yoga

Transformative Personal Declarations Of Yoga For Everyone. {book review}

“Something happens when you begin to practice Yoga regularly. As you wake up to life, it wakes up to you. Your perspective shifts and new paths, people, and opportunities are revealed. The change happens gradually but one day you realize a fundamental shift has taken place.” ~ Stacey Rosenberg, Yoga Instructor

The right book comes along at the right time. I truly appreciate synchronistic moments. The Yoga Diaries: Stories of Transformation through Yoga, edited and compiled by Jeannie Page, is that particular book.

It is filled with 30 personal declarations of how Yoga provides the groundwork of transparency and transformation. As I read through the courageous and difficult, compelling and eloquent personal revelations, I felt as if I were holding sacred space.

Poignant, kind and liberating, the words communicated inner wisdom and vulnerability.

Each entry accentuates authenticity.

A voice inside of me kept hearing a repetitive theme: We need to have and share these stories because they are the rich web that strengthens and reminds us of where and who we have become.Ultimately, Yoga unfolds, releases and creates an inner soul-connection.

One of the most beautiful aspects of this book is, Yoga is different for everyone. That’s the beauty of our stories. Each one is unique just as we are unique.

“Now that I have the chance to reflect on all that has unfolded, I see gratitude arising towards circumstances and people that I used to consider the source of my wounds. I can see that the people and situations that I used to blame were actually the ones who pulled me to this path. Perhaps without the presence of painful experiences, I would not have had the need to look for something bigger. Life shakes us to wake us, so today I appreciate all the pain and fear that I experienced in the past.” ~ Natalia Chaparro, Yoga Teacher and Health Coach

The Yoga Diaries is presented in four parts: Stories of Physical Healing. Emotional Healing. Overcoming Adversity and Living Your Purpose.

It is a steady, flowing rhythm where people share real stories and how the process of Yoga transformed them, from whatever they were confronting (i.e., weight issues, depression, addiction, grief or physical limitations).

It is an inspiration.

As an additional resource, Yoga Diaries has an extensive set of resource pages for further reading enrichment and studies, followed by a glossary which I found quite refreshing as various forms of Yoga and terms were explored from Ashtanga Yoga to Uddiyana bandha.

There is definitely an encouraging word for everyone in this book. As well as a strong pull and feeling — a knowing — we are all connected via Yoga’s powerful healing process.

In the words of the editor and author, Jeannie Page, “Yoga radically changed my own life and I have seen it transform the lives of hundreds of people around me, so often in mind-blowing and magical ways.”

I highly recommend taking the time to read and witness for yourself the power of the Yoga Diaries.

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Carolyn Riker

Carolyn Riker

Carolyn Riker, M.A., LMHC, is a counselor, teacher, writer and poet. She currently writes for several online journals such as Women’s Spiritual Poetry blog and formerly Elephant Journal. A collection of her work is on her blog, Magic of Stardust and Words. Her poetry and prose have been featured in three books. Between sips of coffee and navigating life via the stars and moon, Carolyn leads journal-writing workshops and has a private counseling practice. Additionally, she’s in the process of completing her first collection of poetry and prose, available in the fall of 2016. Followed with a bit of magic, there's a children’s book too.
Carolyn Riker
Carolyn Riker