waking

by sanford, mathew

This is a book written by a man who is a yoga instructor but has been paralyzed from the waist down since he was 13.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

Reviews

[Amy Yuki Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm surprised that this book hasn't gotten more attention. I bought this book after hearing Matt Sanford interviewed on Speaking of Faith. He is a yoga teacher who is paralyzed from the chest down.

As a yoga teacher, myself, as well as a reiki channel, I felt some obligation to read it. I wanted to get more insight into the mind-body connection; especially from the perspective of a mind and body that is so different from my own.

I found it both insightful and inspirational. It contains a lot of observations that are obvious, but usually overlooked due to preconceived notions and the mind-body disconnect.

I believe anyone who loves a tale about healing and self-discovery would enjoy this book. The mind-body stuff might be difficult to follow for someone who is unfamiliar with the concept.

From the book:

If nothing else, my life has taught me one thing: The mind and body that I have are the only mind and body that I have. They deserve my attention. And when I give it, I receive so much more in return.

[Faith Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remarkable journey of trauma and transformation

[Ji Eun · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think i had high expectations for this book given the great premise of coming to terms with a trauma and living with the consequences of tragedy, but unfortunately this book didn't live up to the expectations. After reading over and over the repetitions and generalized descriptions of mind body (dis-) connection, the book failed to hold my interest. Might be the writing style or that the book was written prematurely with a somewhat limited insight into the author's experinces; i.e., the yoga experience that was supposed to be liberating to the author just left me confused... too detailed recording of each dream or visions (to be realized in retrospect)

My review /number of stars given doesn't negate the fact that The author did go through a lot due to this accident and also later with his infant.

His mother was an incredible source of support and love during the authors healing process.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew is truly inspiring. I had the honor of meeting Matthew Sanford at a yoga studio in Raleigh recently. He is a remarkable, and incredible person who has such a great personality. It was incredible to learn how to teach someone with certain disabilities to experience yoga. We all experience yoga differently but it was incredible to be able to understand from a different point of view how to get all the benefits of yoga even without doing the full asana. He adapted it in a way that everyone can feel it even if it is through meditation. Amazing.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire title is Waking: a memoir of trauma and transcendence. It is a biography about a boy, 13, who loses his father, sister and most of himself in a car accident. It is how he comes to terms with becoming a parapilegic, and finally finds a reconnection to his body through yoga. I appreciated this book due to my brain injury and applaud his persistence and candid picture of the long and surprisingly rewarding road to recovery.

[kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Sanford's description of his "waking" into his body after a serious accident left him without use of his legs is Important reading for those involved in yoga and those interested in rehabilitation. (So perfect for me.) The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because I wanted more, for example on how he learned to sense he was pushing himself too far. But a fascinating book I know I will return to time and again.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting account of a young man's healing after an accident that left him a paraplegic at the age of 13. Through yoga, he is able to reconnect his mind and body, despite being paralyzed from the nipple line down. Quite an uplifting story of courage and the will to live - both by the mind AND the body!

[Francis Opila · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of tragedy and transcendence. The author talks about how we all eventually experience loss of our bodies, though for most of us it is gradual. With the mind-body connection, he is able to connect with his body, even the parts he can't feel, and with his inner silence. With the aches and pains that have talked to me in recent years, I found this book inspirational.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard a lot about this book while doing my yoga teacher training. It's a good book but I guess it's hard for me to connect with the author since I am (thankfully) not in a similar situation. I think that the last chapter is beautiful and leaves you with something to think about.

[Marsmannix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really thoughtful book. There is only one other book i had to put down b/c of the tragedy, that was Unbroken. Reading about what Matthew went through was excruciating.
many quotable phrases. I'd like to go back and pull some out.

[autum · Rating 4 out of 5]

have just begun, so far, it is refreshing...

[Oksana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read! Very inspiring!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read many moons ago--really poignant and thoughtful, writing style a little cheesy, but a powerful, lasting story.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story. Great insights and a wonderful perspective from someone living the life of a paraplegic. We can all learn so much...

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This amazing book talks about intersection of disability and healing yoga. Healing comes through slow steady presence.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it waould be great and the premise is, especially for me. Young boy is paralyzed and discovers yoga.....plodded along and didn't grab me.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

not an amazingly written book, although I was crying at the powerful ending, but an incredibly important book of wisdom and ideas.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a hard one for me. I liked that the author was able to use yoga as a way to connect to his body and mind after his accident. It just wasn't very interesting. (I feel bad saying that)

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly inspiring in more ways than one.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in moving and inspiring. It's full of lessons about being in touch with and really listening to ourselves.

[Caprice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has given me perspective on how to honor my body and to also understand and accept that we undergo many "deaths" throughout our lives.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT, GREAT BOOK. Read this book!