The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America
SKU: 20308976081

The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America

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The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in AmericaIn The Subtle Body, Stefanie Syman tells the surprising story of yoga's transformation from a centuries old spiritual discipline to a multibillion dollar American industry. Yoga's history in America is longer and richer than even its most devoted practitioners realize. It was present in Emerson's New England, and by the turn of the twentieth century it was fashionable among the leisure class. And yet when Americans first learned about yoga, what they

In The Subtle Body, Stefanie Syman tells the surprising story of yoga's transformation from a centuries-old spiritual discipline to a multibillion-dollar American industry.

Yoga's history in America is longer and richer than even its most devoted practitioners realize. It was present in Emerson's New England, and by the turn of the twentieth century it was fashionable among the leisure class. And yet when Americans first learned about yoga, what they learned was that it was a dangerous, alien practice that would corrupt body and soul.

A century later, you can find yoga in gyms, malls, and even hospitals, and the arrival of a yoga studio in a neighborhood is a signal of cosmopolitanism. How did it happen? It did so, Stefanie Syman explains, through a succession of charismatic yoga teachers, who risked charges of charlatanism as they promoted yoga in America, and through generations of yoga students, who were deemed unbalanced or even insane for their efforts. The Subtle Body tells the stories of these people, including Henry David Thoreau, Pierre A. Bernard, Margaret Woodrow Wilson, Christopher Isherwood, Sally Kempton, and Indra Devi.

From New England, the book moves to New York City and its new suburbs between the wars, to colonial India, to postwar Los Angeles, to Haight-Ashbury in its heyday, and back to New York City post-9/11. In vivid chapters, it takes in celebrities from Gloria Swanson and George Harrison to Christy Turlington and Madonna. And it offers a fresh view of American society, showing how a seemingly arcane and foreign practice is as deeply rooted here as baseball or ballet.

This epic account of yoga's rise is absorbing and often inspiring--a major contribution to our understanding of our society.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Farrar Strauss & Giroux-3pl
Published: 05/24/2011
ISBN: 9780374532840
Pages: 390
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 1.10d

Review Citations: New York Times Book Review 06/05/2011 pg. 52
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SKU: 20308976081

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Los Angeles, US
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Very stylish and functional, the suction cups hold it in place
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Functional and Good Quality
Color: 01-silver, Color: 01-silver
I give this SMARTAKE paper towel holder 4 stars. Overall, it's a very good product that I would recommend, but it has one minor drawback that takes away a star. The Positives Quality and Stability: The holder feels good quality, and the material (steel) is sturdy. Once placed on the counter, it's stable and adheres well to the surface. Assembly and Use: It was easy to put together; just read the instruction manual. I confirm that it works well even with large paper towel rolls. Furthermore, it's not difficult to change the roll at all. The Drawback The only problem is the small mechanism that's supposed to adjust and hold the roll (the piece that prevents it from twisting too much). As the paper gets used up, this piece doesn't do its job properly, and the paper unwinds more than it should. Conclusion: If you're looking for a modern, stable, and well-made holder for your kitchen, this is excellent. Just keep in mind that the adjuster isn't the best, but other than that, it does its job perfectly.
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Patty C
Phoenix, US
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Durable and nice look
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Nice quality and nice look for our kitchen
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K. K.
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Classic holder keeps paper towels in place in a breeze.
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This classic paper towel holder works perfectly. I had constantly unrolling paper towels in the breeze. This holder keeps everything in place now. So nice. Plus, it has a sleek, uncluttered design. I’m very pleased.
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Terry Anne
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Only holds towels in place when it is full or 1/2 full
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If you are buying this for the feature of holding the paper towels in place so you can just rip one, I think you will be disappointed. Once the roll becomes smaller (and I tried changing the arm) the arm does not touch the towels. I do like the firm grip on the counter. My other dissatisfaction is the base gets water spots. Being near the sink this happens frequently. It does its job and is attractive.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026

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