Hell-Bent: Obsession, Pain, and the Search for Something Like Transcendence in Competitive Yoga

Hell-Bent: Obsession, Pain, and the Search for Something Like Transcendence in Competitive Yoga
Author: Benjamin Lorr
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Total Pages: 322
Release: 2012-10-30
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 1250017521

Author Benjamin Lorr wandered into a yoga studio—and fell down a rabbit hole Hell-Bent explores a fascinating, often surreal world at the extremes of American yoga. Benjamin Lorr walked into his first yoga studio on a whim, overweight and curious, and quickly found the yoga reinventing his life. He was studying Bikram Yoga (or "hot yoga") when a run-in with a master and competitive yoga champion led him into an obsessive subculture—a group of yogis for whom eight hours of practice a day in 110- degree heat was just the beginning. So begins a journey. Populated by athletic prodigies, wide-eyed celebrities, legitimate medical miracles, and predatory hucksters, it's a nation-spanning trip—from the jam-packed studios of New York to the athletic performance labs of the University of Oregon to the stage at the National Yoga Asana Championship, where Lorr competes for glory. The culmination of two years of research, and featuring hundreds of interviews with yogis, scientists, doctors, and scholars, Hell-Bent is a wild exploration. A look at the science behind a controversial practice, a story of greed, narcissism, and corruption, and a mind-bending tale of personal transformation, it is a book that will not only challenge your conception of yoga, but will change the way you view the fragile, inspirational limits of the human body itself.

Hell-Bent

Hell-Bent
Author: Benjamin Lorr
Publisher: Bloomsbury UK
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2013-01-03
Genre: Hatha yoga
ISBN: 9781408836392

Hell-Bent explores the fascinating, often surreal world of Bikram Yoga, a style taught to millions by a very living guru, Bikram Choudhury. Bikram Yoga is distinguished from more 'conventional' forms by the extreme heat it is practised in, an overt, almost masochistic focus on pain, and the rabid materialism of its founder. It is also distinguished by impressive results - sport stars such as David Beckham and Andy Murray swear by it, while body-conscious supermodels rave about its benefits, and even Prince Harry is rumoured to be a fan. Benjamin Lorr walked into his first yoga studio on a whim, overweight and curious, and quickly found the yoga reinventing his life. He was content to slim down and tone up until a run-in with a competitive yoga champion convinced him to take his practice to the next level: to train for the national championship. So begins a journey into the strange, amazing world of competitive yoga. Populated by athletic prodigies, wide-eyed celebrities, medical miracles, and predatory hucksters, Hell-Bent follows Lorr as he grapples with his new obsession: researching the health claims and history, humanising its maniacal guru, and eventually stepping on stage at the National Asana Championship to compete for glory. The culmination of two years of research, featuring hundreds of interviews with yogis, scientists, doctors and scholars, Hell-Bent is a wild exploration. A look at the science behind a controversial practice, a story of greed and corruption, and a mind-bending tale of personal transformation, it is a book that will not only challenge your conception of yoga, but change the way you view the fragile, inspirational potential of the human body.

The Story of Yoga

The Story of Yoga
Author: Alistair Shearer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages:
Release: 2020-02-15
Genre: History
ISBN: 1787383725

How did an ancient Indian spiritual discipline turn into a $20+ billion-a-year mainstay of the global wellness industry? What happened along yoga's winding path from the caves and forests of the sages to the gyms, hospitals and village halls of the modern West? This comprehensive history sets yoga in its global cultural context for the first time. It leads us on a fascinating journey across the world, from arcane religious rituals and medieval body-magic, through muscular Christianity and the British Raj, to the Indian nationalist movement and the arrival of yoga in the twentieth-century West. We discover how the practice reached its present-day ubiquity and how it became embedded in powerful social currents shaping the world's future, such as feminism, digital media, celebrity culture, the stress pandemic and the quest for an authentic identity in the face of unprecedented change. Shearer's revealing history boasts a colorful cast of characters past and present, who tell an engaging tale of scholars and scandal, science and spirit, wisdom and waywardness. This is the untold story of yoga, warts and all.

Survivors on the Yoga Mat

Survivors on the Yoga Mat
Author: Becky Thompson, PhD
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Total Pages: 329
Release: 2014-09-09
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN: 1583948260

An inspiring collection of essays that reveal the healing power of yoga, Survivors on the Yoga Mat is an ideal companion for trauma survivors and yoga teachers alike. Weaving together stories from her classes, travels, and workshops, author Becky Thompson shows the brave and unique ways that survivors approach yoga: the creative ways that they practice, the challenges they face, and the transformative experiences they discover. Thompson skillfully draws connections between yoga and social-justice activism, demonstrating how a trauma-sensitive approach to yoga makes room for all of us—across race, class, gender, religion and nationality. Survivors on the Yoga Mat offers stories, reflections, and meditations for people who are healing from a wide range of traumas—sexual abuse, accidents, child abuse, war, illnesses, incarceration, and other injuries. The book consists of 90 true stories—alternately funny, surprising, and irreverent—that together provide a roadmap for survivors on their journey to wholeness. Organized into six sections, the book explores the challenges of beginning a yoga practice; the unique strengths of trauma survivors; the circuitous path of healing; yoga's value as a lifelong practice; the special role of teachers; and the potential of yoga as an avenue for activism. Also included is a description of Pantajali's Eight Limbs of Yoga, a list of resources, an appendix explaining the different styles of yoga, and a beautiful photo glossary with over 100 photos of the yoga postures mentioned in the book.

Yoga and Meditation at the Library

Yoga and Meditation at the Library
Author: Jenn Carson
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 185
Release: 2019-05-15
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 153811688X

Yoga and meditation have a proven track record of lowering stress levels, helping to treat mental health issues such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, building community, and contributing to an overall sense of wellbeing in their practitioners. According to recent surveys, 1/4 of North American libraries have offered meditation programs and 2/3 have offered yoga classes. Carson, a professional yoga teacher and library director, has been leading yoga and meditation programs in schools and libraries for over a decade, and she presents this guidebook to give others the tools for serving library patrons of all ages and abilities. Inside Yoga and Meditation at the Library, you will find 21 program models, including choreographed yoga sequences complete with pictures, passive program ideas, alternative collections suggestions, budget considerations, literacy tie-ins, and checklists for prep, teardown, and follow-up, as well as advice from real-world program delivery. Chapters include: What are Mindfulness and Meditation? What is Yoga? Implementing Yoga and Meditation Programs in Your Library Choosing Resources and Designing Spaces Passive Programs and Alternative Collections Policies and Procedures for Avoiding and Handling Problems Yoga and Meditation for the Early Years Yoga and Meditation for Elementary-Age Students Yoga and Meditation for Teens and Young Adults Yoga and Meditation for Adults and Seniors Yoga for Every Body: Inclusive Programming through Outreach and Inreach This book is for any programming librarian, administrator, yoga and meditation teacher, or outreach coordinator looking to boost circulation stats, program numbers, literacy rates, and foster health and wellness in their community.

Yoga Therapy

Yoga Therapy
Author: Ellen G. Horovitz
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 235
Release: 2015-03-27
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1317597907

Yoga Therapy: Theory and Practice is a vital guidebook for any clinician or scholar looking to integrate yoga into the medical and mental health fields. Chapters are written by expert yoga therapy practitioners and offer theoretical, historical, and practice-based instruction on cutting-edge topics such as application of yoga therapy to anger management and the intersection of yoga therapy and epigenetics; many chapters also include Q&A "self-inquiries." Readers will find that Yoga Therapy is the perfect guide for practitioners looking for new techniques as well as those hoping to begin from scratch with yoga therapy.

Yoga Adjustments

Yoga Adjustments
Author: Mark Stephens
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Total Pages: 417
Release: 2014-06-03
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 1583947841

The quintessential guide to yoga assisting and hands-on teaching, Yoga Adjustments introduces the art and practice of providing yoga assists to yoga students. Addressing one of the most important topics in the yoga field, expert yoga instructor and best-selling author Mark Stephens covers the philosophy of yoga practice, the sensibilities of touch in teaching yoga and improving alignment, the seven principles of hands-on yoga teaching, and the twenty-five most effective methods of tactile cueing. An invaluable resource for all yoga teachers, teacher trainers, and serious yoga students, this book includes a foreword by yoga star Shiva Rea as well as over 850 unique instructional photos and explanatory captions demonstrating precise ways of guiding a variety of flowing sequences. Opening with an in-depth discussion of the philosophy of yoga assisting, Part I--Foundations describes the methods and techniques of giving yoga assistance, with detailed discussions of all of the elements of yoga assisting including communicating with students, qualities of touch, the five basic steps of providing hands-on cues, hands-on positioning and stance. Part II--Applications demonstrates how to assist students in each of over 100 postures in the seven families of asanas (poses). Each chapter begins with background on an asana family and close consideration of its foundation asana. Each asana is presented in a two-page spread with photos that show how to give students effective guidance and support. Part III--Evolution offers thoughts on the further development of yoga in the twenty-first century.

Misadventures of a Parenting Yogi

Misadventures of a Parenting Yogi
Author: Brian Leaf
Publisher: New World Library
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2014-04-06
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 1608682676

In this hilarious, heartfelt book, Brian Leaf tackles parenting with a unique blend of research and humor. He explores Attachment Parenting, as well as Playful, Unconditional, Simplicity, and good old Dr. Spock parenting. He tries cloth diapers, no diapers, cosleeping, and no sleeping. Join him on his rollicking journey in this one-of-a-kind parenting guide.

Yoga Therapy

Yoga Therapy
Author: Mark Stephens
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Total Pages: 721
Release: 2017-11-07
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 1623171075

Introducing practical, yoga-based tools for working with a wide array of common injuries and ailments, from ankle sprains to vertigo—by the bestselling author of Teaching Yoga With asanas, pranayamas, and meditations specific to each health condition, this is the ultimate guide for yoga teachers looking to adapt their classes to the diverse needs of their students. Surveying historical writings on yoga, ayurveda, and scientific medical approaches to health and healing, Mark Stephens distills this received wisdom of ancient and modern practices for more insightful and practical application in today’s world. He applies these insights to healing musculoskeletal injuries; promoting a healthy reproductive system; and addressing mental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. With each health condition, Stephens applies yoga to the most recent evidence-based practices for healing, offering an integral place for yoga in integrative health practices. Yoga Therapy is a practical manual with a systematic approach of considering the nature of each health condition and the specific asanas, pranayamas, and meditations most helpful in healing it. Rather than adopting a narrow medical model of healing as the reduction or elimination of symptoms, Stephens invites yoga therapists, teachers and students to relate to health as a continuous, dynamic process of self-care in which the qualities of personal experience and social connectivity matter. Stephens illustrates that how we live our lives—including our emotional states, nutrition, sleep, relationships, and sense of purpose—is reflected in our sense of balance (or imbalance) and well-being (or disease). Comprehensive, accessible, and informed by decades of deep study, practice, and teaching, this is an indispensable reference.