Goat touched me deeply :-)
I can be a little intense about yoga and thought it may be a light relief for me.
It was hilarious, poignant and had so much depth.
I finished it today at a coffee shop in tears. Tears for all our quirks as humans and the inner battle had in self acceptance.
Thank you, Alice! Your book and Holy Goat touched me deeply :-)
March 12, 2019
Great Read
This was one of the best books I have ever picked up. Fantastically written with a great story along with some amazing insights. I confess I am a lover of yoga and self discovery fascinates me and the writer has a good sense of humour which keeps you turning the pages. I will definitely read this one again.
This was one of the best books I have ever picked up. Fantastically written with a great story along with some amazing insights. I confess I am a lover of yoga and self discovery fascinates me and the writer has a good sense of humour which keeps you turning the pages. I will definitely read this one again.
January 6, 2020
Very much enjoyed reading this! Lots of laugh out loud moments and many instances where I paused to reflect on some of the sentences written as they were so nice to read.
Would recommend!
Would recommend!
April 7, 2020
Ah I loved this book. It wasn't what I was expecting -- I thought it might be some jolly, smart-arse snide thing about yoga cults. There's a sharp look at the world of western yogics, for sure. But this is a deep, thoughtful and yet incredibly funny bit of memoir. Alice Williams is both a really normal, normally-vulnerable, conflicted woman, and an exceptionally astute observer of herself and others, the strange world we're so familiar with, a world of hidden pain and pretentious wellness. She spares herself not at all in this memoir, and her portraits of fellow-travellers in eating disorder support groups, yoga training, Buddhist acolytes and her own family are tender, adamantine and cheeringly honest. I will say this as I am one of the supporting characters. But if I say it's a good book, it's because I'm a smart reader and I really think it is.
There's no bullshit here. Just a woman working through her own pain, bravely and steadily, and finding she's not the only one. If you read this you will find the same thing.
Bad Yogi -- really an excellent book, basically.
There's no bullshit here. Just a woman working through her own pain, bravely and steadily, and finding she's not the only one. If you read this you will find the same thing.
Bad Yogi -- really an excellent book, basically.
March 23, 2020
Honest, funny and emotionally touching. Alice Williams has the ability to take you into her experience, which is broad and perceptive and heartfelt. I laughed often when I read it and even sniffled on a couple of occasions. Her experience as a would-be writer for a TV soap reinforces my view of the mechanical nature of the plots, to the extent that anyone in our household can say, "script committee!" whenever a predictable thing happens. Ever wondered why the men in soaps don't cry, but punch the wall instead? As a feminist and a mother and a loving partner she has so much in common with her readers, and has so much to offer those who are none of those things.
It's one of the books that I won't be chucking out when I Marie Kondo my bookshelves.
It's one of the books that I won't be chucking out when I Marie Kondo my bookshelves.
April 14, 2020
Bad Yogi is one of those books you can't wait to come back to/keep making excuses to sneak off and read. It's like hanging out with your most interesting, funny girlfriend. Alice Williams is brave enough to tell the truth about how bumpy and meandering the path toward feeling ok actually is.
This is also much more than a book about becoming a yoga teacher. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who's in any kind of 12 step recovery – Alice Williams searingly honest about what it is to come to terms with an addiction (especially when the whole 'higher power' issue is a stumbling block). Russell Brand's 'Recovery' is great, but this is even better.
This is also much more than a book about becoming a yoga teacher. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who's in any kind of 12 step recovery – Alice Williams searingly honest about what it is to come to terms with an addiction (especially when the whole 'higher power' issue is a stumbling block). Russell Brand's 'Recovery' is great, but this is even better.
March 23, 2020
It is funny, but the humour comes naturally from Alice Williams as she describes her life, her family, her relationships. Also her attempts to find her niche as a writer (on a well known soap opera) and her spiritual path in yoga. I'm not into yoga, but found it fascinating - she manages to be so funny and quite bitchy sometimes while being vulnerable and truthful about her self-perceived faults. Absolutely fell in love with this book. It's un-putdownable stuff!
March 26, 2020
I’m actually not into yoga but I am into self help.
I really enjoyed the honesty the author portrayed in highlighting the ‘ group therapy’ that is yoga and also addiction fellowship. Reminding us that it is the people in our lives that help form us in to the characters that we are.
The vibrancy and love with which she explored the other players was heartwarming and really brought me into the world. I felt enriched through the read.
I really enjoyed the honesty the author portrayed in highlighting the ‘ group therapy’ that is yoga and also addiction fellowship. Reminding us that it is the people in our lives that help form us in to the characters that we are.
The vibrancy and love with which she explored the other players was heartwarming and really brought me into the world. I felt enriched through the read.
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March 30, 2020Bad Yogi is such a poignant and entertaining book. While every yoga teacher and serious practitioner will be able to relate to many of Alice's tales, the book is not just for the yoga community. It is for anyone who has struggled with self-acceptance, personal quirks or simply 'growing up' - and who hasn't been through at least one of these? Bad Yogi is one of those book you can't help picking up again and again.
March 4, 2021
A powerful and moving memoir, I seriously could not put this book down ! Alice is a captivating writer and her dark humour, no bulls#it unique take on the harder topics of life is refreshing. Bad Yogi is the go-to book for anyone (yogi or not) needing a step back from life and will have you asking yourself questions you never thought of. A terrifc read. I cannot wait to see what's next from Alice.
April 27, 2019
I could relate to a lot that happened in this book and it made me feel better about being a ‘bad yogi’ as it shows that yoga teachers are human too!
It had some funny parts - I’m just not sure that people who haven’t been through the yoga teacher training process would understand or see the funny side of it...
Maybe I haven’t found my Holy Goat yet?!
It had some funny parts - I’m just not sure that people who haven’t been through the yoga teacher training process would understand or see the funny side of it...
Maybe I haven’t found my Holy Goat yet?!
March 23, 2020
I loved this book for the intimacy of sharing in someone’s experience in a small way, and the hilarity of the way Alice writes. It’s beautifully open and interesting and damn funny. I read it and immediately posted it interstate to a friend who loves yoga but is also down to earth and funny. You don’t need to be interested in yoga to like this book!
April 17, 2020
A friend recommended this to me, and said I'd like it even if I wasn't into yoga. She was right, I did.
I didn't know self help could be funny, and I suppose I didn't know that yogis had a sense of humour, but Alice's self-depricating style is laugh-out-loud funny and there are some poignant learnings. Human, insightful and clever. Would recommend for yogis and non-yogis alike.
I didn't know self help could be funny, and I suppose I didn't know that yogis had a sense of humour, but Alice's self-depricating style is laugh-out-loud funny and there are some poignant learnings. Human, insightful and clever. Would recommend for yogis and non-yogis alike.
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May 16, 2020My library accidentally sent this with my order. I was going to ignore it but decided to pick it up this morning. I was expecting this to be 200 pages of woo woo cultural appropriation nonsense but I really enjoyed it and ended to reading it in one sitting. This book is mainly about finding your feet later on in life and the healing power of being vulnerable.
March 1, 2019
Surprisingly insightful.
March 18, 2019
I finished this, but found her just so judgmental toward others.
March 19, 2019
An easy and pleasant read to inspire a tiny bit of self reflection
September 2, 2019
I enjoyed this book but it was definitely not the funniest self-help memoir I'll ever read.
February 12, 2020
After a long time enjoyed reading a book.. very honest straightforward.. I re read couple of lines so many times and currently just trying to “do the next right thing”...
March 23, 2020
What a find. Sassy, smart and irreverent. LOVE!
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March 23, 2020Hilarious! I could not put this book down. Alice is very witty, entertaining and honest. This book took me through a whole range of emotions. Can't wait to read her next book!
March 25, 2020
An open and honest memoir that's damn funny too! Great book to curl up with.
March 30, 2020
At last a book about a spiritual journey told with honesty and humour. A great read and a book that I just couldn’t put down!
April 2, 2020
Devoured this book in a few days. Would give it five out of five downward dogs.
May 3, 2020
Good read, the first book I've finished in ages!
June 29, 2021
Loved it. Honest and authentic story telling.
February 1, 2022
An interesting story, jam-packed with real-life questions about where the heck you're going, what to do with yourself and how to find more peace.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews