Embodied Wisdom: What Our Anatomy Can Teach Us About the Art of Living

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Summary: The Mind-Body connection and why it`s important for you
Review: Everyone interested in how body and mind work together to create our consciousness, our emotions, our habits and the person we see every morning in the mirror should study this book. The author has done an incredible job of showing the connections between, for example postures, habits and mental states. All the findings mentioned in the book are backed up by scientific evidence and enough references to make even the most skeptic person happy.
In addition, every chapter provides enough practical advice to change small and big things in the way we spend our days and even our lives.
To be able to change something we first have to know how change occurs and what lies in the way of change. This book helps us to do just that. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Embodied Wisdom by Joy Colangelo
Review: It is impossible to put this book down. Each page contains so many ideas that address so many levels, that by the end the reader will feel they have developed spherical vision. You will explore so many paths you have probably never considered that you will end up feeling your IQ has elevated several notches just reading along.

The book is written from a yoga practitioner/occupational therapist/Buddhist/nature lover perspective, inextricably combined. It more than discusses the bodymind, it explains how to nurture a relationship with it that will obviate external derailments from the goal: to be a full human, fully being. The writing manages to be passionate, compassionate and dispassionate at the same time. It is charged with hope.

Something that deserves to be mentioned is that the author has a degree in Greek studies. This gives her a vista into the human body most of us don't possess, but that she shares freely.

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Summary: Finally - a book that puts it all together, comprehensibly!
Review: This the first time I've seen a comprehensible explanation of WHY and HOW mind and body and environment affect one another. The book includes practical, DO-able steps you can take to change your life for the better -- not just managing mental and physical pain. Explains how what you eat, how you move, whether you take time for long walks, what makes you happy, all affect the quality of your life. For example, a stubborn problem with your knees might persist because mentally, you're having trouble 'walking away' from a difficult situation, or conversely, that you cope with problems by running away from them - and that your body is trying to get you to stop running and start dealing...The anatomical reasons behind the knee pain and physiological and psychological basis are there as well (the author is a practicing occupational therapist - she knows her stuff!). But maybe you don't need surgery - maybe a different boss, or a weekly yoga stretch will help alleviate the situation.

The book integrates Eastern and Western practices in a unique way. Lots of great anecdotes and references and really interesting examples. The science and research are all there, but put together in easily accessible language. Highly reccomend to everyone.