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

Mr. Ross had a yoga show on Oxygen called "Inhale." I watched it before work at 6am most days, years ago. I saw an Instagram with his photo, and found he is still doing his thing in LA. I follow him again, (you can sign up for meditation on his website,) HOWEVER, this is not intended as a commercial for that, but an honest review of the book: I read it in 2 evenings, and I agree with other reviewers, it is life changing. He is the real deal. If you are stressed out (and who isn't these days???) I promise you will see a difference in how you look at the world, and how much calm you feel engaging wiht his wisdom and joy. He has no pretense, no expectation, and quite frankly he doesn't even seem to try to sell himself because the concept of what he does sell has nothing to do with him, personally. It is entertaining, too, and anyone who remembers that yoga show "Inhale" will be able to hear his voice while reading it, and it makes me smile when I do. THANK YOU STEVE!!

****This is a lovely book ostensibly about yoga (and it is), but more than that, about life. It is about how ordinary people can learn from yogic wisdom and apply it to our mainstream lives. It is about how to be enlightened, simply and happily, rather than rigorously and with struggle.Full of wisdom and strong opinions from the author (especially about veganism---the author is a vegan), you may not agree with everything, but you will enjoy this book greatly and learn a lot. It will make you think and examine your beliefs. It will also make you happy---the subtitle is "7 Reasons Why There's Nothing to Worry About". An example of one secret: "You Can't Get Happy (You Can Only Be Happy)".There are brief questions for reflection throughout the book. It is well-organized.People who will enjoy and benefit from this book are:Those who practice yoga very seriously.Those who have never tried yoga and who wonder what it's all about.Those who think a lot and who spend time worrying.Those who want to "wake up", sensing that they are sleepwalking through their lives and missing something.Other very serious people.This is a happy book, although I wouldn't call it light. It's not heavy, either, though. "Fun" and "deep" would be the best description...well..."happy"---and thus unique. I really enjoyed it. Oftentimes I'd feel happy and blissful just reading it and contemplating on the points the author would make.The only negative about the book is that the yoga postures at the end of each chapter are very advanced---many at the contortionist level---with instructions not anywhere near beginner level. I just looked at the pictures. However, it would be very easy for an uninformed reader to injure themselves while attempting to follow the instructions and illustrations. It would also give a beginner new to yoga the misguided idea that they can't do yoga because it's too hard for them at their fitness level. Untrue! The yoga postures are not, however, vital to the book and can simply be skipped. Still, for this reason I give this wonderful book only four stars.****

Our great and courageous (did I say great and courageous) president allegedly views people as those that "get it" and those that don't. I look at the world of yogis the same way, and Steve Ross DEFINITELY gets it. Most importantly, he calls out all of the other yogis that don't.Specifically, he indicts those that preach fanatical attention to perfection while performing asanas while not appreciating that the attempt itself is what is important (obviously not doing any poses "unsafely). Anyone who has had the pleasure to view Mr. Ross's program on the Oxygen network, Inhale (check your local listings), is immediately struck by the levity and joy in the studio, hence "Happy Yoga."In this book, Mr. Ross addresses the yogi "way of life" much more than the actual asanas. The asanas have been around for over 4,000 years, and despite the claims of other practioners, beyond the "Power Yoga" movement and its connecting movements between asanas, not much new has occurred in the field.In a superior way than all of the other yoga books I've read, he explains "yogi bliss", nutrition, supplementation, the joy of music during practice, relationships, materialism, sex, and the "endless wanting" that leads so many (myself included) to unhappiness. For example, he examines the folly of expecting a "soulmate" to make you whole. Or, the expectation that a newborn child can complete you or make you happy (often to mend a fragile marriage).Mr. Ross emphasizes the importance of relinquishing any hate you have, to love everyone--and everything--uncondtionally, and the joy of laughter. It may sound simple, but he does a wonderful job in explaining it.If you don't agree with everything he says, at the very least his words will make you consider his (and the great yogis that he "trained" with) suggestions.I urge everyone--yogis and yoginis and non-yoga practioners alike--to purchase this book, read it, re-read it, and save it for future reference.Namaste,As always, thank you Amazon.com (and A9 search) for the wonderful service.

Happy and beautiful!

Full of wisdom! Just loved it! And it is very well written and easy to read! It's a must read!

It talks too much about eating raw food and Ross's philosophy, and is shockingly light on asanas. The pictures you see in the preview are pretty well it. The ideas are explored lack depth, and Ross comparing himself to other yoga teachers as being the "happy" one gets old quickly. Wish I hadn't bought it.

Love it

ヨガに関する本はたくさん買いましたが（日本語も英語も）どれも技術的なことばっかりで似たり寄ったり、この本は本質的なことを書いてあっておすすめです。ヨガっていうのはつまり生き方なんですね。美人じゃなくてもお金持ちじゃなくても、ハッピィに生きられる。そんなことが簡単な英語でわかりやすく書いてあります。著者の人柄がしのばれます。