Rating: 
Summary: Real yoga, no drama
Review: Baron has a knack for bringing yoga to the people in a way that seems real and authentic. This book presents a personal improvement program that goes beyond what we think of as "yoga". It's simple, straightfoward, and REAL. Set aside your expectations that a yoga program should involve a lot of esoteric Sanskrit and terminology and Hindu fables. Real yoga is about real life. 40 Days worked for me on every level - spiritually, physically, intellectually, nutritionally. Baron knows what he's doing, and he makes it so simple. Any leader who speaks real truth will have detractors, and Baron is no exception. But beyond the drama is a real authentic message that comes straight from the heart of 40 Days to Personal Revolution.
Rating:
Summary: Real yoga, no drama
Review: Baron has a knack for bringing yoga to the people in a way that seems real and authentic. This book presents a personal improvement program that goes beyond what we think of as "yoga". It's simple, straightfoward, and REAL. Set aside your expectations that a yoga program should involve a lot of esoteric Sanskrit and terminology and Hindu fables. Real yoga is about real life. 40 Days worked for me on every level - spiritually, physically, intellectually, nutritionally. Baron knows what he's doing, and he makes it so simple. Any leader who speaks real truth will have detractors, and Baron is no exception. But beyond the drama is a real authentic message that comes straight from the heart of 40 Days to Personal Revolution.
Rating: 
Summary: History will treat this with reverence
Review: Change is not an easy thing to do. Jesus tried to teach us that when our enemy hits us, we must turn and offer the other cheek. Ghandi taught that civil disobedience was the way. Then came Martin Luther King who taught that we must be vocal if we want change. Then there is Baron Baptiste, who teaches so lyrically once again (see the 5-star Journey into Power) that change comes from within. Think about it. Change comes from within. It sounds wierd because we're used to thinking that changes come from the outside. But Baptiste sees the errors in this thinking and shows us the way. get ready. Jesus, Ghandi, King, Baptiste. The logical progression. Catch the fever!
Rating:
Summary: This really will help you!
Review: I have been practicing yoga at the Baptiste Studios for over 4 years. I used to be a gym hog and since discovering Baptiste, I have all but given up the gym. The book shows a person how to get into the yoga little by little. I think it would be frustrating not to be able to go to an actual studio with Baron and his teachers and this book offers something special to those people especially. It is difficult to explain what this yoga can do for you-it is so multi-faceted. Because I have the luxury of actually going to class, I don't really do the yoga on my own, but I can guarantee you that if you do what Baron says in this book, in terms of the postures, diet, etc, you really will change. And if you ever are in the greater Boston area, definitely check out one of the studios. There is one in Boston and one in Cambridge. Also, just to set the record straight, there were never any crazy happenings at the Cambridge studio as one reader has described. The Cambridge studio is the most peaceful, beautiful place I know. There is no place I feel better or safer. I think I know the class this reader is talking about where someone voluntarily left following a disagreement-it was a little strange, but I recall no handcuffs and no arrests. Maybe I missed something but yeah, I was definitely there on that day. I think that reader was really exaggerating for some reason-strange for a Harvard student to feel the need to do so-tho the commute from NYC to Cambridge must be stressful and daunting!!!! Huh???? The book is a must have for beginning yogis especially. You will be transformed if you make the committment. If not now, when?
Rating: 
Summary: We need a new workout
Review: I read this book twice, and gave up on the 40 day program after a week because I was bored and was applying nothing new. Yes I understand that "state of mind" is directly related to physical performance. But I knew that before. And I know that one must "step out of his/ her comfort zone in order to grow...etc, etc. Didn't Tony Robbins teach us that 15 years ago? The book seems hastily written, and too much like Journey into Power. I don't mean to sound bitter - and correct me if I'm wrong - but there seems to be no love behind the words, and it left me feeling cheated and depressed.
Rating: 
Summary: a good read, but limited applications...
Review: I received this book from Amazon with bated breath. I discovered yoga through Baron Baptiste, and although I have branched out beyond Power Yoga in previous years, his style is still dear to me. Two of my friends--one with no yoga experience and considerably overweight, and one who used to be a professional dancer but has "let herself go" as she got a job in the corporate world--joined me in committing to the "40 days to transformation." We all found his inspirational remarks and philosophy at the beginning of the book well worth the money.
For me, the program began well. The meditation the first week (10 minutes a day) was far below what I commonly practice, and I found his "life questions" rather commercial, but the workout was excellent. The second and third week were much the same. The fourth week, with the addition of inversions (which I have never attempted before) was frustrating. There was little to no preparation for the inverted poses, and I failed again and again. Although I continued into the fifth week, Baron's book never addressed the struggles I had. Also, he did not discuss feminine menstruation and how it affects yoga--a serious oversight. I suspect that expecting a person to do 90 minutes of yoga a day and one hour of daily meditation is simply too much for most people.
My "newbie" friend struggled from day one--we quickly discovered that anything beyond the first week was simply too much for a beginner, and the growth demanded from week to week is nearly impossible. There are no suggestions for modification for heavy people. She quit the program after 2 weeks.
My dancer friend from day one was frustrated with the change of workout--she was so used to being "the best" that she could not stomach her inabilities. She followed Baron's eating advice to the extreme...and got sick. She was unable to meditate according to Baron's suggestions. For her, there simply was not enough instruction in the non-physical aspects of the program.
The final point? I'm not sure who this program is really for. For an experienced yoga practitioner, it is not enough. For a "newbie" or the sedentary it is basically impossible. For those with little spiritual background, there is not enough guidance for the spritual components. If you an advanced beginner in yoga, who has no real health concerns and has been practicing for at least six months, I believe that this program may offer valuable insights.
If you are serious about a lifestyle of yoga, may I recommend--
The Heart of Yoga, by T.K.V. Desikachar
Yoga for your Type, by Dr. David Frawley and Sandra Summerfield
Moving Toward Balance, by Rodney Yee with Nina Zolotow
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME BOOK!!!
Review: I took this book hiking, as a companion. It is easy to understand and perfect for those reaching for somthing more in life. The pictures are beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent !!
Review: I'm in my fourth week following 40 Days To Personal Revolution and I have no intention of "quitting" as some readers have. Those who need to have a pill to pop for weight loss or be TOLD what to eat meal by meal (boring), or need to be hand held through a meditation will not warm to this book. This book requires a person to WORK and put forth effort towards their own growth, to take responsibility for one's self. This book provides the tools. The Yoga in "40 Days" is traditional and not mixed in with all of the other types of so-called exercise that there is today. Yes, and now there is Yogilates! Yikes! If you're not ready for a true and lasting change, of course you'll quit, of course you'll be a cynical critic. You're just not ready to look inside.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent !!
Review: I'm in my fourth week following 40 Days To Personal Revolution and I have no intention of "quitting" as some readers have. Those who need to have a pill to pop for weight loss or be TOLD what to eat meal by meal (boring), or need to be hand held through a meditation will not warm to this book. This book requires a person to WORK and put forth effort towards their own growth, to take responsibility for one's self. This book provides the tools. The Yoga in "40 Days" is traditional and not mixed in with all of the other types of so-called exercise that there is today. Yes, and now there is Yogilates! Yikes! If you're not ready for a true and lasting change, of course you'll quit, of course you'll be a cynical critic. You're just not ready to look inside.
Rating:
Summary: Good concept, nice thoughts, mediocre execution
Review: The concept of having one book that covers spiritual philosphy, detailed yoga sessions, meditation practices and alternative diet theory is a noble goal. It is difficult to execute that goal though, especially in an easy-to-read format like Baptiste tries. This book may be useful for those already with some experience in yoga, and spiritual quests, but may be disjointed for beginers. The first part of the book lays out 12 good spiritual "laws" and is a great mixture of Eastern and Western spiritual guidelines, quoting Jesus, Buddha, Ghandi, and others. This is worthwhile reading, and may touch on a foundation for spirituality that will resonate with many Weterners. Very Intriguing, I wish there was more here. The Yoga Vinyasas are much more difficult to follow, with over 30 pages of writing and photos showing the first 20 minute session alone. Yoga appears to be Baptiste's primary fame to date, and where most of the pages of the book focus. Video may be a better format to get Yoga across. I run one of Rodney Yee's videos (albeit with a different sequence of Vinyasas) and use Baptiste's photos and description to give me details if I don't know a pose. The diet sections are confusing, I saw Baptiste in a lecture and I'm not sure he even understands what is written here ( was there a ghost writer helping?) Still, their focus on balance in a diet, and balance from many viewpoints (including building vs cleansing, cooling vs heating foods)is good. The meditation emphases and "Excavation questions" are good also. Can one have a personal revolution in 40 days with this book? The book is too new to know so stay tuned. From what I see, there needs to be significant supplements as far as reading and instruction for this to be the main catalyst for such a revolution.
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