This is a book that is sure to be inspiring for everyone who thinks that yoga isn't for them because they aren't thin enough or in shape enough. Jessamyn's blend of memoir and introduction to yoga shows that anyone can do yoga, if they have the have a willingness to learn. I know when I first saw Jessamyn's photos on Instagram that I was amazed at her yoga abilities.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the book.

This book is for anyone who looks through Yoga magazine and feels clumsy for trying out the recommended poses because no one can be as skinny as those models. Jessamyn intermingles her story of discovering yoga and learning to love herself with yoga poses, with real people photographed in the positions. Great read, and great yoga primer!

Jessamyn is an inspiration to everyone who doesn't look like the typical yogi. Yoga is for everyone but in most studios you find the same smaller framed women and not many women of color. Jessamyn shows that you don't have to be skinny or white to find your peace on the mat. Yoga is about YOUR experience not what everyone else in the room is doing but it can be intimidating.

I love Jessamyn's easy to read prose and her down to earth style of writing. Her stories of growing up made the book easy to relate to and her yogic history was at a level that even the most novice person can understand. I loved that she used models of all different sizes to illustrate different asanas, it really made the book accessible and proves that these postures are obtainable by anybody!

As a yogi with injuries and a Kundalini yoga teacher I applaud Jessamyn's book and hope that her story will inspire more people who may not fit the stereotypical yogic mold. Anyone can get on the mat and get something from their practice.

I really enjoyed this. It was easy for me to follow and I especially liked that it wasn't a bunch of super skinny women doing yoga.

My favourite lines from the introduction are "I wrote this book for every fat person, every old person, and every
exceptionally short person. I wrote it for every person who has called themselves ugly and every person who can’t accept their beauty. I wrote it for every person who is self-conscious about their body".

Every Body Yoga is, as it promoted, a Yoga 101. It covers 'Questions asked by (literally) every beginner yoga student', kicking it off with questions about motivation. It uses no-nonsense language (with a smattering of down-to-earth and audience-appropriate swearing). It discusses the clothes, mats and props you will need.

Parts 1 and 2 are information dense. I didn't really expect that. Part 3 contains Jessamyn's ABCs of ASANA - and here is when the pose images start (page 64). Each image is accompanied by an explanation of its key elements. Poses take up approximately 60 pages in Part 3, before restarting partway through Part 4 and continuing intermittently.

Jessamyn is very down to earth and honest about her story and what led her to yoga. If you're looking for a way to get 'into' yoga or hoping to be inspired to start yoga...give this book a go.

I heard about Jessamyn long before I heard that she was writing a book, and I knew that I had to get my hands on it. There is no denying that Jessamyn doesn't fit your typical yogi mold (long and lean) because as she described herself, she is fat. But because of that, Jessamyn was able to write a really amazing yoga book.

I'll admit to the fact that this is definitely a text-heavy book. Jessamyn dives deep into her personal history to explain how she found yoga, to eventually becoming an instructor. Jessamyn has managed to create a book that is both instructional and inspirational, and most importantly, for the average person. I especially loved how she highlighted various flows and poses for every fitness level, and how she showcases various body types throughout.

I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a real, raw and inspiring story, with a hint of yoga. I'll definitely be picking up a copy of this when it hits bookstores.

I am so thankful I was chosen to review this book. She is a positive role model for all women. I have been wanting to do yoga for a long time, but afraid to go to a studio. I have since found out that I need to have both hips replaced and I can't wait until I am healed to try some of the poses that Jessamyn shows. Thank you so much Jessamyn for being an inspiration and giving me the opportunity to try yoga.

I thought I may not want to continue reading this book in the very beginning. Jessamyn started out talking out her first yoga class and how miserable it was. I was not feeling it. Fortunately, I knew that this book would not continue to discuss how much she did not like yoga and so I continued.

The first half of the book was mostly about yoga and gave a lot of background information on yoga. I was expecting more about Jessamyn. This was remedied in the second half of the book, where Jessamyn started talking about her life as a young girl and woman. This half of the book was much more memoir style than the first part of the book, but still incorporated yoga, and was more of what I had expected going into it. I enjoyed her stories and her “lessons learned” at the end of each one. I also enjoyed the yoga poses added after each chapter that she associated with the story. It was a great format.

The eight limbs explanation, descriptions of different types of yoga, and ABC’s of Asana were all interesting and helpful.

There was a lot of swearing in this book. I don’t have an issue with this. At first I thought it was nice to read something where she felt free to be herself and let the cuss words fly, but after a while I felt she was throwing them in unnecessarily. It didn’t feel natural. If felt as if she was adding more emphasis where it wasn’t needed and didn’t come across as genuine. Maybe she was just nervous writing the book? Whatever the reason, this feeling cleared up for me in the second half of the book. There was still some swearing, but it felt like she was just being herself.

There were a lot of great poses in the middle in the middle of the book with explanations on how to do them. Additional tips and even examples of supported poses were given. This part I wish I had a physical copy of the book just for this reason. It was a great section, particularly for anyone just starting their practice or wanting to start practicing at home on their own, which Jessamyn is a big proponent of. I think I may have to start an at-home practice myself.

Recommended for anyone wanting to learn more about yoga and interested in reading personal stories related to yoga.

This book was amazing! I loved the voice the book was written in - raw, real and funny. Easy to read along with.
As a fat person I adore how asanas are given modifications un-begrudgingly - making it extremely accessible for a person with a bigger body to get into a practice that can benefit them on a wide range of levels - not just as a weight-loss pitch.




*Thanks to Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for a review.

This is a great book for folks who are new to yoga. Stanley does a good job of giving a basic outline of the 8 fold path, but didn't fill in the gaps. There are some suggested sequences for home practice, rooted in the vinyasa tradition (flowing from one pose to another). A great book of encouragement for folks who vary from the young, female, flexible and thin image of yoga practitioners. But, for those who have been practicing for even a short while, the information is a bit basic. I enjoyed Stanley's candid sharing of her yoga and life path.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!

I enjoyed this book, but When I tried some of these poses they actually hurt me lol. But I did enjoy this book.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for the opportunity to read and review Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear. Get On the Mat. Love Your Body. by Jessamyn Stanley! The author's humor makes this instructional and informational book interesting to read. Includes the author's story and background, history of yoga, the eight-limbed path (restraint, discipline, poses, breath work, external detachment, concentration, meditation and total absorption), yoga styles, supplies needed, correct placement, posture mixing, breathing techniques and illustrations with detailed instructions. A helpful, encouraging book worth 5 stars!

Absolutely lovely in intent and execution - Ms. Stanley serves as a hilarious, honest, and engaging guide into the practice of yoga. As I person with a herniated disc that limits my movement and provides a low level amount of daily discomfort, I especially appreciated the time and care she gives to yoga for the differently-abled, with detailed modifications and assistance tips (mainly bricks and towels). She really tackles the fears about our bodies (how they look while practicing yoga particularly) in a body-positive but not sugary way. Finally, the illustrations and pose-guides and clear and easy-to-follow. Would purchase for anyone with an interest in starting to practice!

Overall a good book for information. I was expecting more of a visual yoga guide so I had difficulty getting through this book.

I love the idea behind this book, and the fact that it provides information regarding your body and how exercise work together.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley.**

The book interested me because I have not been able to complete even one yoga class. I found the writing style easy to understand and encouraging. I only had some difficulty with the use of terms that were not related to yoga, and seemed to be about political correctness. Cultural appropriation could be claimed for the use of yoga by anyone other than the original practitioners. I felt the author was critical and I was defensive as I continued to read. As a result, I became more skeptical and would not be able to recommend the book as highly as I would have otherwise.