PDF Meditations from the Mat Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga Rolf Gates Katrina Kenison 8580001068718 Books

Product details Paperback 448 pages Publisher Anchor; 1 edition (December 3, 2002) Language English ISBN-10 0385721544

Meditations from the Mat Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga Rolf Gates Katrina Kenison 8580001068718 Books Reviews

• LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this book. I really enjoyed reading it every day. It is designed to be read one entry at a time (once a day for a year), but often I found myself reading ten or fifteen entries. Every entry comes with an epigraph (I am a huge fan of epigraphs)and the entry expounds upon that epigraph.
  The reason I give it four stars instead of five is because Gates has a little bit of loggorhea when it comes to discussing God. It gets on my nerves. Everyone knows that yoga is accessible to everyone regardless of religious affiliation (or lack thereof). I don't have a problem with his stating his own belief and connection with God, but it starts to get repetitious and rather prescriptive. Furthermore, his AA background comes up a little too often. That twelve step mentality seems a little out of place on occasion. That said, this book is absolutely rife with flashes of brilliance. It's very informative in discussing the yamas and niyamas. In fact, it discusses, at length, all 8 limbs of the yogic path/discipline. It's not just about the asanas. I recognized more than a little familiarity with my own yoga experiences--both the high points and frustrations. Furthermore, it really drives home the point that while yoga is about developing a life-long practice and becoming introspective in our practice, we also come to recognize the importance of community. I was a little sad at coming to the last page. I wanted it to go on forever. I will definitely read it again.
  Recommended.
• This book exceeded my expectations. Being only somewhat experienced in the physical aspects of yoga, and being COMPLETELY inexperienced in the spiritual/philosophical aspects of yoga, I found this book to be incredibly interesting and informative. I loved the style of his writing, as well as the content and format. Wonderful, inspiring, and thought-provoking book. I highly recommend to those new to yoga or those who have been involved with it for years - I think it would inspire all levels/types of yoga practitioners.
• I was so surprised to see the one or two star reviews that I had to write one. I had this book for about a year before I actually started teaching a class myself. Yes, it leans, sometimes, on 12-step philosophy and religious bent sometimes. But so does Patanjali and I am still trying to translate the god stuff into my own secular language. And the 12-step phrases come straight out of the same bowl we in yoga are dipping, practicing these principles in all our affairs, or, focusing on principles over personality. My students often relate and nod. I don't read an entire long thing to them, I will paraphrase. They like it. It fits in with the Sutra we are on that week, or it fits in with a theme, or one doesn't have to read from the exact same day. This book quotes many people, a wide variety, appropriately. And I also get the sense the author walks the talk. Just sayin'.
• Sure, some might say this book can be a bit cheesy, or a weird read, but it's amazing for what it is. What it is, is simply a daily prompt for reflection. I pick the book up every morning and read a whatever it is for that day (I don't try to read more than the content for one day, it's usually just a couple of paragraphs, which take a minute or two to read).
  
  It provides me with a starting point for my day, helps me think, opens up my mind, challenges me, inspires me, but more importantly, allows me that time to simply be for a minute or two. It's like being on my mat, in that this is my space and time where I get to think about how my practice extends from my mat into my life. It's been a great help for me, and my wife.
  
  I don't think this book is limited to students of yoga, but it is an extremely useful tool for them. It's great to have this everyday, and especially for the those days when I don't get on my mat. I highly recommend it.
• This book sits next to "my" chair in the living room, and I pick it up daily for contemplation and inspiration. I confess to generally reading more than one entry at a time, but I know I will be reading it again and again. Rolf has done a great job of combining the ancient teachings of yoga with inspiration from spiritual leaders of all faiths and everyday people as well. It is apparent that he walks the path, and he shares his struggles and his insights with us. Even though he is a more accomplished yoga student and a more learned yoga scholar than I am, I feel as though we share a bond of longing and discovery. I highly recommend this book.
• I'm on day 8 and I'm loving this book. It's like a yoga fortune cookie you get to unwrap and digest every morning. I read right after my practice, when I'm at my mellowest and then go about the day letting it percolate.
  
  Entries seem to vary in length from 1-3 pages. I like that though, no long winded diatribes. Just a singular concept, musing, or value to get across and then you're done.
• Lovely book, gentle, non-judgemental, perceptive wisdom. Excellent quotes and follow-up text. Easy education of the Yamas and Niyamas, patterns to renounce or cultivate. You don’t need to be a yoga practitioner to benefit from this book. I recommend it whole-heartedly.
• This book is better than I anticipated. Ideas are well-conveyed, thought provoking, and meditations are meaningful. I want to buy all of this authors books now!