Stretch: The Unlikely Making Of A Yoga Dude (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
This book had such potential, but Neal Pollack is a fairly unlikable guy. He knows this and tells you straight up, but I still thought there would be something redeemable after making it through the whole book. He seems to be on a quest for self improvement, but every conversation with his wife is a declaration of what he plans to do with or without her (which I found kind of gross). In addition, he spends 80% of the book telling you how broke his family is and how he's trying to get yoga classes on the cheap since they have no money but then follows that with how much pot he has to buy. The constant pot smoking also bothered me because it was a complete distraction. I think it was supposed to make him more approachable or funny, but I found it added nothing (and wasn't funny.) It received two stars because I enjoyed the yoga stuff. This was... It wasn't bad? But it... just wasn't that good. Pollack seems like a dick, which is sort of the point. But, between reveling in being a dick, and talking about how yoga made him less of a dick, it seemed like there should be... a book, of some kind? Mostly, this is a general chronological list of things that happened, mostly related to yoga. I think it's maybe meant to show a ... progression? Spiritual development and growth, a life enhanced by the practice? But mostly, it seems like he just kind of stays an unhealthy dick. His physical condition, often commented on, doesn't seem that much improved after the years of practice, and the "best self" he's searching for seems... maybe somewhat closer at hand, but not really realized?I don't know - I don't want to criticize someone else's journey. But, I guess I can criticize the book about it? It's just not that interesting - maybe if I knew or cared more about yoga culture. I was hoping for a more personal account, of how this affected his life, at a time when some personal enlightenment might benefit me? But, that's not so much what's found here.
What do You think about Stretch: The Unlikely Making Of A Yoga Dude (2010)?
you will laugh your ass off. all yogis must read. so fun
—cookiemonster
