Guest Author - Jen Blackert

I love reading yoga books, from spiritual to light-hearted yoga stories. I especially love reading yoga books that relate to life and transformation. That’s right, books that share how yoga transforms the mind, body and spirit. I recently read a fun, inspirational book called, Where Are My Ankles? The book is one woman’s story/journey on how yoga transformed her life.
I know for me, I started yoga to feel more fit, tone and the truth is… it was easier than aerobics – at least the classes I took at the time. I don’t know if it is just me, but it seems like all new yoga practitioners first notice the physical changes. These changes include reduced stress, better posture, more energy and even weight loss. Then in a few short months these physical changes start turn into psychological changes.

Author Deborah Rummelhart of the book, “Where are my ankles? How Iyengar Yoga Rescued Me From Stress, Fear and a Very Bad Back” takes you on a fun and funny journey about overcoming physical limitations as well as many emotional behaviors including laziness, fear, anger and frustration.

I really enjoyed all the bits and pieces of this book. It brought back awareness of how I can use yoga on the mat as a micro test area for real life. Geesh, the truth is when we get easily frustrated in on the mat, we probably are easily frustrated in real life. By observing yourself on the mat, you can begin to change how you handle your life.

For me, the most powerful and profound part of the book shares how her yoga practice caused her to crave prayer. I have to admit this is true for me as well. Why would this physical practice cause us to crave prayer? I now know that it is true more than ever… when we practice yoga we are praying with our bodies. It doesn’t get much better than that!

It has always been difficult for me to express how yoga retrains some very bothersome behaviors and habits.

If you are new to yoga or you are just using yoga for exercise, I invite you to check out this remarkable book. Buy it on Amazon.