The No-more-excuses Guide to Yoga

Whether you have been meaning to try yoga for years or you’ve already attended thousands of classes, this is your go-to reference book for all things yoga. Delivered in Kara-Leah’s trademark accessible and conversational tone, reading this book feels like sitting down for a cup of tea with a trusted and knowledgeable friend for personal advice on your yoga journey. Not only does she lay bare all the excuses that may be preventing you from getting to class – your first class, your tenth class or even your thousandth class – but she also provides in-depth instruction on how to choose the best yoga path, style, teacher and studio for your lifestyle and your needs. Once you know which path, style, teacher or studio is right for you at this time, Kara-Leah talks you through the ins and outs of actually going to class – class etiquette, adjustments, keeping yourself safe and the understanding the many strange things that can happen to you on the yoga mat like twitching, grimaces, crying or spontaneous laughter. As well as making it easy to navigate yoga classes, Kara-Leah gives a succinct and easy-to-read overview of yoga history, texts, concepts and philosophy. This is no mean feat given the density of the history of yoga but this book was deliberately designed so you can pick it up, open it to any page and learn something new - whether you’re brand new to yoga or have been teaching for a decade. If you’re a yoga teacher, you may find this the fastest and easiest reference book for theming your class, or revising yoga concepts like the kleshas, the gunas and the eight limbs. You can read a chapter at a time or the entire book at once. There is always valuable information to be devoured or contemplated. Plus every time you come back to it, you’ll discover something new. Every yogi and soon-to-be yogi needs this yoga reference book on their book shelf. “Kara-Leah has a rare ability to write about yoga in a way that is accessible, relevant and entertaining, without oversimplifying or sensationalising her subject. Her passion for yoga, and for setting straight the many myths that surround and obscure the practice, gives vitality to her writing and her ability to cut through our excuses to the real reasons we avoid yoga is enlightening. Her ‘no excuses’ approach to yoga may not work for everyone, but anyone who has toyed – or toiled – with beginning and sustaining a yoga practice will relate to, and find something useful in, this book. I highly recommend it.” ~ Marianne Elliott, author of Zen Under Fire “Curious about yoga, but afraid to try? In The No-More-Excuses Guide to Yoga, Kara-Leah Grant introduces you to the fundamentals, talks you through your doubts, and pushes you to take the most important step of all: unrolling a mat and starting a practice.” ~ Benjamin Lorr, author of Hell-Bent: Obsession, Pain, and the search for something like transcendence in Bikram Yoga