I've been searching for this book for YEARS. So much of western yoga culture is toxic-positivity avoidant bullshit, and Heyman calls it out and calls us to action. The only way out is through, the only way through is to face things head on, to stand up and speak out and step back when we need to and look around us and realize what is and what is not and where we are and where we are not and just be real.

I was excited to read a book connecting social justice and yoga, if nervous about the white male author. I’ve had an interest in yoga for about 15 years, doing solo asana and pranayama practice off and on to avoid supporting white studio owners, but didn’t know how to reconcile the importance of all eight limbs with a risk of appropriating Hindu practices. I now see my ego and fear coming from a self-hating (not very yogic!) place, but with this book I discovered that my spiritual practice is already aligned with yoga teachings! I guess I found my way back to yoga without touching a mat.

Heyman uses many translations to explore Patanjali’s yoga sutras, as well as Bhagavad Gita passages. Any interpretation comes with a lens, and as a non-Hindu I can’t speak to the appropriateness of including sacred texts in this way. But I found Heyman’s approach (encouraging personal study) respectful, and appreciated the range of (mostly non-white) voices in sidebar stories.

The book contextualizes Patanjali’s eight limbs, among other concepts, for a modern audience. While acknowledging their origins, Heyman presents the teachings as universal. As I read about the sutras I couldn’t help but notice resonance with other non-Christian, non-capitalist traditions, and adaptation to local context reminded me of my tarot and astrology practice.

I was struck by how Heyman describes meditation as a flow state, unpacking Global North understandings of mindfulness and enlightenment. He mirrors other books on focus, but without a “do X or you will fail” lens. Self-reflection, harm-reduction, dedication to service, and emotional regulation are all themes.

Part II connects to social justice and includes discussion of brave space, asana-centered level segregation, universal design, and emotion. Racism, fatphobia, ableism, and ageism all come up. I finished the book with a new understanding of how my secret shame was rooted in ego, but also of how I’m already practicing a kind of yoga in community! Recommended.

[Note: Amazon review pending.]

This book is well written and the author's voice is engaging, straightforward, and positive. They include information from other yoga practitioners of the same style in a way that works well. This return to the roots of yoga (instead of the commercialized, high-powered fitness-focused version in the US today) as well as the philosophy of making yoga accessible to everyone regardless of class, finances, or physical abilities, makes this a title I want for our library system.

Yoga for me is like music -- I enjoy participating it in it rather than reading about it. But I liked this overall and learned a few things along the way. Recommended to those that have not done a deep dive into the origins and philosophies of yoga.

I really appreciate the free review copy!!