Showing posts with label best at home workouts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best at home workouts. Show all posts

Rise Of Fashion: A Reader

Rise Of Fashion: A ReaderCompiled and edited by Daniel Leonhard Purdy, college-level students of fashion design history will welcome The Rise Of Fashion: A Reader, a compendium of key writings on fashion trends from the Enlightenment to modern times, translating many works previously available only in other languages, providing important critiques of fashion among different classes, and survey both social and political issues in the framework of fashion art developments. An important compilation for any college-level fashion department, The Rise Of Fashion will also hold immense interest for professional fashion designers and non-specialist general readers with an interest in fashion history.

Save 27% Off

Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope.

Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope.In this joint memoir, mother Angela Yuan and son Christopher Yuan alternate chapters in describing Chris' prodigal son experiences, in parallel with Angela's experiences as a mother moving from suicidal depression to Christian community, along with hope and prayer for her still-troubled son. Their voices trade off as describe Chris' early successes in grad school, his growing identification with the gay community and embrace of a partying lifestyle, and his movement into success as a drug dealer. His crash when busted and jailed, along with his mothers' prayers and involvement, leads to his conversion to Christianity and eventual role as a prison minister. Now, it seems, he and his mother speak at Christian events about his transformation, a role which I assume has produced this book.

I got this review copy for free from WaterBrook Multnomah (full disclosure!), and was initially quite skeptical and concerned with how the book would portray homosexuality. Because the book is written within the conservative Christian social field, it probably will not be appreciated by liberal or secular readers. But for its intended audience, it strikes the right note. Addressing this social issue with both grace and truth has been a difficult issue for the American church, and it would be easy to turn this story into a polemic about sexual identity and the church.

But the Yuans, in general, refrain. While their story clearly fits within the cultural genre of "Christian testimony" (with overtones of Augustine's confessions as well as an identification with the specific trope of the prodigal son, moving from pride to fall to faith to restoration), it is well-handled, emotive, and lovely -a good example of the genre. In his chapter on Holy Sexuality (182-189), Chris is frank about his long-standing desires and rejects movements which focus on trying to change a person's sexual orientation:

"But now, as I searched the Scriptures for the way I should live, I began to ask myself a different question: Who am I apart from my sexuality? ... I had always thought that the opposite of homosexuality was heterosexuality. But actually the opposite of homosexuality is holiness. God never said, 'Be heterosexual, for I am heterosexual.' He said, 'Be holy, for I am holy.' ...Holy sexuality is not focused on becoming straight -orientation change -but on obedience." (p.187)

Chris recommends that Christian sexuality remain within cross-gender marriage or celibacy, the most predominant framework within the Christian faith. In acknowledging his inborn nature but reframing the discussion from sexual identity to Christian identity, Chris moves away from sexual identity as a central social marker for the Christian and towards the question of what it means to be a Christian. This seems to be one appropriate stance within the Christian context -I would love to hear others address Chris in dialogue about this. I know that Jenell Williams Paris has recently written a related book, The End of Sexual Identity, and hope to review her book soon!

In the 1990s, Christopher Yuan was a gay man who worked hard and played harder. After an experience with the drug Ecstasy, Yuan quickly became one of the top drug dealers in the major gay clubs of the Southeast, living the glamorous lifestyle marked by cars, clothes and the adoration of his new family in the homosexual community. As spectacular as the story of his life in the 90s is, it is not the subject of this book.

Yuan's world eventually came crashing down. Arrested for conspiracy and intent to distribute illegal drugs and later sentenced to six years in prison, Yuan was abandoned by all but a very few of his supposed "friends". To add insult to injury, Yuan learned, while wearing the tell-tale orange jumpsuit of the Atlanta Detention Center, that he was HIV positive, likely the result of one of his sexual encounters of the previous several years. As dramatic as the story of his Yuan's fall is, it is not the subject of this book.

In recent years, Yuan, now a Christian speaker and HIV/AIDS activist, has garnered a fair amount of notoriety for his frequent speaking engagements in which he talks about HIV and issues surrounding sexuality and Christianity. For this he has been both praised and roundly (and often angrily) criticized. Though one of this book's thirty two chapters is entitled "Holy Sexuality", neither HIV nor questions of Christian faith and sexuality are the subjects of this book.

What is Out of a Far Country about? It is a modern-day prodigal son story, about a son who rebels against his parents and effectively abandons his natural family in favor of living life on his own terms. It is about an awkward boy whose struggle to fit it and to make sense of his attractions led him on a journey into manhood defined by rises, falls and, ultimately, redemption. It's about a God who says to us "I created you in my image and, for that reason and that reason alone, I love you. Period." It's a story that demonstrates that God's ways are not our ways and that God uses whomever He wills, however He wills and does so perfectly. Yuan's journey from outcast kid to drug dealer to HIV statistic to Christ follower is, at bottom, simply a story of God's unconditional love for even "the least" of us.

More than that, Out of a Far Country, is about a mother's struggle. In alternating chapters running roughly chronologically with Christopher's story, his mother, Angela, tells her own story of redemption through the trials of a rebellious son, a lifeless marriage, and lifelong scars that haunted her inmost being. From her childhood in Shanghai and Taiwan to her life in the United States with husband, Leon, Angela describes for us her journey from atheist to Christian, from staunch anti-religionist to powerful prayer warrior, from suicidal mother to child of God. Hers is a story not only of redemption but also of the power of a praying parent who asks God not to bail her son out of whatever situation he might be in, not to allow him to remain in a school threatening to expel him, not to spare him from prison, but to do "whatever it takes" to bring her son to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. It was a bold prayer. It was an instructive prayer. It was an effective prayer.

At bottom, Out of a Far Country is a story of hope. No matter how far from God we may think we are, God pursues us in the most unlikely ways and in the most unlikely places, in a swank Atlanta apartment, in a prison bunk--even in a trashcan. Read the book. You'll understand.

Buy Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope. Now

On January 16 I attended a Chicago area seminar titled: "A Conference on Faith and Sexuality." The topic was same-sex relationships and the church. The host church invited four speakers to give biblical and theological presentations. The speakers clearly held widely different perspectives. The last of the four speakers was Christopher Yuan. Since I did not know Chris at the time I as not prepared to be moved to my depths by his story of a life of homosexual practice and drug dealing followed by a powerful conversion to Jesus Christ. After three years in prison, an HIV-positive blood test result, and an obvious transformation in Christ, Chris entered his new Christian lifestyle, a lifestyle that has been tested and proven for some years now. Our of a Far Country is a unique book in so many ways but one of the most unique aspects is that it is the story as told by both Chris and his mother, Angela. This means parents will be especially grateful for insights they can gain on how to respond to a prodigal child.

Christopher Yuan is one of two sons of Chinese immigrants. His father, as my father was in his professional career, is a dentist. Angela assisted Dr. Yuan in his dental practice. Chris' dad had a nominal Catholic background but Angela was an atheist. Chris was thus raised in a context without the church or any real expressions of faith around him. At an early age Chris discovered that he had an attraction to other boys. He tried dating girls but still felt strongly attracted to guys. His mother was, in her own testimony a "controlling mom." The more she tried to control her own life, and that of her son Chris, the worse things got in the Yuan family. Then Chris returned to Chicago from dental school in Louisville, Kentucky, and "came out of the closet" about his sexuality. Prepared by his homosexual friends for total rejection this is exactly what he got thus he stormed away from his family looking for love, acceptance and a new family identity in the gay community. Angela's life then spiraled out of control even more then ever once she began to deal with her feelings about her unresponsive husband and her gay son. She determined to take her own life in despair. In his mercy God intervened and Angela became a devout follower of Jesus as Lord. She had a lot of things that needed changing. She began to absorb the Scriptures and grow in God's grace. Her marriage was turned around, hope became her spiritual strength and Chris became the focus of her regular prayer and fasting times. She learned to accept Chris and love him without conditions.

Hearing this story from the perspective of a heart-broken mother, and a rebellious son who finally came home to Christ, makes it one of the most unique accounts of a prodigal's conversion that I've read in modern narrative memoir. I would not hesitate to give this book to parents or even to older (young adolescent) children. Some may question the wisdom of older children, say 12 or 13, reading a book like this but this is a book that explains how sexuality identity can destroy lives. And it explains how God's grace puts them back together again. It is not so much a book about homosexuality, as such, but a testimony that homosexual advocates should be encouraged to read since the story truly rises above the various debates and takes the reader into two human hearts longing for God and his glory above the clamor of modern disagreement.

Does Chris have a view about homosexual identity? Yes, and it seems that he accepts the fact that he has homosexual desires regardless of how this happened. (He doesn't address the debates about how a person becomes homosexual, simply saying he was drawn to boys and men.)

Does Chris have a view about homosexual practice? Yes, he does. He shares it in only a few pages without the typical polemical rhetoric. He tells of searching the Bible soon after his conversion asking "How should I now live?" He began with the feeling that it would be pleasing to God for him to remain a practicing homosexual and a follower of Christ. He ends, without telling you all the turns in the road, saying he came to believe that he was called to a higher standard of sexual purity thus he should stop practicing same-sex intercourse. This has led him to become a celibate in the years that followed his conversion. He says nothing about desiring marriage, about changing his sexual identity per se, etc. What makes his story so compelling to me is that he never engages in attacks on other views and people but very simply allows his story to stand for what it is, the story of a remarkably changed man. The reader can judge what they will about Chris and his life but you can be sure of this he is a man who knows who he is in Christ and is clearly following holiness as he understands it in Scripture. Honestly, this makes the book unique since it is a story, not a biblical defense or apologetic in the normal sense of these terms.

Chris and Angela cast an extremely compelling vision of God's love, God's grace and God's holiness. Their book really speaks to prodigals of all kinds and to the parents of prodigals. And yes, it speaks to those who want to minister to the gay community in a way that is not based on rancorous polemical stereotypes and arguments.

After attending Moody Bible Institute Chris did an M.A. in biblical exegesis at Wheaton College Graduate School, as a Charles Colson Scholar. (This is a program designed for ex-convicts). He is currently pursuing a doctor of ministry at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul (MN) and is teaching at Moody Bible Institute. He also travels with his mom speaking to churches, conferences and youth groups about God's desire for all prodigals to come home to him.

I recently had lunch with Chris and can tell you that he is the real person this story presents him to be. I love him as a brother and friend and hope you will read his story and pray for both Chris and Angela. You can follow Chris on his blog. You can see his amazing story, from Saddleback Church, on YouTube.

Read Best Reviews of Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope. Here

What resonated with me most was Christopher's discussion of identity. I think for those of us who have transgressed the body with sexual sin, identity in Christ is such a huge concept to accept, and it takes time to accept. I Corinthians 6:12-20 addresses this. The last stumbling block perhaps to accepting grace in full. Once understood and accepted, though, what a freedom, what a privilege to identify with Christ. He is our identity, not the earthly identities we either grew up inherently believing in or were abused into believing through mockery or similar (and here I'm speaking of sexuality). This part of the book is very profound and timely for the sexual culture prevalent today (though it's always been around hence the eternal relevance of the scriptures!).

Second, Angela's testimony convicted me. I'm a mother now and I struggle with praying for my kids. She set an example! The prayer closet, the fasting, and memorizing of scripture. She inspired me to get on my knees for them, even though they are so young still. It is an issue of obedience and also of reverence to lift up the gifts God has given us to him in prayer.

Last, I think that the transparency of the book, the frankness and openness will entice readers. There's no Christianeze or gloss. It's hard to read sometimes, but the details do not glorify the sin but rather the redemption story.

I praise God for this testimony!

Want Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope. Discount?

A mother and son both struggling with their lives, and losing. He has come out as a homosexual and rejected his family to pursue something new. She has lost her son to something she doesn't understand, while living a cold, dying marriage. Over time, they realize God's presence in their lives, but not after a rough and rocky journey.

This book markets itself as a story of a son who is gay and leaves to live a prodigal son's life, while the distraught mother turns to the only thing left in her life, God, to find a way to bring him home. The preview focuses heavily on his homosexuality and how difficult and unknown a lifestyle that is to come out of. But to be honest, they didn't really discuss his homosexuality very much. It was in the beginning, and he resolved it in the end but the majority of the book is about his drug addiction and the troubles that came with this.

Its not a bad book, a little dry to read at times because they are not writers, they are people telling their story. But the end is very encouraging, and his idea of 'holy sexuality' is something I've never heard of before, but very biblical.

All in all, I would recommend this book, but not as a guide on a Christian's response to homosexuality. Its a redemption story, pure and simple.

Save 13% Off

Housework Blues: A Survival Guide- How to Cope with the Mental and Emotional Challenge of Keeping a

Housework Blues: A Survival Guide- How to Cope with the Mental and Emotional Challenge of Keeping a HomeI'm generally not a self-help book type of person but Housework Blues: A Survival Guide really intrigued me. I may not hate housework, but I do suffer from the housework blues from time to time.

Do you ever stop yourself, as you crouch down to pick up yet another sock/toy/crayon off the floor and think "I haven't made this mess, why am I cleaning it up?". Or have you ever faced that huge pile of laundry/dishes in the sink and thought, "I'm too tired and unmotivated to do anything about this"? Do you ever think, "this is a waste of my brain and talents"? If you answered yes to any of these, you would do well to read this book.

There are things in this book that I already embrace (picking battles, for one) but there was still plenty of inspiration, simple suggestions and other good, no-nonsense advice that make this book worth reading and re-reading. This isn't a housework manual. You won't find many cleaning tips but you will find what you need to cope with the repetition, the injustice, the futility and all the other mental and physical challenges of housework.

My laundry, by the way: washed and folded. My house: neat and tidy. The book: read cover to cover. Me? Relaxed, refreshed and ready for more housework. How did I do it? The secret's in the book.

A few of my close friends and family have often called me OCD. I can't help it, I just LOVE coming home to a clean house! But as the years have passed, I am no longer living alone in a pristine apartment with my one basset hound and pudgey kitty; I have since acquired a husband, two additional "fur kids" a full bred boxer and pit/boxer mix, two snakes (unfortunately my kitty lost her battle to cancer) and currently helping a good friend out by letting him live with us until he can get back on his feet (children are further down the list of life but this book will be my bible then as well!). So keeping a clean house these days has become a bit of a challenge, to say the least . Especially, while I am in the pursuit of a more than full time career; the last thing I want to do after working a twelve hour day is walk into the house and see empty cans of soda on the coffee table, a sink full of dishes and what appears to be a nice layer of "carpet" upon the floor our all tile house (three dogs tend to shed A LOT!). Oh, the frustrations, the resentment and the thoughts of smothering my spouse with a pillow in the middle of the night! Kidding!...mostly. ;-) Soon the thought of cleaning (something I actually did enjoy! I'm weird...I know) angered me, overwhelmed me and soon started to depress me! Where do I start? Why should I bother it is only going to last for five minutes, if I am lucky? Why does no one else seem to notice the messes I do? By no means is this book a "how to clean" type of book, it is defiantly a "how to DEAL with cleaning" type of book. As I was reading through the book, not only does the author's quirky sense of humor make it a fun read, but it helps you pinpoint the issues that are holding you back. The issues that fester on your anger and resentment towards "the others"; the one's whom you truly do love and would do anything in the world for. These days, the house is cleaned almost on a daily basis (15 minutes is all you really need or maybe 25 if you have three dogs and need to vacuum on a daily basis), "the other's" have their own delegated chores for the nights I am stuck in the office late. Now I no longer see three shades of red when a lonely forgotten soda is left on the coffee table, because I simply look around at the rest of my home and smile. And within two seconds that forgotten mess is cleaned up, even though it was not my mess to clean. So if you are contemplating duct taping your spouse, children, roommates or pets to the couch just so they simply cannot move and therefore cannot create a mess; I suggest you take a read through this book, you will save yourself all the wasted energy on resentment and use it towards actually enjoying time with your family, all while maintaining a clean home. Ah, the thought of harmony in your household, a fantastic thought, isn't it?

Buy Housework Blues: A Survival Guide- How to Cope with the Mental and Emotional Challenge of Keeping a Now

As the author of Clean: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing, Clean Body: The Humble Art of Zen-Cleansing Yourself and Clean Cures: The Humble Art of Zen-Curing Yourself I find Danielle Raines' "Housework Blues A Survival Guide" to be loaded with mountains of insight and incentive. It offers delightful motivation to the housekeeper who typically stands frozen by thoughts of tidying the crisper, Hoover-ing the hallway or even folding their honey's undies.

A swell yet breezy read!

Read Best Reviews of Housework Blues: A Survival Guide- How to Cope with the Mental and Emotional Challenge of Keeping a Here

This book isn't about how to clean--it's about your attitude and how you feel about doing housework. I'm really not sure there really are those out there that do like to clean house, but our environment influences in many ways that most of us really don't understand. There's more to just handling the safety and hygiene areas; how our families see their world is influenced by the environment they are raised in. I was raised in a "clutterholic" household and was amazed to realize that every one of my significant family or friends households were all like this too. This book is good thoughtful reading, with probably several "reads" over time. What didn't seem to be a good idea on one read may be just what you are looking for the next time...I'm already on my third "read" and have picked up ideas each time....Can't say I like to clean, but my attitude is making some adjustments.

Want Housework Blues: A Survival Guide- How to Cope with the Mental and Emotional Challenge of Keeping a Discount?

This is an in depth book that will help you with about anything that is bugging you about housework. As I read through it, I kept thinking of all the people I know that this would help. It helped me!

Restful Sleep: The Complete Mind/Body Program for Overcoming Insomnia

Restful Sleep: The Complete Mind/Body Program for Overcoming InsomniaI sometimes have trouble sleeping . . . not so much getting to sleep, but

staying asleep . . . so when I saw RESTFUL SLEEP by Deepak Chopra,

I jumped at the opportunity to listen to the program.

Subtitled THE COMPLETE MIND/BODY PROGRAM FOR OVERCOMING

INSOMNIA, it delivered a great deal of information . . . but this was not

surprising because Chopra tends to do that with every book and/or tape

he comes out with . . . in my opinion, this was one of his best.

I particularly liked how he backed up his ideas with insights from

Ayurevda, the ancient Indian science of life.

There were many tidbits I gained from listening; among them:

* You can't force yourself to sleep.

* Trying to sleep will not help; it will actually aggravate the

insomnia.

* Turn your clock to the wall. Don't be concerned with the time.

* The solution to all sleep problems is making the period of being

awake totally dynamic and satisfying.

* Lunch should be your heaviest meal of the day.

* Supper should be light and eaten early.

* Take a short stroll after dinner.

* Avoid watching TV at night. If you must, stop by 9 p.m.

* Best to go asleep before 10 p.m., according to the rhythms of

nature.

* Rising earlier will lead to an earlier time for going to bed.

* Wake up at a regular time every day.

* Do reading in a room other than the bedroom.

* Making your bed each day creates an orderly and harmonious

impression when you go to sleep.

* Extract of lavender is considered helpful for sleep.

* Ask yourself: Do you love your job? Are you really happy?

If "yes" to both those questions, then it is likely to will avoid

most heart and other health problems.

Never saw this book for sale before and I've searched Deepak Chopra a lot. Its from 1991 but has a lot of good info on sleep. It has helped me already. There's a test to determine your type. Before I read this, always thought I was a night person, but he explains why there is no such thing.

Buy Restful Sleep: The Complete Mind/Body Program for Overcoming Insomnia Now

The info is rather obvious, but reading helps the sleepless remember what the keys to a good nights sleep are, worth the cost of a book, if only to have for the reminders of what you are doing to keep yourself awake....

Read Best Reviews of Restful Sleep: The Complete Mind/Body Program for Overcoming Insomnia Here

If you have insomnia, and have ordered other audios to help you sleep, don't mistake this for one of them. It is instructional only, read in a daytime voice that you would listen and make notes to during the day. For me, it was a waste of money. I saw positive reviews by people I would have to guess did not have insomnia/sleep anxiety. Deepak Chopra is a wonderful narrator on every other audio I have, except this one. Save your money.

Want Restful Sleep: The Complete Mind/Body Program for Overcoming Insomnia Discount?

As with every book I have read by Deepak Chopra, I found this book to be a goldmine of simple, practical, spiritually uplifting and

stimulating information.

Save 10% Off

The Yoga Body Diet: Slim and Sexy in 4 Weeks (Without the Stress)

The Yoga Body Diet: Slim and Sexy in 4 WeeksI picked up The Yoga Body Diet two days ago, and even just reading the first few chapters has been a tremendous help. This book is great. Before buying this book, I already did yoga at a studio but it was really interesting to see my dosha (and I found it very accurate) and to discover that the type of yoga I already did and enjoyed was the one suitable for my dosha! I also really enjoyed the list of food suitable for your dosha, I thought that was an interesting twist and it was also neat to see that a lot of the food I already enjoyed most was on it.

The first part of the book is to slowly guide you through your four weeks. You spend a chapter looking at the total four weeks, and then there's a chapter that follows for each week which focuses on adding new steps to your routine to get you closer to your new union of mind and body. After week one, you take a quiz to see what your main dosha (attribute, there are three of them) is and each dosha has it's own unique chapter to illustrate your personality, pitfalls that may cause you to gain weight, what type of foods you should focus on eating as well as what type of yoga is good for your dosha. Week two focuses more on getting into yoga (whereas week one is on mindful eating and breathing), eating healthier (and for your dosha). Week three gives you harder work outs, and focuses on shrinking your dinner portions (you should eat a larger lunch, with a smaller dinner). Week four is where you continue to shrink your dinner work out even more intensely, and try to move your dinner time to an earlier time (to help burn fat and with digestion). Once you finish week four, you're done and then you enter in maintenance mode which is meant to maintain your new sexy, slim body.

After you finish the first 94 pages, the rest of the book includes recipes and an illustrated guide for the yoga poses highlighted in the book. I'm a bit of a recipe collector, so I'm really enjoying reading all the recipes, and I found the variations of the recipe suitable for your dosha to be a really nice bonus. The next section of this book is an illustrated guide of the poses so that if you're new to yoga (or need a refresher), you can see what the poses look like for your work out routine. After this section, there is a sample menu for you to follow for each week.

The only thing I wish that this book included was just some more information about the history and philosophy of yoga. I understand that the authors didn't want to overwhelm the readers, especially people who are new to it but it would have been nice if it was more than a small little blurb. I think I also would have enjoyed if the chapters were a bit longer and went into more detail. Regardless, this book is still excellent.

I'm excited to start my yoga body diet, and I think a lot of the advice offered in this book is a really great way to not only introduce people into yoga, but to show people who are already into yoga another level of where their practice can go. It's one thing to practice yoga for exercise, but another to delve into the whole mind body union which this book really emphasizes. Who doesn't want to healthy, calm, sexy, AND slim?

As with any book claiming to give you the quintessential "Body" with a few easy steps I was skeptical. But this book illuminated some easy lifestyle changes (how the body naturally cleanses at night if you don't indulge at night...) that I could incorporate with my yoga practice. I've read other books on Ayerveda and its health benefits but often felt lost and hopeless -that I would never be able to integrate its principles into my busy and always changing day to day. This book was written with clear, concise and easy to follow instructions on how to live by these principles with a fun voice. You'll discover so much about your current state of health and the next page presents the solutions for a better you! Yoga, health and self is a constant study and practice and this book is a refreshing voice.

Buy The Yoga Body Diet: Slim and Sexy in 4 Weeks (Without the Stress) Now

I have been waiting for this book, and it's finally here! I was introduced to ayurveda and yoga last year, and it has been a blessing. This practice has change my life. This has been a daily learning through Chopra books and Dr Douillard he is one of my favorites, and the main reason to buy this book.

The Yoga body diet book has a brief history about yoga, and ayurveda before takes you to the plans week by week. The book also has a test to help you find your doshas, and if you are not familiar with the word, don't worry this book will explain you what it is. After you do the test, you will follow everything that its recommended to you by your dosha. Its amazing you will learn what to eat for your body type dosha and all the yoga poses that will benefit your type. Is like having a manual for your health. I have to say that this books it's very close to the 3 season diet, so if you have the book you probably feel you reading the same book, but of course this has more details, and it has more yoga. I gave this book 4 stars because the authors did not included a page with all the poses to be detach from the book. If you are not familiar with the poses it will be hard to go to the pages looking for your yoga poses, and it will make your practice very stressful. Overall is a good book.

Read Best Reviews of The Yoga Body Diet: Slim and Sexy in 4 Weeks (Without the Stress) Here

I wasn't going to read this book, based upon the "slim and sexy" claim in just four weeks. Just like claims that are too good to be true, unless you have only a few pounds to lose and you are already sexy, you aren't going to get there in four weeks. I also disagree with the back of the book that proudly reads that you'll get "a long and lean yoga body without all the work". Um, no. The yoga poses are challenging and you will sweat, so there will be work.

Though I had written off the book based on the cover (yes, a bad habit, I know), I heard good things about it so I thought I'd check it out. I'm glad I did. Yoga Body Diet gives a good grounding in Ayurvedic eating (fully explained in the book, with a quiz to help you identify your own personalized plan), as well as good strategies such as stopping snacking, no eating before bed, eating organically and seasonally.

I enjoyed the explanation of Ayurveda, the poses best suited for each dosha, good recipes personalized for each type and a shopping list tailored to the dosha. The yoga poses are diagrammed at the back of the book and the explanations seem good but I would be concerned that any newbie to yoga could get injured in some of the advanced poses that are included here. The authors suggest finding a yoga class for instruction and pose correction, but there should be some caveats on poses like shoulderstand, crow, plank folks with more pounds to lose could get hurt trying these poses before they are ready. Modifying poses is perfectly acceptable if your body isn't ready for the full posture.

If the reader is realistic in his/her expectations, this book could be a smart way to improve your energy, your strength, your flexibility and your waistline. Blurbs on covers sell books but the facts inside are what counts.

Want The Yoga Body Diet: Slim and Sexy in 4 Weeks (Without the Stress) Discount?

I've been following this plan for 3 months now and I am so much more toned and lean than ever! My posture is better and stress bothers me less. I do feel more sexy because my body looks and feels better, too. Though I've dabbled in yoga for years the Yoga Body Diet book motivated me to do more yoga and breathing practices, which I am grateful for.

I am having fun with the yoga plans too. Instead of just sticking with the plans for my body type (Vata dosha), I use different plans based on how I'm feeling. For example I was really irritated and upset last week so I followed the yoga plan for the Pitta type which helps calm down 'fire'. And wow I felt so much calmer. Also this winter I felt a bit heavy and sad, so I focused on the yoga for Kapha instead, which helped me stay more energized and up beat (hallelujah!).

This book is definitely aimed towards us ladies, rather than also men, but the title and cover make that pretty obvious.

If you are brand new to yoga it is always good to do some classes in person with a certified teacher to ensure your form is correct.

I recommend this book especially to people who are new to Ayurveda (or natural health), or are overwhelmed with more traditional approaches to Ayurveda which typically include Sanskrit terms, strict protocols, and require a lot more time. I happen to love all that but many people can be turned off by Ayurveda when it seems too 'religious', 'difficult' or 'austere'. The authors make it all simple, doable and applicable to a modern busy lifestyle. Even pleasurable!

I keep this book by my yoga matt to keep me inspired.

Save 30% Off

Take Me Home: Walking on Sacred Ground in the Last Stage of Life

Take Me Home: Walking on Sacred Ground in the Last Stage of LifeDuring a time in life which can feel so very alone and frightening, Liza Johnson extends her hand to the reader to offer wisdom, compassion, comfort, and a new vision in her book: Take Me Home: Walking on Sacred Ground in the Last Stage of Life. In a style which is so readable that I felt myself turning one page and then another and then another until I was almost finished with the book, Liza shares her vision of dealing with our elderly parents. Chapter titles like:" Dawn Magic," "The Accident," "The Jewelry Box,"" My Garden," and "The Red Buffalo" give you a hint of the flavor of the book. Rather than seeing those you care for as a burden (although this reality is certainly represented), she presents the idea that if you enter into this stage of life with openness, you can deepen your relationships,increase your ability to love, experience your spirituality, and reap gifts way beyond what you might have expected.

Liza begins with the personal memoir of her journey with her mother. It is filled with the everyday experiences of dealing with an aging parent yet the reader is introduced to a bigger picture through the unique way Liza shares her own process and writes about memories,nature, people, and spirituality.

The second section of the book consists of personal stories by caregivers. Each is different and yet organized into themes like: "The Last Stage of Life," "Waking up to Mortality: The Caregiver's Call to Face Death," Alzheimer's: Lost and Sometimes Found," and "Waking up to the Mystical."

The last section is called: "The Inner Home" and provides the reader with a method Liza developed to help find some place of peace during her struggles and discoveries with her mother.

This book is a jewel; a gift to the reader going through the sometimes excruciating and yet heart-deepening journey of caregiving. I highly, highly recommend it.

This is a wonderful book, so beautifully written as a memoir and a guide. I could hardly put it down. Ms. Johnson is a storyteller. She invites the reader into a community of those giving care to an aging parent with all the ups and downs. To know that there are others with similar problems, anguish, fears, and joys gives comfort and inspiration. Ms. Johnson transforms this experience with ideas and exercises that help care givers give care to themselves during stressful moments. She illuminates what we all ultimately face: loss and grief. Thinking of aging parents and loved ones, too, Ms. Johnson extends a hand and a hug with her thoughtfulness and her story.

Buy Take Me Home: Walking on Sacred Ground in the Last Stage of Life Now

One of the most important and relevant social topics of our time is dealing with aging parents and the emotional, physical and spiritual process it involves.

"Take Me Home' by Liza Johnson guided me through a time when I was faced with the overwhelming sadness, pain and helplessness of losing both of my parents. With recounts of her personal experiences in stories such as " the birch tree" she helped me to understand that a parent can still be a parent even if they have lost almost all their faculties. That dying and being there at a loved ones death can ultimately enrich the caregiver rather than deplete her. After death, feelings of pain and loss can be transformed ino memories of comfort and support such as in the chapters of "flowers and candy " and "free at last."

Her spirituality and her beautiful discriptions of nature encourages us to find peace in our natural surroundings.

This book is so raw and heartfelt. Ms. Johnson gives us all a gift to expose her most fragile, vulnerable emotion in a desire to help us search and fully understand our own.

Truely, a must read.

Read Best Reviews of Take Me Home: Walking on Sacred Ground in the Last Stage of Life Here

Liza's book was so insightful to me as my mother passed away just last year and Liza's book would have helped prepare me for what my family & I would be facing. I recently bought another book to send to a friend whose mother has Alzheimers and she was so thankful as the words and feelings reinforced what her family is going though and future decisions they will have to make.

Want Take Me Home: Walking on Sacred Ground in the Last Stage of Life Discount?

Strength Training for Seniors: How to Rewind Your Biological Clock

Strength Training for Seniors: How to Rewind Your Biological ClockI liked this book because it gave some really good information about exercising in general, about how the muscles, tendons and ligaments all work in addition to some good exercises and instructions for developing a personal exercise program. Blank worksheets are included to help the reader set specific goals, manage stress, and record progress in workouts. This is a short book but packed with helpful and interesting information on strength training specifically for people over 50. It also includes several different scenarios from real clients he worked with who had different problems to provide inspiration.

To answer the excuse of having no time, Michael Fekete says on pg. 122:

"Put your priorities in order. Eliminate the useless, the unproductive, and the nonsensical. You will be surprised at the amount of time freed up for training. The time you allot to exercise is your best investment. If you think that you cannot make time for exercise now, then be sure to make plenty of time for illnesses and hospitals later."

I highly recommend this book! I found it helpful.

I first saw STRENGTH TRAINING FOR SENIORS mentioned on FirePointe.com, a senior site dedicated to romance and an energetic lifestyle. Then I read books like Dr. Ruth's SEX AFTER 50 and Jeoffrey and Renee Powell's SEASONED ROMANCE, and saw an overall pattern emerging...to live life to the fullest and enjoy romance and wellness and a great attitude more than ever, fitness is both basic and imperative.

All this caused me to start making changes. I ordered STRENGTH TRAINING FOR SENIORS, SENIOR FITNESS and a couple of other related fitness, strength and stretching books. This one is a great primer for all seniors, regardless of your health background. It takes from from A to Z, and builds on a growing desire to get stronger, healthier and more agile.

You can't go wrong with STRENGTH TRAINING FOR SENIORS! And what a difference a better, stronger body makes in every area of life, including lovemaking.

Buy Strength Training for Seniors: How to Rewind Your Biological Clock Now

Excellent motivator and instruction aid for seniors who want to re-up into the world of healthy exercise and re-wind their biological clock.

Read Best Reviews of Strength Training for Seniors: How to Rewind Your Biological Clock Here

Has a whole section on understanding the basis of our strength with diagrams of the muscular system of the human body. Good reading.

Want Strength Training for Seniors: How to Rewind Your Biological Clock Discount?

Corps Strength: A Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant's Program for Elite Fitness

Corps Strength: A Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant's Program for Elite FitnessAm I really the first girl to review this book? Wow...So I was browsing Amazon.com for Marine Corps history books for my Dad and came across this book...for myself. I found the personal approach that MGySgt Roarke used by sharing his background with the readers really made the program seem real...and not some fad like the late night infomercials you see on TV. It was almost as if I was sitting listening to him explain these things to me. The layout is simple and VERY easy to follow.

The photos in Appendix B that show the proper way are very helpful,especially to someone who hasnt "PT"ed this way before. Sometimes positioning, especially if you've never done an exercise, can be difficult or cause bodily harm. Some slight modifications to some of the exercises to make room for my "girlie" parts, but otherwise fantastic. I've also found that in the past I have been missing a lot by not properly stretching. What a difference that is making in my "PT." The nutritional information in Chapter 8 "Chow" was fantastic. I have learned so much that I have already lost 4 lbs by changing my eating habits while working out my own personal EPRS schedule similar to those in Appendix E.

My favorites section was Chapter 10: Excuses, Vampires and Useless Information. In the past, I've always had excuses and/or emotional vampires to keep me from achieving my personal fitness goals. This book DESTROYED all of that an opened up a new mindset. I didn't go on a diet because of this book; I made a life change....AND IT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

Thank you MGySgt Roarke for breaking this down for those of us who haven't served in the USMC. Thank you for the tool to change my life!

Semper Fidelis!

As a Marine myself I found the stories hilarious! The advice strait to the point and on the money. The Master Gunnz took a hard look at physical fitness and found a way to get it done no matter what the situation, the guy even worked out while in Combat. If he can do it I feel like I can do it to. I really enjoyed the book and like the idea that I don't need a lot of fancy gear to get my work out on! His advice is easy to read, easy to follow and repeatable. That is how we measure success in the Marine Corps. It is also great to hear a Marine who is now retired, talking about staying in shape for life. Once a Marine always a Marine! Buy the book, I highly recommend it. Bates Desert Tactical Boots

Buy Corps Strength: A Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant's Program for Elite Fitness Now

"Corps Strength" is a breath of fresh air in the overhyped, and often dishonest physical fitness book genre. True to his character as a senior Marine SNCO, MGuns Roarke simplifies physical fitness and avoids blowing smoke. MGuns clearly explains fitness concepts and how the average man or woman can implement MGuns' workouts into a hectic life.

As a retired Marine, I'm somewhat biased but if MGuns' concepts were just window dressing I wouldn't have bought the book. There is an abundance of military themed fitness books and products on the market. Most of them are unrealistic, and are unsustainable in terms of time and resources. I would venture to say that most people who buy these products quit after their false enthusiasm wears off. Navy Seal fitness books are great for Navy Seals or Seal prospects, but most of us are not nor will be Navy Seals. By contrast, MGuns' Roarke's book is easy to read, his plan simple to execute, and above all it's realistic. Those characteristics set MGySgt Roarke's book far apart from any other book or product in this category. Whether you're a teenager or part of the middle age brigade (OOH-RAH!), MGuns program is adaptable and doable. The plan can be tailored to whatever state of physical fitness you're in, and even those who are injured can make basic use of some of the plan's elements.

I e-mailed MGuns with some questions, and he immediately responded. How many authors do that in this day and age? I have bought two copies and plan to purchase more to give to other Marines and others who can make use of this book. Because of its simplicity, realism, and its no gimmick approach, I give this book 5 stars.

MGuns: Thanks for writing this. It was long overdue!

R/S

R. Hollander

Read Best Reviews of Corps Strength: A Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant's Program for Elite Fitness Here

In this very useful guide, you get all the information you really need for lifelong health and fitness.

I think of the varying levels of quality I experienced in regard to physical-training (P.T.) sessions, when I was in the Marine Corps. This program compiled by Master Gunnery Sargeant Roarke is very similar to the rigorous routines we experienced as students in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. The instructor course was only six weeks, ...but what a profound effect it had! Everyone went home much leaner and meaner! Although Mr. Roarke is retired, the Marine Corps would make a good investment by hiring him as a consultant to further establish this program

throughout the U.S.M.C.

This book is NOT one of those glossy tomes of narcisism that promise you a glamorous body for the beach!

This is a book for PRACTICAL fitness!

This is a guide for all those people who work in some manner of job that demands peak performance. This book is for those who go into harm's way, probably in some variation of a green, black, or blue uniform. This is the training you REALLY need, if you are serving in the military, police, or emergency services. This book is also for those who work in other fields that are highly physical. A construction-worker, farmer, or full-contact martial-arts athlete will appreciate this information too.

The bottom line: You can get very tough and very strong with only a minimum of equipment. A Marine, regardless of his specific job, must maintain himself in fighting-condition. Deploying overseas, one does not always get access to a gym. Marines IMPROVISE! Much of the excercises in here are body-weight excercises. If you put the effort into it, you can get amazing results from even limited facilities.

SEMPER FIDELIS!

Want Corps Strength: A Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant's Program for Elite Fitness Discount?

This is a decent book for your average Joe that needs a kick-in-the-butt to get off the couch and get in shape. The author advocates functional strength and conditioning, what he calls "working fitness," over beach muscles. Workouts consist of a 5 minute warm-up, 30 minutes of cardio, 20 minutes of weights/calisthenics and a 5 minute cool-down. He gives some ideas for different types of cardio, calisthenics and weight training exercises you can do. There's also a section on nutrition. It's mostly common sense but a reminder doesn't hurt.

He takes a very no-nonsense, no excuses approach which is good. Too many people find excuses to not get in shape and the author tells it like it is. This is a pretty basic workout book -it's short and to the point. It doesn't go into a lot of details so people who are really interested in fitness would be better off looking for a more comprehensive book.

If you're a busy, working person that wants a good plan to start getting into shape, I recommend this book. However, if you're already in-shape, workout a lot, & have your diet in order, there isn't much you can glean from this book.

Save 29% Off

Escape To Paradise: Living & Retiring In Panama

Escape To Paradise: Living & Retiring In PanamaI enjoyed quickly reading through Richard's modest book. It provides a good general sense of what to consider if planning to move to a foreign country and specifically to the community around Boquete. This is one of two glaring problems with the book. First it only covers Boquete and omits any real discussion of anywhere else one might consider living in Panama. The second omission is any serious discussion of alternative countries in which to settle, in Latin America in countries including Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay where Americans have been moving and settling for quite some time, much less other countries in Central America.

It would be like writing a book on moving to the USA and then covering only Ventura, California, and left out the Rocky Mountain states, the Carolinas, or even northern California which only has the Napa wine country, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco Bay area, Monterey/Carmel, Palm Springs, and lots of other areas to consider. What struck me with the comments made by Richard was the lack of perspective on alternatives.

For example in the community of Boguete he mentions that it takes more than 6 hours to drive to the nearest hospital. For him this is perfectly reasonable. Apparently unknown to Richard is that one can live almost anywhere in Costa Rica and be less than 2 hours from a hospital and for 70% of the areas where gringos are settling there is a top rated hospital within 60 minutes or less drive time.

Flying in or out of Panama means using the airport at Panama City which is a 6-7 hour drive from Boquete which makes going in or out of the country a multi-day affair as does going to the capital on business. Contrast that with a drive time of 1-3 hours for most destinations in Costa Rica and going in and out of the country or going to the capital to conduct business or just to do shopping at the discount hypermarkets are going to be very different experiences.

What is not apparent in reading Richard's book is to what extent he spent any time traveling around countries other than Panama in Latin America before making his decision to move to Boquete. In planning where I want to spend my retirement I am investing the time and money to go to multiple countries and travel around for weeks at a time and get knowledge to add to what I get from books, websites, and the experiences of friends and business associates.

I like Richard's overall perspective about living in a foreign country but I would not recommend his approach that is a little too analytical and does not provide adequate weight to many factors I would expect many people would consider important, like access to medical care, hospitals, goods, and services. An MBA inspired spreadsheet is of very limited value as the appraisal is basically a compilation of subjectively evaluated perceptions on aspects like the relative "stability" of the government which means determining the stability of Panama and all the other governments of the western hemisphere.

I would also want to spend a month traveling around the country and checking out as many locations as possible before settling down into one particular town in one corner of the country. As difficult as it is to move and settle down and possible buy land and build your own home it would be wise to try to avoid doing it twice. Most of the people who have written books on retiring in Costa Rica first built or bought homes along the ocean and then moved to the cooler inland highland plateau areas (which also provide better access to goods, services, and hospitals).

It is not a bad book but it could have been much better and should have been for the price. I found the same information, often of little interest, repeated multiple times in the book and with no new information or perspective provided with each retelling. For someone who has spent so much time in university classrooms it is also strange that the concept of a lead in sentence followed by additional sentences that support the first is not actually done within the book. A more critical editor would have helped greatly.

One example is the repeated references to the Empera native tribal members which may be of interest at a cultural anthropological point of view but has no bearing on a "European" or North American moving to Panama and taking up residence. The context is hard to see.

Richard makes the provocative statement that he wishes he had taken more of his tools when moving his household goods to Panama. And he leaves it at that. At first I thought, this is helpful, but then I realized that he had provided no information as to why he regrets not taking more of his tools with him or which tools. Big difference between wishing you had your former metal lathe or table saw and wishing you had your assortment of pipe wrenches or woodworking tools. What could have been a very informative paragraph dies on the page.

Richard is a good writer and one can only hope that he updates this book with a critical eye as to how to provide more information and provide a broader perspective. I suspect that like so many people before him he has spent a year or two settling in to his newly adopted country and then decides to write a book on his experiences. The difficult is in recalling all that transpired over that time and what mistakes were made and what would have been done instead with the aid of hindsight. I am sure that Christopher Howard with his books on Costa Rica and other countries in the area has worked hard to update and add to and edit his books to make them as good as they are today.

I've been following Richard's blog at for several months. You should sign up for his updates. His stories are always entertaining and educational about Panama. The more I learn about Panama, the more exciting it sounds.

Moving to another country is a big decision but Richard's book helps you think through all the benefits of moving to Panama.

Get Escape to Paradise! It is a GREAT book and the best information I have found anywhere about relocating to Panama

Why Panama? The cost of living is much cheaper, 1st class health care costs 80% less than North America, the food is better for you, the air is cleaner, you'll have less stress in your life because you're not worrying about money all the time, and from the photos I've seen Panama is breathtakingly beautiful.

The one comment hear from everyone who has moved to Panama is -they wish they had moved there sooner! Many report that they can live comfortably in Panama on their social security alone.

Thousands of Americans, Canadians, and Europeans have moved to Panama -i hope to be one of them soon.

Congratulations on a fantastic book Richard!

Buy Escape To Paradise: Living & Retiring In Panama Now

My husband and I both enjoyed this book immensely! We made the move ourselves to Boquete, Panama six years ago. If ONLY we had had this book to help prepare ourselves when we were first considering making the move!! The author tells you everything you need to know about what it's like to live here. We loved the way he included his own experiences in the telling. It made it ever so much more personal and interesting to us. If you have any thoughts about finding your own paradise, and particularly finding your paradise, as we and the author did, here in Boquete, Panama, you MUST buy this book!!

Read Best Reviews of Escape To Paradise: Living & Retiring In Panama Here

The book had a lot of really great and practical information. We are planning on "retiring" abroad for a multitude of reasons, many of which were mentioned by Richard as his reasons. I really enjoyed making the list of 15 things we wanted in our place of residence. Great exercise!

This has honestly been more helpful to me than any other ex-pat book I have picked up. The real costs of things like health care, electricity and so on. I would have liked more information on other areas, but since Richard lives in Boquete this is his area of expertise.

My only criticism is much of the information gets repeated 3 or more time throughout the book. I feel this is the editors shortfall more than the author. But clearly I am not a writer..

Want Escape To Paradise: Living & Retiring In Panama Discount?

Richard really hit the nail....of all places...on the head !!

Of all the articles and books I RESEARCHED...this one tells it like it really is, with no personal axes to grind. Even tho Richard has obviously been in Panama for quite some time his approach is current. His answers are to questions that the other literature I read failed to ask....much less answer!

Not only that, his approach is far from lofty or detached...it's like you're both sittin' at the breakfast table sharing conversation....with a little wit here and an off hand comment there. None of it a waste, but a nice easy way to give the info YOU'RE interested in !!

Oh....and there are a few little cliff hangers...like what is the meaning of Boquete in _________....well I don't want to spoil it !!

Not that I'm the expert all of a sudden....but we have been there a several times, have bought our land, have a great architect, and are headin' that way really soon !

Bob

Save 27% Off

Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes

Fit and Fabulous in 15 MinutesI have never written a review before but have felt it was the least I could do for what I have received from this program. I purchased this book on impluse, and at the time was committed to doing my free weights routine from Joyce Vedral's book (one of her many). I was about 3 mths into the Joyce Vedral program and was beginning to see some improvement (which is about the time period her bk tells you to expect). Not needing to try yet another routine I found myself buying the T-Tapp book. After reading it over the weekend I was truly inspired by all of the wonderful testimonies, before and after pictures and the stated benefits (beyond body shaping) that the book covers. I started the routine and was able to accomplish the first fifteen min routine on my own but was really left wondering if I was missing something in my form so I redeemed my coupon and bot the DVD for the Total Workout (which with the 30% off and the free DVD in the back it is a good deal I think). Let me tell you, I am SO impressed with the results. I fortunately don't have pounds to loose just shaping up. Ever since I had my son at age 21 I started a pilgramage of what workout routine would finally get me back into shape. I also thought in the back of my mind that one day before I was old I would like to exprience what it would be like to be fit again. I have done yoga (Bikram), pilates, gym with weights, free weights at home, callanetics, lotte burk etc. etc. The thing that most impresses me about this program is that the results are so fast. A couple of weeks in and I was really seeing toning, flatter stomach and most importantly losing back fat! I kept asking my personal trainer (during the gym work out days) how to lose that and she said more cardio, but I never could make it budge and now four weeks into this program it has significantly reduced. I can't wait to see the continued improvement. I have every faith now that my idle fantasy of having a fit figure again is on it's way (and some my argue is already here). And one last thing for all the moms out there nothing, and I mean nothing, has come close to the speed with which my tummy has reduced and is on it's way to being flat. I just had to share because this is a fitness program that has this 40 year old feeling excited and not afraid of celebrating my future birthdays. I have every expectation that I will be looking great (and feeling great as well).

My energy and my mood have sky-rocketed! After years of extreme, undiagnosed fatigue and steady weight gain, I suddenly feel great. I am playful instead of dutiful with my children, I am dancing and singing along with the music station instead of slogging through my day listening to monotonous talk radio, and my husband and I are experiencing something akin to a renaissance. And I am loving my snug clothes getting loose and my loose clothes hitting the Goodwill box.

T-Tapp is the real deal. It really works, and works quickly. But be forewarned: it isn't without effort. It is completely unlike getting on a treadmill and zoning out for thirty minutes. Learning T-Tapp is more like learning to play an instrument. It requires thought, concentration, application, and practice.

For example, after doing Organs in Place all week, I suddenly felt a real, physical shift occur while I was doing "tighten, release, tighten, release" the other day. I had been thinking of that part as just strengthening muscles after organs were in place, but no--it is a huge part of the actual "putting organs in place" part! A week of going through the motions, and then sudden insight and a new level of effectiveness. This new understanding has changed the way I do that move a bit. Now, I was already seeing great progress before I *got* this fine point, but getting it really made a difference. In other words, faking it till you make it is okay, in fact, vital, as long as you keep trying to perfect your technique.

I am generally pleased with the book itself. Unfortunately, it can't download the information directly into my brain, but it does give detailed, well-illustrated instructions for each posture and movement, including the whys and the most common mistakes. It is written clearly, although the complexity of the subject is bound to make even the clearest writing overwhelm at first. I loved the index, and find it and excellent crib-sheet for navigating the website. While I enjoyed all the success stories, I did find the way they are inserted into the text distracting. I also found myself a little unsure a couple of times if a photo was illustrating good form or a common mistake, due to lack of clear captions.

Though I've never met her, I adore Teresa Tapp, and feel indebted to her for the years of work that she poured into developing the T-Tapp system, testing and documenting it's effectiveness, and bringing it to the public. She is not afraid of scientific studies! I perceive her as educated, knowledgeable and honest, and bought some things from her website I would never have believed were anything but a rip-off from any other source. (Think "cellulite.") But I'd like to see T-Tapp made more "user friendly." I think this book is a great step in that direction, but I hope there is a restructuring of the website in the works.

The T-Tapp website is a wonderful resource, and I spend a lot of time there these days, surfing for free, looking for inspiration as well as information. But is so difficult to navigate.

For example, I ordered several items from the site--which arrived promptly and were a real treat to get. But the ordering process was a real pain. I had to locate products by wading through categories clicking through several different pages, then check the boxes of products I wanted. So far, not too bad, but when I tried to check out, only the last couple of item appeared in my cart. I finally figured out that after selecting items you have to click on a *check out* link at the bottom of the page to put the checked items in your cart, or you lose the items when you move on to continue shopping. And the system times you out really quickly if you step away to get your purse or change a diaper. With all my bumbling, I had to start from scratch a couple of times. (I really wanted the stuff...I'd never have persevered for a more casual interest.)

I'd love to see website that's more intuitive to navigate, with a checkout system as easy as Amazon's.

It's sort of a metaphor for the beauty and frustration of T-Tapp itself, now that I think about it. It is more complex and requires more of us mentally than we expect from exercise, but we stick with it because the payoff is so huge. T-Tapp may get refined and more accessible, as the years pass, but until then, it's worth the effort. If it were the same old same old that fit our comfort level, it wouldn't be revolutionary, or worth your money.

Buy Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes Now

I just wanted to start out with...Yes! I am a long time T-Tapper. I've also done all kinds of other exercises through the years like weight lifting, running, trampoline, power walking, aerobics, etc. And yes, I got some nice results from those things. But no, never in any other exercise program have I received all of the wonderful results that I have from T-Tapping. Those results not only consist of amazing inch loss but other wonderful and very important things like rebuilding of my body systems from the inside out, better digestion and elimination, better toxin drainage, no more blood sugar problems, depression has totally lifted, better skin, hair, and nails, and a new zest for life in general.

As far as T-Tapp being a cardio workout? Well, whoever posted that T-Tapp wasn't enough because we NEED to do some cardio as well, has obviously never T-Tapped, or at least never done it right. Anyone that has actually done T-Tapp knows that it provides an amazing cardio workout, and also rehabilitates the knees, and that is why Teresa says that it is all you need. If you actually do the program and pay attention to the form you will see why it rehabs the knees and why you get relief if you have knee pain. I had severe knee pain when I started T-Tapp 4 years ago and it was gone within a month. I haven't had it since and I'm 44 years old. I was also very overweight when I started. Other members of my family have already had knee replacement surgeries but I will never need one. I think it is very important to know your facts before you post such nonsense as the KLT is actually harmful and isn't proper alignment.

The book is very detailed on proper form which is really helpful in doing the routine right. The pictures are very helpful and the descriptions very simple and plain. The testimonials are varied and interesting. Something is there that everyone can relate to. The reason why is because Teresa Tapp is a real person that works with real people of every shape and size. T-Tapping isn't about being a Barbie doll, or a fitness buff. It is about rebuilding your body with rehabilitative exercises that help us turn the clock back from all the years of abuse. And, amazingly it really works! Teresa teaches all of us to be the best we can be, and to work at our own personal max. My personal max four years ago is very different than my personal max today after a serious car accident 8 months ago. I am so very thankful and grateful that I know about T-Tapp, and the rehabilitative parts of it because it has been very instrumental in my rehab program. There is no way I could have lifted weights, done aerobic jumping around, ran, or even walked. But I could sit in my wheelchair and strengthen and rehab every muscle in my body even with a bunch of metal and screws holding my leg, ankle, foot, and arm together. I could lie on the floor and do the floor routines also. All the while I was doing this, I was also moving my lymph, cleaning out all the overdose of drugs and antibiotics I received, and moving my circulation as nothing else could have ever done. What an amazing form of exercise!

Oh, one more thing...if some people are wondering why some of us veteran Tappers are so loyal and enthusiastic about Tapping, it's simply because it works, it is a total lifestyle that meets so many peoples real needs. People that weigh 400 lbs can do it. People that are sitting in wheelchairs can do it. People that have blood sugar problems can do it. People that are depressed can do it. I even know of one woman that had no arms and legs that did it and lost several sizes and gained a ton of self esteem. I personally know many of the trainers and I don't know one of them that have gotten rich in any way. They all have sacrificed and given so much of themselves, like free advice and help on the forums and over the phone, all because they are passionate about T-Tapp. Believe me they don't get paid for it and they aren't prompted to do plugs. The reason they seem to have such a self-sacrificing spirit is because that is the kind of people Teresa attracts. She chose long ago to not go for the glitz and glamour and quick roads to riches so she could continue to serve us real woman with real life problems in the everyday world. Again, those that have made negative comments have never really T-Tapped, or have never met Teresa Tapp. I usually am not one to even say or comment about another's negative comments, but after all that I've gone through for the last 8 months and the hope that T-Tapp has given me, not to mention the cards and free gifts from Ms. T herself of alfalfa and body balance and salts and other wonderful things that showed up at my doorstep intending to help me get back on my feet. I mean I only met the lady in person once and she was right there with support after my accident. She has time and a heart for real woman with real problems and she has a wealth of knowledge in her head that she shares freely with anyone that needs it. That is why there is so much information posted on her website for FREE and "Try BEFORE you buy" video clips. There is no pretense. Everything is right up front. She also provides free advice over the phone if you call the office to ANYONE with special needs or questions of any kind.

So I guess you can say...I'm a T-Tapper for life!!! I'm also a trainer in training. I don't ever expect to make any big bucks doing it and I don't know how long it will take me with my current limitations. I'm doing it because the wealth of information and help that is found in knowing the T-Tapp secrets is worth spending my time to let others know. The joy of finally having tools for every woman with any body shape or size is something that I am very excited about being a part of, especially after my own weight problems and struggles to rehabilitate my broken body.

The book is great! Her videos are great! Get the book and get her basic workout on video also if you can. You are in for a life changing exercise program that is worth every single penny! And if you need help after reading the book, just call the office, email a trainer, or post on the forum. You will find a group of great people that will rally around you and support you whatever your goals or limitations.

Read Best Reviews of Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes Here

I am 55 years old. Long ago I learned to ignore book titles that over-promise. So I never would have given this book, promising the loss of 2 sizes in 4 weeks, a second glance except that Mary Shomon recommended it. Mary has a lot of credibility with me, as she wrote the best book I've read on thyroid issues: Living Well with Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You... That You Need to Know (Revised Edition) In Mary's newsletter, I clicked on a link to a short video of Teresa Tapp demonstrating one of her exercises. My interest was piqued. This was an approach to exercise I'd never seen before.

I grew up in a sports family and have exercised fairly consistently all my life, including weight training for 15 years with personal trainers and swimming competitively for many years with Masters.

However, no exercise I ever did prepared me for the T-Tapp program. I received the book in the mail ten days ago, read it through, and today am on Day 7 of the 15-minute workout (which takes me about 40 minutes because I'm just learning). In FOUR days (FOUR DAYS!) my clothes were fitting better. A pair of slacks I could barely button the week before fit just fine after four days of T-Tapping. I couldn't believe it. Nothing I've done exercise-wise has ever worked so quickly. Each day I continue to improve. I've had no muscle soreness but do feel a warm tingle (not at all uncomfortable) up and down my spine. And when I race up the four flights of stairs to my apartment, I'm not out of breath!

I have read a number of unfavorable reviews of T-Tapp as well as reviews from people saying they've done T-Tapp for two years and not noticed any real change in their bodies. My hunch is that this is because T-Tapp requires really good mind-body connection.

Developing a mind-body connection is difficult but absolutely essential to successful T-Tapping. If you're a person who can tighten any given muscle by willing it, then you've got great mind-body connection. I can, for instance, easily tighten a single butt cheek if I want :) Or I can tighten my lats just by thinking about doing so. It took me a long time to develop this and I needed help to do so (particularly, Pilates trainers helped me learn this). Going thru the T-Tapp moves without having a good mind-body connection is going to effect no change in one's body because it's not the positions that make the program work, it's the way the positions are done.

By the way, the reason T-Tapp devotees don't need to increase reps over time is because, as they do them, they go deeper and deeper into the exercises.

I just ordered the DVD which, at something like $80, seems pricey but, actually, given the price of gym memberships, personal trainers, special devices (Thigh Master, anyone?), etc, is not at all expensive. Aside from the ab exercises and Hoe Downs that I get on the DVD that comes with the book, I've learned all of the exercises (for the 15-min program) from the text in the book. I can't wait to be able to follow along on a DVD instead. I'm sure I'll move to the 45-minute workout once it arrives.

I've been to the T-Tapp web site, which I myself find a bit unorganized. And even though I will undoubtedly purchase more on T-Tapp exercises, I am not likely to get into teeth whitening etc with Teresa Tapp (I personally think it dilutes her area of expertise to offer nutritional supplements).

Still, I'm passionate about T-Tapp as an exercise program and am truly astounded by my own progress and how amazingly well I feel. My post-menopausal body is becoming more shapely by the day. And that's all I need to swear by T-Tapp and recommend it to all my friends.

Want Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes Discount?

As in any exercise program, effort must be made to work consistently, effectively, and to combine that exercise with proper eating habits. That said, this books follows those guidelines. However, I am an individual who does better seeing the exercises performed than trying to follow them from a book. This does not take away from the book, but I believe for anyone who is a visual learner, they would benefit from watching a video and using the book as a great reference/encouragement guide. Ms. Tapp does have free video downloads that you can use before purchasing actual videos from her website. Supplements are also OPTIONAL including the alfalfa.

I believe the individual who gave the book such a negative review (most of his/her reviews are negative!) is either a disgruntled person or can't be bothered with actually giving something a chance. Yes, the exercises are difficult. I have tried them. Yes, the people who do her workouts and write on the forums at T-Tapp can get carried away with their belief in the program, but does this make it nul and void? Does this make them wackos? It obviously works for them and who can say otherwise? Different things work for different people. I would say that if you are interested in T-Tapp, go to the website first. Print out the exercises and download the free video clips. Give it a try. It doesn't cost anything. If it works for you, order a video, get the book. But don't slam it till you try it.

Save 18% Off