Happy Yoga: 7 Reasons Why There's Nothing to Worry About by Steve Ross

Happy Yoga: 7 Reasons Why There's Nothing to Worry About Reviews

• 
  Steffy

  Really, one of the best books I have ever read. So, you think it's going to be all about yoga...well, it's not! It's about life and our preconceived notions, all of the going, going, going we do in life and what we put into our bodies, and the thoughts that we generate. For anyone that wants to slow down and take a breath, please read.
• 
  Brittanie

  I know a lot of people love this book but it just didn't strike me as the gem everyone else thinks it is. I did read this after reading the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras and The Four Agreements, and all those books lay out the same themes and ideas as this book in a more complete and complex way. Maybe that's the draw of this book — it's the most basic and accessible description of many of the beliefs that make up yoga.
  
  I did enjoy the chapter on death and dying. What I didn't enjoy was some of the non-inclusive language in the book. At first I was pleased that when Ross introduced the topic of concepts (or what The Four Agreements would call "agreements") in the first chapter, he specifically mentioned centuries of misogynistic thinking as an example. (Other examples include the Holocaust and racism in the US — see page 16). Score one for feminism/humanism.
  
  But in the very next chaoter, on love, he writes "Men and women mate because he starts where she leaves off. They each have what the other lacks. The are perfect physical complements to each other. Physical union is pleasurable because a certain polarity, or separateness, is alleviated for a moment." (page 58) WHOA THERE heteronormativity. Don't go speaking for everyone here. THEN, in the same chapter, he writes about how all women are shoe-loving gold-diggers, and that their urge to shop is second only to their urge to get married and have babies (page 63).
  
  Pretty much had a hard time taking him seriously after that.
• 
  Mary

  I wish Goodreads had a category for tried-to-read-but-abandoned. I didn't really read this. Just enough to be annoyed by the cloyingly sweet approach. Makes yoga sound like a bad hallmark card. My apologies for giving and/or recommending this book.
• 
  Katie

  I liked this book well enough. I think it's a good start for someone looking to learn more about what yoga's about. Not that I'm an enlightened being, or a supreme yogi, but a lot of what I was reading wasn't necessarily new to me (thanks, teacher training and four years of practicing yoga!), but I wasn't always keen on Ross's writing style. I felt at times his tone was flippant (for example, asking something like 'why would you want to go to the mall?' or some such, and answering the question in a way that just rubbed me wrong). Sometimes, I just think it was a simple matter of a dislike of word choice. For example: "Expecting happiness from an identity you’ve purchased is delusional." Labeling a thought "delusional" is something I take issue with, especially when it's coming from a nonjudgmental yogi. I felt a few times as if I was being made fun of for certain behaviors and beliefs, and it just didn't sit right with me.
  
  Criticisms aside, I did come away with some good nuggets. On the whole, though, this is a recommended pass for me.
• 
  Kelly

  I love the Steve Ross Inhale yoga classes - but this was difficult to stomach. I didn't come to this book expecting to find a lot of nutrition and lifestyle advice. I was really turned off by his pseudo-sciencey arguments for stress, sleep, sex, veganism, etc. throw in a few stats, make some flip comments, then finish with a glib joke. Not for me. It was hollow and came off as disingenuous and belittling.
• 
  Annette

  I loved re-reading this book, as I experience something each time. My favorite quote on this ride: “If you ever watched a flower,…you can see love pouring out of it. It has no demands: it loves existence: It loves the sun, it loves to be nourished, it loves to live, and it loves to die.” As we all search for truth and fulfillment in our own way, so glad I’m on this path. What lies deeper than our thoughts is the journey Steve Ross takes us through in a lighthearted way.
  
• 
  Amelia

  Half excellent wisdom about the nature of happiness (and how to be happy), and half really weird and extreme views I don't really agree with. Fulfilled its purpose of helping me be happier, but there was a lot of stuff I chose to disregard/was not comfortable with.
• 
  Dilek

  In general, I have several books by my side during the week. Mostly these books are irrelevant to each other. For instance last time I had Stephan Hawkings Universe in a Nutshell, Classical Ottoman Poetry, Dostoveski’s Demons, Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Cronicles of a Murder and this final book I have finished: Happy Yoga by Steve Ross.
  
  Happy Yoga
  
  Happy Yoga reasons why there is nothing to worry about in seven parts (Hard to believe!). The book is mainly established around the inner logic of yoga and yogis, going beyond yoga as we know it.
  
  What I like most about this book is mind tickling idioms at the beginning of each part. Also, this book provides a journey in itself for people who are seeking for an inner logic, truth beyond the physical realites of the world.
  
  Although I am pisces and it is not the hardest thing to follow such mindfulness journeys in my imagination, sometimes I find book’s advices a bit unrealistic to apply: Following a vegan diet (milk is only good for caves), and everything will be alright if you let it go totally (Seriously, I am coming from Turkiye and we are not used to let things go that easily).
  
  Even though I found it hard to apply this week I am challenging myself with a vegan diet. It is one of worst things that you can do a carnivore. I thought I would starve to death! It is my fifth day and I still survive believe it not more energic! (Ok I would not say no to a cheese cake beside my coffee, I should admit, but anyway it worths trying)
  
  I want to finish sharing some of these wise advises in the book:
  
  Wherever my travels may lead, paradise is where I am.
  
  Voltaire
  
  Nothing was, nothing will be, and everything has reality and presence.
  
  Herman Hesse, Sidharta
  
  Your true nature is beyond description. It cannot be known with the mind, yet it exists. It is the source of everything.
  
  Nisargadatta Maharaj
  
  Anything more than the truth would be too much.
  
  Robert Frost
  
  You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quite still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.
  
  Franz Kafka
  
  
  http://betweenthecoffeebeanandtealeaf.wordpress.com/books/
  
• 
  Edison G.S.

  What did the yogi say to the hot dog vendor? Make me one with everything
  
  This joke had me laughing hard. Steve Ross has a writing style that uses plenty of metaphors to make it easier to follow the contents. He will humor you whenever possible, making reading this book entertaining and enlightening at the same time. The book is divided in seven parts and it basically is bringing the message that life is great as it is although people tend to make things complicated due to the ego’s actions. Specifically we tend to deter our spit progress in seven areas that will be addressed, such as physical appearance, daily routine, death and love.
  The one thing I disagreed with was that he seems to suggest that to meditate you should quiet your mind and focus. This would make things confusing to someone new to meditation. In fact, trying to force your mind to stop would only make matters worse. Instead you allow your mind to be, you observe the thoughts that come during meditation and then you let them go. The mind will quiet down on its own when you reach a higher state of consciousness. In short it’s something you can force.
  Now, I clearly don’t know as much as he does about spirituality so maybe I misunderstood it or maybe it was just a wording error.
• 
  Kate

  Even if you don't do yoga, read this book! There is so much life philosophy in here that rang my bells. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
  
  "Right underneath your thoughts and negative emotions exists an ocean of love. One has but to quiet the mind to experience it."
  
  "If you really pay attention, your life becomes your guru."
  
  "Love, bliss and peace are your natural condition."
  
  "What might seem like problems may actually be invitations for change."
  
  "You don't need to do anything. Just allow work to be done by the divine, through you."
  
  "Be motivated by your fears and resistances. Look at them like you would a hallucination. What's real?"
  
  "Life on earth in a body is an exceptionally rare opportunity for transformation."
  
  "There's certainty in realizing that you don't know everything."
  
  "You didn't just take form to eat, drink, mate, acquire possessions, get status, and die. You came here to find out who you truly are."
  
  "Fear ... is caused by living in an imaginary future. It needs a future to sustain itself. You have no idea what the future holds--no one does. Therefore the solution is to continually bring your attention back to this moment."
• 
  Poppy Filipponi

  Years ago I used to wake up early each morning to join in on Inhale with Steve Ross. I was never great at yoga, but I tried really hard and loved it! I wish his show still aired! I am so glad that I found this book. It will have to be my next best thing.
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this book! No, no... that doesn't quite express it. This book is a must read! If you have stress in your life (and who doesn't), if you have forgotten about happiness being an essential part of your daily life, if you have given up on eating for health and eat for convenience... this is a book for you. All wrapped up with that "Steve Ross" humor in insight.
  
  I actually just went online and purchased a copy for my daughter to put in her stocking. This book is about life and happiness just as much (or more so) as it is about yoga. I think it will be a great book for my college student to read as she sets out on her great adventure... and to have on hand when she needs a reminder of the 7 reasons that there is nothing to worry about.
  
  
• 
  Missy

  I first read this book in 2006 and I only gave it four stars, but I knew it was a mistake. Upon the rereading I have decided to bump it up! Even if you don't do yoga- this book will make you happy. It's not just the title. It's taken me 7 years to do a reread and the actual review. I almost forgot how awesome this book is..........if only for the playlists featured on the end of the chapters! haha I remember sweating to those very songs while doing yoga w/ Steve and company on "Inhale". I really wish he had another show, as my body is in anarchy. ;) This book is an infinite supply of knowledge. The stories are interesting, as well as immensely helpful to life. I did manage to do a couple of the yoga poses while reading the book and felt so accomplished when I did. The book is written w/ humor and deep thoughts- just about the only things that I like to think about. Great stuff!!
• 
  Sara

  wonderful!
  natalie's review prompted me to track this book down. i was thrilled to find it used at powell's, and while it took me a while to finish it, it was very much worth it. i'll admit that a great deal of steve ross' discussion on LA lifestyle and culture didn't do much for me, there were so many gems hidden in this book that i will certainly recommend it to many. (as a matter of fact, my friend liz has borrowed my copy to read while she crafts her journal component of her yoga teacher training application...) in particular, ross' exploration of death and the divine felt very pertinent and needed in this chapter of my life...i found peace in his words...and also a great deal of laughter as i re-visited some of my unchecked beliefs and assumptions...
  
• 
  Gemma

  OK, I was a little pertubed by some of the pseudo scientific claims in the 'You're Not Fat (and neither am I) chapter, but being the sister of a mollecular bioligist and the daughter of 2 science teachers I'm apt to be sceptical without independent peer reviewed journals. I also thouroughly disagree with Steve Ross' take on therapy and medication. But as Steve Ross states it's good to question those trying to give you information.
  
  So, why 5 stars.....this book was a life changing read. I read it in 2 days but I'll come back to it again and again. His meditation and contemplation techniques in addition to how simply he explains massive concepts is amazing. This is one of my favourite books - if you have an interest in yoga and meditation or, indeed as growing as a person - read it!
• 
  Natalie Halt

  At the present moment, this is my most favorite most meaningful most grounding read of them all. Steve Ross can be a bit silly at times, but get the guy expounding on identification with roles, seeking love within oneself, changing one's world from the inside outward (just to name a few themes from the text)... it is an eloquent read, indeed. I have already gone through it twice (almost) and will begin my third journey as soon as the final page turns. Even if you don't practice yoga this book is a must read...
• 
  Jess

  The book overall has a lot of useful information. I will be referencing back a lot as I journal in preparation for YTT. The second half of the book was my favorite. Love the contemplation and meditation section towards the end. However there were sections that I found were a tad judgemental it irked me every time he mentioned materialistic happiness... yes, we know that type of happiness is only temporary but we shouldn’t be made to feel as it makes us less spiritual. We all enjoy treating ourselves occasionally but I don’t know... I don’t know everything :-)
• 
  Lauren

  I love Steve Ross. I used to do his yoga class on tv every morning when it was on Oxygen. I was devastated when it went they took it off the air. He is such a positive dude and helped this "not-a-morning person" turn into a tolerable morning person. I was happy when I found this book and it was everything I had hoped for. While not a substitution for the yoga class, it is a great read for anyone who needs to remember what life is really about. Stop stressing so dang much!
• 
  Melea Rose-Waters

  I'm moving this off of my currently reading list to read, even though I haven't finished it. This book is a work in progress and I don't know that I will ever be completely finished with it. I love it!! There are a lot of questions and answers I want to go through and fill out in the book. It will stay on my nightstand for an indefinite period of time. :)
• 
  Annalee Porter

  Amazing -- he regurgitates ancient wisdom with a giggle and Tupac quotes. I couldn't read it fast enough. Everything he says makes so much sense and he sense it in a way that makes you want to stuff your face with lettuce and happy yoga. Go get it.
• 
  Emily

  This is my favorite yoga book ever. It changed my life. (That's not an exaggeration) And every time I go back to this book I get new things out of it.
• 
  John

  Truly a tour de force- an insightful roadmap for finding the true nature of who you are.
• 
  Julie Komarc

  Great read for finding happiness and making sense in this crazy world!
• 
  Elizabeth

  This was a nice, reflective read. While I got this book thinking it would be more about yoga poses, I was pleased to find that it is actually more about the spiritual, introspective elements of yoga- of finding your center, instilling peace and being present in your life. I quite enjoyed reading this each evening as a relaxing and centering end of day activity. Quite nice.
• 
  Kathleen Celmins

  I really liked this. It's written in an approachable manner, and offers a completely different way to think about... well, life. Some of the extrapolations and conclusions are... tenuous, at best (there's a comparison of feeding cats raw food to telling humans to consume more raw food, forgetting that we are not cats) but overall, it's really excellent. I'd recommend it.
• 
  Courtney Stout

  I especially enjoyed the section on nutrition and hydration, so informative and interesting!