Every Body Yoga - Book Summary (2024)

The Eight-Limbed Path of Yoga, as outlined by the ancient sage Patanjali, serves as a comprehensive guide to living a purposeful and meaningful life. This path is composed of eight elements: yamas, niyamas, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi.

The yamas, or restraints, remind us of our responsibilities to others and include principles such as nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from covetousness, chastity, and freedom from desire. The niyamas, or disciplines, remind us of our responsibilities to ourselves and include principles such as cleanliness, contentment, austerity, self-study, and devotion to the divine.

Asana, the physical poses of yoga, are designed to generate energy within the body to strengthen and purify the self as a whole. Pranayama, or breath control, is used to control the energy within the body. Pratyahara, or withdrawal of the senses, allows practitioners to detach from external distractions and focus inward.

Dharana, or concentration, involves focusing the mind on a single point to prepare for meditation. Dhyana, or meditation, is the practice of sustained concentration, where the mind is quiet and focused on the present moment. Finally, samadhi, or bliss, is the ultimate goal of the Eight-Limbed Path, where the practitioner experiences a state of deep, blissful awareness.

Practicing these elements can lead to self-discipline, honesty, and a sense of internal harmony. For example, a practitioner might start with a focus on asana, but as they incorporate other elements like meditation and contentment, they may find their perspective on the world and themselves shifting, leading to a deeper understanding and a more fulfilling life.

"Every Body Yoga" by Jessamyn Stanley is a guide to embracing yoga regardless of body type, age, or ability. Stanley emphasizes that yoga is for everyone and encourages readers to let go of fear and self-judgment. She provides a crash course in yoga, breaking down the basics of modern yogic history, the core elements of the eight-limbed path, and various modern yoga styles. Stanley also shares her personal journey with yoga, detailing how it helped her overcome self-loathing and find self-acceptance. The book includes a series of yoga sequences tailored to specific moods and emotional needs.

10 Actions to Implement Learnings:

1. Start practicing yoga regardless of your body type, age, or ability.
2. Let go of fear and self-judgment when practicing yoga.
3. Learn about the history of yoga and the eight-limbed path.
4. Choose a yoga style that suits your needs and preferences.
5. Invest in yoga tools and supplies that will enhance your practice.
6. Practice key yoga poses to establish a strong foundation in yoga asana.
7. Follow yoga sequences tailored to specific moods and emotional needs.
8. Use yoga as a tool to overcome emotional, physical, and spiritual turmoil.
9. Embrace yoga as a life path, not just a form of exercise.
10. Practice self-love and self-acceptance through yoga.

10 Main Facts:

1. Yoga is for everyone, regardless of body type, age, or ability.
2. Yoga is not just a form of exercise, but a life path that can help overcome emotional, physical, and spiritual turmoil.
3. Yoga can help you let go of fear and self-judgment.
4. The practice of yoga includes more than just physical poses, it also involves breathing, discipline, concentration, and meditation.
5. Yoga can help you accept that you are already perfect and deserve to be happy.
6. Yoga can help you see your life objectively and without judgment.
7. Yoga can help you feel balanced and at peace.
8. Backbends in yoga can energize your spirit and make an incredible impact on the condition of your spirit.
9. Practicing yoga can help you feel more connected to the world around you.
10. Yoga can help you foster a sense of love and compassion for yourself and others.