Veggie Blog

This is a book of funny and poignant autobiographic stories, as a yoga practitioner and teacher as well as a human being. The yoga stories include rooming with the world’s creepiest human at a yoga retreat, taking a session with the Yoga Nazi, adopting a dog under false pretenses, and battling the elements in Central American jungles. Other stories include making an ill-fated werewolf movie at age 11, dealing with a mob super in New York, and attending a horrifying toxic cookout in Massachusetts.

What is this book about?

The description calls it a book of funny and poignant autobiographical stories, written from the point of view of a yoga practitioner and teacher.

What topics does it cover?

The yoga stories include rooming with the world’s creepiest human at a yoga retreat, taking a session with the “Yoga Nazi”, adopting a dog under false pretenses and battling the elements in Central American jungles. Other stories involve an ill-fated werewolf movie at age 11, dealing with a mob super in New York and a horrifying cookout in Massachusetts.

Who wrote it?

The author named in the title is Rob Dinsmoor. The description does not call it a yoga manual, and it lists no poses or exercises.

This summary is based on the book description on the Amazon page.

What should I expect at a yoga retreat?

Retreats pack in more yoga and meditation than a weekly class, so prepare. A typical day mixes morning and evening practice with meals, rest and free time. Because it is a lot of exercise for someone who normally sits, ease in rather than doing everything: skip a session if your body is tired.

Injuries are the main hazard, and the NCCIH page on yoga says sprains and strains are the usual ones. Ask the organisers about the teachers’ training and class sizes, tell them about injuries and dietary needs, and drink enough water, especially in hot climates.

If you have a medical condition, take medicines or are pregnant, check with your doctor before booking.

More on this blog: A Short History of Yoga: From Ancient Texts to Hatha Classes and a Record Number of Americans and What Is Yoga?

Book: The Yoga Divas by Rob Dinsmoor
View this book on Amazon (affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you)