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

by Steve Ross

Book Overview

After studying yoga in India and traveling all over the world with traditional Vedantic masters, Steve Ross returned to his hometown of Los Angeles with a broadened point of view of what yoga could be. He was surprised to find that yoga classes at home were missing the humor, joy, and celebration that fueled his Eastern studies. Instead of expanding and enhancing the joy of being, Western yoga classes focused obsessively on correcting body positions...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060533390
• ISBN13: 9780060533397
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

This book could change your life

I've read A LOT of self-help books in my life, but this one blows them all out of the water! It totally puts things in perspective, in such a simple way you wonder why you didn't figure it out yourself. As Steve Ross says in the book, sometimes you just need to hear the right words to be able to see the truth. Even if you don't get a life-altering attitude adjustment from the book, you'll probably still enjoy it because it's humorous and fun to read. I don't see how anyone wouldn't enjoy it. I feel like this book is such a treasure, I've given copies to all my loved ones. The most recent loved one I sent it to, simply said "this book is life-changing; I'm at a loss for words" - that's exactly how it feels. I don't think you'll ever regret this purchase! Additional comment: Yes, I have to agree with one of the other reviewers that I couldn't buy the theory that humans are naturally vegetarians. Humans are omnivores and can eat anything - that's part of why we have survived so long and in all kinds of conditions. The author makes a strong case against eating meat - but you don't have to agree with him. This is such a tiny little issue compared to the wealth of information in this book, that I don't think it will detract at all from the experience of reading this book. Don't miss out on everything else the book has to offer because of a trivial issue like this. Update: Nearly 3 years after first reading this book and writing this review, I find my original review a little on the dramatic side. Since then, I've really made it a point to tone down the drama in life and not be pushy about new ideas. Just because I found something right for me, doesn't make it right for someone else. But with that said, I still consider this book the best in my collection. I continue to offer copies of this book to people who are going through difficult times and are looking for answers, without being pushy. I regularly pull this book off the shelf and open it to any random page and start reading; even after reading it so much for 3 years, I still get things out of it because the meaning I find in it changes as I change. I'd still highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for something, who feels there should be more to life than the daily grind, or who just worries a lot. It could open up a whole new dimension of life you never knew was there.

There really is nothing to worry about!

I discovered Steve Ross on the Oxygen network's morning yoga program, "Inhale." I had been cruising along with my light and lovely Suzanne Deason, the strong and gentle Rodney Yee, and the soothing tones of Patricia Walden--all happy members of my video and DVD yoga collection. While surfing through the TiVo listings one day, I came across Steve's yoga program, and my life hasn't been the same since.How happy I was to find Steve's book, Happy Yoga: 7 Reasons Why There's Nothing to Worry About! I happened across it before going on a plane trip, and practically devoured the whole book on the to and from flights, using the yoga sequences listed in the book while on the ground. This book is not a yoga how-to manual--it's a yoga why-to manual. Yes, the poses are there, but this is not a book about getting the poses just so. The yoga Steve shows you is the essence of yoga, the essence of Self, and the finding of joy.The book gives you just what it says: seven reasons why there's nothing to worry about. The chapter on food alone makes the book worth buying, even if you never decide to be a raw foodie vegan (I'm not, but it sure was great, enlightening reading). In each chapter, Steve connects to yogic wisdom, real-world examples, and just plain common sense to give you a true guide to living a yogi's life, even in the hustle and bustle of 21st century America. As he says, anyone can be a deeply connected yogi in a cave in India. It takes talent to do it in the midst of our every day lives.Steve Ross is an irreverent yoga instructor and life guide--just what the "yoga industry" needs, IMO. Try the book, do the Inner Yoga exercises, and watch your life come more into focus. And don't forget to try the playlist selections conveniently provided at the end of each chapter. You'll never do yoga to New Age chanting CDs again!

mind/body fusion

although new to yoga, this book has truly changed my life. it has provided me with a concise guide to living life with joy and love. i especially appreciate steve's humor-- alot of spiritual/yoga practice is just sooooo serious!

My favorite book

For me this book is a complete manual on happy living. With each chapter I felt myself changing as I learned more and more about myself through the author's amazing explanations of love, happiness, and acceptance. "The extent of a person's evolution is proportionate to their acceptance of the unacceptable" I'd recommend "Happy Yoga" even for people who have no intention of practicing the physical side of Yoga. This is a book you will truely treasure for a lifetime.