Breathing Space

October 6, 2008
This book by the coauthors of Chakra Yoga
follows yoga veteran Repka through an anxious first year in New York, her disappointment with intimidating yoga classes—bastions of chic slimness—and her serendipitous meeting with “Supreme Yogi” Alan Finger. She is inspired by the yogi's tantric knowledge, and Finger recognizes Repka's skill and passion. He makes her his assistant, and the two embark on private sessions in which Finger reveals the advantages of breath work in ameliorating stress, resolving problems and increasing well-being. The breathing exercises at the end of each chapter increase in difficulty, and the authors suggest audio-taping each assignment (rather than trying to follow them in written form) for ease of completion. While Repka's happy ending might feel suspiciously neat, the universality of her need to find focus and balance, as well as the time-honored application of the breathing remedy, make this book an illuminating endeavor. The pairing of day-to-day problems with a distinctive antidote is anything but pedestrian. A quick read, the book conjures a powerful portrait of the mentor-pupil dynamic.

November 15, 2008
Yoga instructor Repka here suggests using breathing exercises to discover one's self and goals. In a combination memoir/instructional handbook, she details techniques taught by renowned yoga instructor Finger to help readers ease self-destructive tendencies, develop compassion for others, and release creativity. Each of the ten exercises is two pages long, which means that approximately 230 pages are devoted to Repka's experiences of an ill-fated move to New York City to be with her boyfriend. While the author does apply the practice of yoga to emotional/psychological issues, the actual self-help content is minimal. An optional purchase.

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