What do you think?
Rate this book
Yoga Where You Are: Customize Your Practice for Your Body and Your Life
Yoga Where You Are welcomes readers of all backgrounds, body sizes, and abilities into the practice of yoga. Dianne Bondy and Kat Heagberg offer everything you need to know to build a custom yoga practice that supports you exactly where you are—now and at every stage of your life's journey.
Yoga Where You Are discusses how yoga intersects with body image, introduces essential information on elements like breathwork and meditation, and celebrates yoga's diverse roots through an introductory chapter on its origins and history. Whether you're a beginner, a seasoned practitioner, or a yoga teacher, the step-by-step instructions for hundreds of customizable pose variations provide an essential resource you can turn to as your practice evolves. Bondy and Heagberg also present tips to find inspiration and creativity on the mat. With truly inclusive language, alignment options for real bodies, and photos of a range of practitioners, the book provides you with everything you need to customize and deepen your practice with clarity and confidence.
Yoga Where You Are discusses how yoga intersects with body image, introduces essential information on elements like breathwork and meditation, and celebrates yoga's diverse roots through an introductory chapter on its origins and history. Whether you're a beginner, a seasoned practitioner, or a yoga teacher, the step-by-step instructions for hundreds of customizable pose variations provide an essential resource you can turn to as your practice evolves. Bondy and Heagberg also present tips to find inspiration and creativity on the mat. With truly inclusive language, alignment options for real bodies, and photos of a range of practitioners, the book provides you with everything you need to customize and deepen your practice with clarity and confidence.
272 pages, Paperback
Published December 8, 2020
26 people are currently reading
239 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 16, 2020
What a wonderful book (that I think all teachers should read). Full of body positivity (bodies of any size, any ability, and any age have a right to practice yoga!), photos and descriptions of various asanas in many forms of expression, and wonderful reminders that your yoga practice is about YOU - how you feel in a pose, not how someone else THINKS you should be in a pose.
December 13, 2020
What a brilliant book.
I'm guessing, from some of the commentary in this read, that I was quite lucky; my sole yoga course was a fun, kind experience with a teacher who listened and tried to help us find poses that worked for us, not that matched some kind of ideal. I'll be honest, I haven't kept up 100% with my practise since then, but this book has inspired me to try again.
I love the way this book is clear that the 'right' yoga pose is the one that works for you, even if that means modifying the pose or using props. As a not very confident learner, I think I'll be using the wall poses quite a bit until I get a bit steadier! I loved the suggested sequences at the end, too. They'll be great once I get to know the poses a bit more. I read this in Kindle format, which is good, but I can't wait to get my hands on an actual copy of the book, where I can make notes and bookmarks parts and so on.
A brilliant read for any level of Yoga practitioner. If I'd had this during lockdown I'd be healthier now!
I'm guessing, from some of the commentary in this read, that I was quite lucky; my sole yoga course was a fun, kind experience with a teacher who listened and tried to help us find poses that worked for us, not that matched some kind of ideal. I'll be honest, I haven't kept up 100% with my practise since then, but this book has inspired me to try again.
I love the way this book is clear that the 'right' yoga pose is the one that works for you, even if that means modifying the pose or using props. As a not very confident learner, I think I'll be using the wall poses quite a bit until I get a bit steadier! I loved the suggested sequences at the end, too. They'll be great once I get to know the poses a bit more. I read this in Kindle format, which is good, but I can't wait to get my hands on an actual copy of the book, where I can make notes and bookmarks parts and so on.
A brilliant read for any level of Yoga practitioner. If I'd had this during lockdown I'd be healthier now!
January 13, 2021
I love all of the poses, their variations, and their explanations. I do wish that there were more detailed sequences with all of the poses after the foundational ones. Like, I’ve watched a lot of yoga videos but have never seen a sundial pose before.
I also wanted to say how much I appreciate having the people with bigger bodies doing the main poses, not just the variations. I had just read another yoga book that had all of the main poses being performed by smaller bodied people and most of the variations performed by people with bigger bodies.
I also wanted to say how much I appreciate having the people with bigger bodies doing the main poses, not just the variations. I had just read another yoga book that had all of the main poses being performed by smaller bodied people and most of the variations performed by people with bigger bodies.
June 26, 2024
This is now my go-to guide for pose correction and options. I struggle with knee and hip issues that will only get worse as I age, but this book shows me how I can still keep practicing, it gives me hope!
March 1, 2022
I want to be able to do mermaid pose by the end of the year
June 4, 2022
Really great book for getting a basic understanding of yoga, plus delves into inclusive practices & offers many variations for the poses. I borrowed this book from the library but it would be a worthwhile one to purchase and go back to again and again.
December 5, 2020
Yoga Where You Are is another great book by the Yoga For All Guru, Dianne Bondy and Kat Heagberg. Dianne is a great advocate and voice for all body inclusivity and body image in general and especially in the world of yoga.
The book provides a short overview of yoga practice from the beginning to our modern times. She also addresses the issues of accessibity of yoga and body image in yoga, but also advice on how to start your yoga practice.
The book covers everything from prayanama to yoga postures and offers modifications though the use of props
to make it accessible for all.
The photographs illustrate the various poses beautifully and Ms. Dianne Bondy is one of the yoga models too.
All in all, this is a very attractive and well written book with clear illustrations.
I highly recommend this book!
The book provides a short overview of yoga practice from the beginning to our modern times. She also addresses the issues of accessibity of yoga and body image in yoga, but also advice on how to start your yoga practice.
The book covers everything from prayanama to yoga postures and offers modifications though the use of props
to make it accessible for all.
The photographs illustrate the various poses beautifully and Ms. Dianne Bondy is one of the yoga models too.
All in all, this is a very attractive and well written book with clear illustrations.
I highly recommend this book!
January 31, 2021
*DISCLAIMER* I received this book free for review. That said, I only request books I am interested in because life is too short to waste on boring books. I’m also not afraid to say when I think a book sucks, free or not.
Onto the review:
If you’re new to yoga, struggle with perfecting poses, feel left behind in classes or online videos, or are considering yoga but are worried you won’t be capable / benefit from it? This is the book for you.
I’ve only taken one in person class (with cats). It was okay, but it was sort of on the advanced side of a beginner / gentle class, so still a struggle as I have MS and until last year had limited to no exercise.
I decided this year was the year I would take on yoga for real. Chose a 30 day challenge. Did the first two days and felt like giving up. The promised modifications were limited or non-existent. Then I realized a smart person would find a challenge that fit their body better. Around the time I made that realization I was offered this book for review. I love it so much!
Need a modification for almost any pose? It can probably be found here.
They cover the basics of yoga, sections based on what parts of the body you want to target, possess, modifications, props, even how to build your own practice. I don’t keep many physical copies of books these days but this is one I am keeping.
Onto the review:
If you’re new to yoga, struggle with perfecting poses, feel left behind in classes or online videos, or are considering yoga but are worried you won’t be capable / benefit from it? This is the book for you.
I’ve only taken one in person class (with cats). It was okay, but it was sort of on the advanced side of a beginner / gentle class, so still a struggle as I have MS and until last year had limited to no exercise.
I decided this year was the year I would take on yoga for real. Chose a 30 day challenge. Did the first two days and felt like giving up. The promised modifications were limited or non-existent. Then I realized a smart person would find a challenge that fit their body better. Around the time I made that realization I was offered this book for review. I love it so much!
Need a modification for almost any pose? It can probably be found here.
They cover the basics of yoga, sections based on what parts of the body you want to target, possess, modifications, props, even how to build your own practice. I don’t keep many physical copies of books these days but this is one I am keeping.
April 6, 2023
this is a comprehensive study and guide that includes the history and spiritual elements of yoga with a healthy study of a wide variety of poses.
I also learned about Kemetic Yoga with its' roots and origins from Africa.
What was especially helpful where the extensive use of props to show how the pose can be reached for this that would like to use them. It also included more complex poses for those that would like that sort of challenge.
What was especially useful was the section in the back that described the different practices and types of students within the class. One of the best and most comprehensive yoga books that i have read.
I also learned about Kemetic Yoga with its' roots and origins from Africa.
What was especially helpful where the extensive use of props to show how the pose can be reached for this that would like to use them. It also included more complex poses for those that would like that sort of challenge.
What was especially useful was the section in the back that described the different practices and types of students within the class. One of the best and most comprehensive yoga books that i have read.
December 2, 2020
I definitely appreciated the chapters dedicated to descriptions (and photos) of different positions- and all of them had at least three recommended adjustments including chair poses and using blocks or other props if the 'original' pose is too difficult. Not everyone can handle doing all the poses, so it was good to get support for doing what you can, when you can. This is a book that aims for a wide audience, from beginners to instructors, and is the sort of book that you can continually go back to as you change and develop in your practice. Excellent photographs to assist in poses.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
January 9, 2021
I received a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great intro to yoga book!
There's a lot about the basics of yoga including the history, props and their uses, and breathing instructions. The definitions and details are really helpful and make starting a yoga practice less intimidating. There's pictures for each pose as well as several modification options for each pose. I like that people of different body types are featured throughout the book.
It's a really thorough guide to starting and keeping a good yoga practice.
This is a great intro to yoga book!
There's a lot about the basics of yoga including the history, props and their uses, and breathing instructions. The definitions and details are really helpful and make starting a yoga practice less intimidating. There's pictures for each pose as well as several modification options for each pose. I like that people of different body types are featured throughout the book.
It's a really thorough guide to starting and keeping a good yoga practice.
March 5, 2021
Will do a more in depth review later, but as a yoga teacher this is a good introduction to predominantly postural yoga with some of the other limbs included. Variations on postures include chair versions to arm balances. I will say Dianne Bondy’s other book might be better suited if looking for something that shows yoga postures in a wider variety of bodies and with text that is a little less verbose. So if you are intimidated by this one, that book is a great option.
March 11, 2021
This is a super useful book, with a lot of detailed information about how to adapt and modify poses to make them more accessible or even just to get a slightly different benefit from them. I really appreciate all the photos and the diverse models used in the book. I borrowed this from the library but I will definitely be purchasing a copy of this for future and frequent reference.
July 7, 2021
Absolutely loved this, It was an easy read but super informative. A great book for those who might feel like yoga isn't for them because of body limitations, size or whatever. Truly was grateful to see "real" people in the book and adaptation to a standard pose or position .
August 11, 2021
Well illustrated, useful for developing a more inclusive practice, and just enough to make it interesting without getting tedious. "Remember that yoga isn't about fixing yourself. It's about being with yourself, and learning about yourself, and that wherever you are today is okay."
May 23, 2025
This was a good yoga book. Had some about the history of yoga then got into the poses. Each pose had a what it helps within the body and step by step how to get into the pose. It also had modifications for each pose.
Read
January 4, 2021Hallo guys,,,
I have metode new yoga
Chek link
https://bit.ly/2X5TcF8
I have metode new yoga
Chek link
https://bit.ly/2X5TcF8
April 14, 2021
The book I wish I had in teacher training.
Read
November 16, 2023Great perspective and reference.
August 20, 2023
Many thanks to Edelweiss, Penguin Random House and Dianne Bondy for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advance copy.
Dianne Bondy is described as the voice of the Yoga For All movement. That is a central theme in this book. What you will find in this book is different and inclusive. It includes everyone, not just diversity in size, but race, age and abilities. You will find a wide range of postures, breath and philosophy. There are recommendations for safer, more inclusive practice spaces and sequences, not only for the practitioner but helpful advice for teachers as well. Her aim is to give you a book that can grow with you, not just a basic introduction to yoga, or something so advance it is unsafe to practice from a book. The images are as diverse as the instructions.
The book is set up with yoga basics, breath work, props (and how to use them without shame!), poses and sequences. There is also a recommended resource section for those who wish to delve deeper. For each pose there are three to four variations and they are not based on easy to hard, but rather what is comfortable for your body. The descriptions are thorough and the pictures helpful.
I have been practising yoga for around ten years and I loved this book. I learned new things, I found it very useful but mostly I loved the thought process. It helped me reframe my practise, be kinder to myself, and take pride in what my body can do. I would recommend this to anyone, from beginner to experienced to pick this book up!
Dianne Bondy is described as the voice of the Yoga For All movement. That is a central theme in this book. What you will find in this book is different and inclusive. It includes everyone, not just diversity in size, but race, age and abilities. You will find a wide range of postures, breath and philosophy. There are recommendations for safer, more inclusive practice spaces and sequences, not only for the practitioner but helpful advice for teachers as well. Her aim is to give you a book that can grow with you, not just a basic introduction to yoga, or something so advance it is unsafe to practice from a book. The images are as diverse as the instructions.
The book is set up with yoga basics, breath work, props (and how to use them without shame!), poses and sequences. There is also a recommended resource section for those who wish to delve deeper. For each pose there are three to four variations and they are not based on easy to hard, but rather what is comfortable for your body. The descriptions are thorough and the pictures helpful.
I have been practising yoga for around ten years and I loved this book. I learned new things, I found it very useful but mostly I loved the thought process. It helped me reframe my practise, be kinder to myself, and take pride in what my body can do. I would recommend this to anyone, from beginner to experienced to pick this book up!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews