Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This book was a DNF (did not finish) for me. For no particular reason except that I'm a mood reader and it wasn't capturing my attention when I picked it up.

A beautiful look into Jessamyn Stanley's life, faith and journey as a yogi. She's so inspiring! Interspersed with beautiful illustrations and inspirational quotes about yoga and mindfulness, Stanley chronicles her own life while also helping the reader dig deeper into their own yoga journey.

I just adore Jessamyn and her body positivity. She helped inspire me to take up yoga. Thanks for the review copy.

Yoke, by Jessamyn Stanley is funny, candid, and sometimes deeply serious. Stanley focuses on the meaning of yoga in her life and belief system. She also addresses broader cultural issues: where is the line between cultural appreciation and appropriation? What would it really mean to address race in our culture, and within the culture of yoga specifically? She also draws heavily on writings about yoga, the kind of works that most casual practioners won't run into. And it all feels like a conversation with a particularly witty and articulate friend. Not every idea resonated with me, but I do recommend this book if you like your inspirational texts with a little extra snark.

I received a copy of this work from the publisher for an honest review.

I've followed the author Jessamyn Stanley on social media for years. As a Black woman who has had a consistent yoga practice for decades, Yoke is the perfect call for Black girls who've considered yoga when everything else wasn't enough. Stanley's voice on the yoga industry's standard that excludes women of color (and size) is highly needed and appreciated. Looking forward to more works by Stanley.

I absolutely devoured Jessamyn Stanley's second book, Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance. Stanley's literary voice is brutally honest, inspiring, and not to mention hilarious. This voice of reason uses Yoke to explore a personal relationship with yoga and mull over the practice's pitfalls. This is done over a series of essays and opinion-based articles.

Please bear in mind that Yoke isn't a yoga how-to guide. Instead, Yoke acts as a refreshing exploration of what yoga means and what yoga can really do.

I thought this was a wonderful memoir and I think the lesson of this book is to really think about your everyday life and get it to flow through the steps even if it's hard, just like Yoga.

I will recommend this title for purchase for our collection. Our library is always looking for titles from authors from historically under represented communities. We are actively seeking out books that will make our collections truly reflective of our diverse student population.

I had a hard time with this one. The whole of the book felt disjointed and way too rambling ... the chapters and even within the chapters, things didn't flow very well for me. I've seen some other reviews that bring up her profanity - I don't care if it's used, but I will say in this case, it felt unnecessary and maybe forced.

I like what Stanley stands for and isn't sorry about who she is, that's great! There are some good parts, but at the same time, much of what was written/ talked about felt repetitive towards the end of the book. I honestly think that she should have just written an opinion piece on the issues she sees and experiences within American yoga. IDK - I also think I'm in the minority in terms of intended audience.

Didn't love it, didn't hate it.

This is a book of one person’s journey in finding her inner true self, and how to overcome the outside world’s expectations. In dealing with this truth she finds ways to become happier and healthier. One wants to cheer on Jessamyn Stanley on her journey, and one does, but the language and some topics makes one pause. I found this a mixed book, ultimately. While I’m not offended by cursing, it does make one wonder why the author finds it necessary to use it so frequently, other words may work better. Also, the information on astrology I find difficult to whole-heartily recommend to other people.

I will read anything Jessymn Stanley writes. As a plus-sized woman myself, she has helped make yoga accessible for me. This book is more of a memoir and about her own journey. It is raw, vulnerable, moving, beautiful. So grateful.

Jessamyn Stanley recounts her complicated history with yoga as a Fat, Queer, Black Girl in the lily white world of the yoga industrial complex in the United States. She reflects on her ongoing practice of yoga. Filled with short chapters recounting stories from her life, she lays out the history and philosophy of yoga. She does not flinch from talking about race, privilege, or appropriation.

This is a book about why she does yoga.

I savored this book. I ended up reading a chapter every few days, letting the words and ideas swim in my body. I want to love myself like Jessmyn loves herself. I loved her practical, non-judgmental, inclusive approach to doing yoga.

I am going to purchase a physical copy of this book, event though I read it as a eARC.

I enjoyed Jessamyn Stanley’s memoir about her yoga practice. While this does get somewhat into yoga philosophy, it mostly sticks to the realm of memoir. I would have preferred a deeper dive into her thoughts about yoga principles (perhaps because that’s what I was expecting). But, some great nuggets of wisdom here and I always connect with her voice and stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for this free digital copy in exchange for an honest review. :)

For quite a while, I practiced yoga daily/almost daily. Once upon a time, I was even a yoga teacher for a brief moment. When I moved away from Portland, it was one of those pieces of my life that I let slip away from me. I have been thinking about returning to my practice for a while now, and Jessamyn Stanley's book, Yoke, was the perfect catalyst. She writes with such warmth and humor and I loved that in this book she focuses not so much on the postures, but what it is to live your yoga everyday. She speaks to her own practice and experience as a queer, plus-sized woman of color and emphasizes that yoga can and will look different for each person.

Jessamyn makes so many excellent points about the Whiteness of American yoga and how so many in that "culture" seemingly have no desire to discuss the roles they have played in appropriation and the lack of diversity seen in many classes. This is something I'm not a stranger to. When I was young and stupid and in the midst of my love for the practice, I got the "om" symbol tattooed on my back. I mean, wtf, right? I'm currently working on a design to cover it up, but it's stuff like this that Jessamyn speaks to in this book.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who is or has ever been a yoga practitioner. It was interesting, entertaining, and insightful. I'm planning on ordering her first book, Every Body Yoga, as I make my way back to my yoga practice.

This is a very real exploration of the yoga world, white supremacy as it is hidden all over and implicit bias. The text is super validating and affirming and while it focuses heavily on the yoga world has broader application and appeal for those who are not deeply embedded in the yoga world.

I sighed ‘ooof’ aloud in public upon finishing this book bc it’s so good. in barely 200pg, you can expect the following: candid discussions of fatness & fatphobia; candid discussions of anxiety & using weed to combat it; sharp cultural analysis of yoga & race; authentic reflections on yoga & spirituality w/ careful attention to cultural appropriation; representation from queer BIPOC perspective; #metoo chapter on sexual assault; humble life advice; and so much more. two of my favorite quotations are from the last few pages. on teaching: “you’ll never know who’ll teach you. best teachers don’t even think they’re teachers… the most important teachers are the ones who lead you to the teacher inside of you." And on the last page: “I’m enough. exactly as I am right now. I don’t need to know more or do more of be different at all… I never need to be intimidated by anyone bc everyone has something to teach me.” last point: although many books by influencers tend to disappoint me, Jessamyn Stanley is truly a beautiful writer & great author! thank you so much Netgalley for the digital copy and Tandem Global Collective for the print copy- I alternated between them & very much enjoyed.

I wasn't sure quite what to expect when I started reading Yoke, but I was quickly pulled in to the collection of short essays and did not want to put the book down. Stanley's writing is eminently readable and at times feels like you're just sitting and listening to a friend wax philosophical over some drinks. The topics covered range from yoga (obviously) to white supremacy, astrology, and weed. Perhaps not a surprising assortment of topics for those who already follow Stanley on social media, but still enjoyable. I would recommend this for those with some sort of yoga practice (even if that's just taking the occasional class) who are interested in thinking about some of the ways yoga can tie into other parts of their life.

I follow Jessamyn on social media and enjoy her content, but I didn't love this book of essays. I think one of the reasons the book wasn't for me is because don't practice yoga regularly. I am fat and appreciated the body positive content and representation, and of course I could see why others would like it and relate to it.

If you'd asked me, I would have said I loved Jessamyn Stanley just because I loved "Every Body Yoga" and I'm a big girl who does yoga and I appreciate other big girls who do yoga and I appreciate anyone who makes me feel good about being a big girl who does yoga. But I really didn't know Jessamyn Stanley as an author from that book. Holy cow, Jessamyn Stanley is such an excellent writer! "Yoke" is an engaging read and I felt so *positive* reading it and, seriously, whoever feel positive these days? I legit think this book is good for your mental health. I hated having to rush through this book to get the review done. I probably wasn't two pages into this book before I had a list of folks I needed to recommend it to. It's out now so go get it!