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Book description

It is time to address the dissonance between the often superficial way yoga is currently being practiced and the depth of yoga’s ancient universal spiritual teachings. In this clarion call to action, Jivana Heyman offers a blueprint for cultivating a practice based in the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras in service of those experiencing exclusion and oppression.

Heyman illuminates the yogic mandate of seva—or acts of service that see, care for, and uplift those around us—as a way to serve the world without losing your way. Through pose sequences, practice prompts such as “Embracing Failure,” and stories from yoga teachers who are implementing seva in their classes, Heyman shows you what it means to serve, how to serve, and how to promote inclusivity through your service. Our job, says Heyman, is not to clear our mind through yoga practice, but rather to expand it so widely that it can embrace the entire universe.

Jivana Heyman

Jivana Heyman

Author Bio

JIVANA HEYMAN, C-IAYT, E-RYT500, is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an organization dedicated to increasing access to the teachings of yoga and supporting yoga teachers. He’s the author of Accessible Yoga, Yoga Revolution,and The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga. His books, classes, and trainings support teachers and therapists in finding ways to bring creativity and collaboration into their teaching while respecting the ancient yoga tradition.

Praise for the book

Dianne Bondy

author of Yoga Where You Are

“Yoga Revolution is the message we need right now in modern yoga. Jivana Heyman skillfully leads us to a path of true action (karma) and reconciliation (satya). The body is political, and anything we do with our bodies requires us to acknowledge our impact on the world (svadhyaya).”

Gail Parker

PhD, C-IAYT, author of Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma

“Jivana Heyman reminds us that the yoga revolution begins within our own hearts and minds and that a full heart and an open mind are needed to support wise social-justice activism. Yoga Revolution is readable, relatable, and revolutionary.”

Indu Arora

author of Yoga and Mudra

“What a gift to the Yoga community! This book is transformational, much needed, and revolutionary, indeed. Practical, raw, and real. Through Yoga Revolution , Jivana makes the philosophy livable and the practices doable for everybody.”

Jeremy David Engels

co-founder of Yoga Lab, author of The Ethics of Oneness and The Art of Gratitude

“Let’s ask ourselves how we can make real change in the world.’ With these words, offered in a gentle and courageous voice, Jivana Heyman charts a path forward for global yogis toward a more just, humane, and democratic future. Our culture is very good at shutting people and conversations down. What I appreciate most about this book is that it is designed to promote deep and thoughtful conversation about yoga, and to open spaces of dialogue, learning, and healing. I can’t wait to talk with others about it!”

Matthew J. Taylor

PT, PhD, C-IAYT, past president of the International Association of Yoga Therapists

“Yoga Revolution is a critical call to action for yoga professionals and practitioners alike.”

Daniel Simpson

author of The Truth of Yoga

“A heartfelt reminder that yoga is not about us, but a much bigger picture. Although early yogis withdrew from the world to seek spiritual truth, blissing out in a bubble means ignoring injustice. As Jivana Heyman persuasively argues in Yoga Revolution , a more balanced approach is to care for ourselves so we’re better resourced for serving others. The emphasis on social engagement is in itself a revolutionary shift, drawing on traditional ideas to present modern ways of reducing suffering.”

Kino MacGregor

author of Get Your Yoga On

“This book is a deeply personal integration of the spiritual principles of yoga presented in an utterly relevant and engaging format. I was touched by the numerous stories that Jivana shared, as well as with the yoga teacher profiles. A great effort has been made here to process the traditional Indian origins of yoga in a contemporary social and cultural context. This is a teaching every yoga student in the West should certainly read!”

Melanie Klein

author of Embodied Resilience through Yoga

“Yoga Revolution is a love song to the practice of yoga. What a blessing and a gift to us all.”

Jason Crandell

Vinyasa teacher, contributor to Yoga Journal

“Yoga Revolution is an indispensable guide for all contemporary practitioners striving to respect the roots of the yoga tradition while using the practice to guide comprehensive social change."”

Anusha Wijeyakumar

MA, CPC, E-RYT, author of Meditation with Intention

“Yoga is much more than asana, and this book explores the intersection of Yoga and social justice as a vehicle for revolution internally and externally, which is much needed globally in the time we are in.”

Zahabiyah (Zabie) Yamasaki

M.Ed, RYT, author, Trauma-Informed Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault

“Jivana has given us the gift of his heart and vulnerability as he invites us to look into the intersections of our yoga practice, activism, and commitment to social justice without abandoning ourselves. He toes the delicate balance of inviting us to hold grief and joy at the same time, to honor the non-linear journey of healing, and to lean into tools that allow us to show up more fully alive for the work we do. A must-read for every yoga teacher.”

Yoga Therapy Today

a publication of the International Association of Yoga Therapists

“Yoga therapists can use Yoga Revolution to guide their regular yoga practices—the inner work—that will support their outer work with clients. This book shows the potential for growth in the field of yoga therapy through comprehensive embodiment and seva.”

Author: Jivana Heyman

Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage and Compassion

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