Katy Bowman

4.5 stars

I love Katy Bowman! This book is fascinating - it's probably not overstating to say that it's life-changing! I'd recommend it to anyone, since the material in it literally applies to everyone.

Note for the Christians: There are a few references to evolution, though they are easy to discern and honestly didn't change the implications of the book's thesis.

Why I didn't give it 5 stars: There is a lot of technical writing spread throughout (as it applies to the human body) and I think Bowman did her best in describing everything in great detail to be as specific as possible, particularly when describing the various exercises she prescribes. However, I'm a very visual person, and I just needed more photos. There would typically be one photo for each exercise. I'm the type who needs 2 or 3 - a beginning stance, ending stance, and sometimes the movement in-between - to really know what I'm doing.… (más)

This book by biomechanist Katy Bowman is more philosophical than her previous books, which included more nitty-gritty details and science (there is some of that here, still, just not nearly as much). This one goes beyond how our movements alter our own bodies and vice-versa and explores how our movement, or lack of it, shapes our societies and environments.

It was a good reminder and an inspiring read, though a bit repetitive at times.

This pretty much sums up the book:

"Sedentarism is very much linked to consumerism, materialism, colonialism, and the destruction of the planet. If you're not moving, someone else is moving for you, either directly, or indirectly by making STUFF to make not moving easier on you." (p 10)… (más)

This was absolutely great! It was a very quick, easy read (though it took me a while to get through because I was sick). The information was incredibly helpful, and I had lots of "aha!" moments.

One of my complaints would be the title (I wish it wasn't directed toward women, because the actual book really isn't). The other is that I wish it had shown pictures of some of the various "disorders" (such as a bunion), as I'm very visual. She described them, but a picture is worth a thousand words and all that. There are plenty of pictures when it comes to the "exercises" section, so that was good.

All in all, I would recommend this to everyone... literally, everyone. (And I have been! Everyone I've talked to in the last week has heard about something I learned from the book. ;) )… (más)