Judith Hanson Lasater has been teaching an annual yoga retreat at Feathered Pipe Ranch, in Helena, Montana, for 28 years. When she learned that one of her students was collecting Lasater’s thoughts — which she called “Judith’s aphorisms” — Lasater decided to collect them in this book. Featuring one thought for each day of the year, along with a suggested practice, these brief, powerful insights reflect the author’s knowledge of classic yoga philosophy and years of experience. Humorous, inspiring, and surprisingly down-to-earth, they guide seekers both on and off the yoga mat. These aphorisms address love, asana, fear, trust, expectations, pranayama, suffering, laughter, presence, the Yoga Sutra, and much more. They emphasize the experience of being present to one's self and to life’s ups and downs — day by day, breath by breath, moment by moment. A Year of Living Your Yoga is a gentle invitation to readers to know themselves on a deeper level.
Must Have For AllOctober 9, 2008 Whether you practice yoga or are just living life this is a must for all libraries. Everyday I find a tidbit that is useful. I share passages with my husband and during sivasana with students. How are you living your yoga?
Daily Inspirational ThoughtsAugust 1, 2008 I have this book on my desk at work. As my staff comes into my office, I make it a practice to read the daily words of inspiration. It creates a positive atmosphere in my working environment.
A great reminder on what Yoga is all about!July 29, 2008 Yoga is so much more than just Asanas. And this book reminds you of that. Another great book by Judith. A must have for those gentle reminders. This book is also great for those of you teaching yoga. Share these great little clips with your class.
A nice daily dose of yogic teachings in a small packageJuly 6, 2008 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This small hardback book falls under the category of "calendar book" and is also what I term a "bathroom book."
You don't sit down and read this like a novel - what you get are tiny, thoughtful blurbs, one for each date of they year, about bringing yoga into all areas of your life.
Sometimes the book is a bit too simple with nuggets like: You need a red pair of shoes! Drive the speed limit! Or, chocolate is sacred and you deserve to eat some!
And there are a lot of family-oriented homilies such as reminders to model behavior for your grandchildren. This is a wasted day if you don't have children, much less grandkids! But in the days where something does not apply to me I try to mentally replace the words, as in, "model behavior for your nieces," or just flip around to find a blurb that speaks to me instead of the one slotted for that particular date.
The VAST majority of the daily aphorisms (teachings) are quite thoughtful, providing good spiritual reminders towards bringing your yoga practice into your daily existence. Sometimes I resist these little "daily dose" type books as simplistic and honey, but this one is worthwhile.
For example, September 23 reminds us the nature of the mind is to be agitated. The author gently reminds us in an aphorism about meditation that this is to be expected, and that's it's better to *be* with your mental agitation than to try to control or eliminate it. June 29th just recently reminded me to love people in spite of themselves, in spite of myself (a very useful daily mantra when seeking peace in all kinds of frustrating interactions).
One can use this book also as an adjunct to writing in a personal yoga journal. If I wasn't lazy about journaling, I think I'd find that pretty useful. :)
More uses: this would be a very nice gift book for anyone exploring yoga. It would make a good by the bedside kind of book, for people to meditate on these ideas upon arising or before sleep. Or take the book along on any mass transit commutes, to read and think when traveling.
As for myself, I keep it in the bathroom, so I may mull over my relationship with the teachings as I sit on the throne. :)
inspirationalJune 9, 2008 I love this book! it's tiny, so you can fit it in your yoga bag, and has an inspirational way to live your yoga everyday. It came in great condition, and pretty quickly.
