May I Be Happy: A Memoir of Love, Yoga, and Changing My Mind (Dutton), by Cyndi Lee

Yoga students are often motivated and even inspired by watching teachers twist their strong bodies into pretzeled poses. In her new memoir, May I Be Happy, yoga guru Cyndi Lee may surprise yogis as she pulls back the curtain to share deep-seated insecurities about her body.

Lee has been practicing yoga since 1972 and now leads classes, teacher training sessions and special workshops worldwide. She has written other yoga books, but this time, she gets personal.

Recently, Lee realized it was challenging to preach to students about personal growth when she was stuck herself. Yoga unites body and mind, and while she led meditations and could do a headstand, Lees lifelong negative body image plagued her.

Her self-worth was wrapped up in her appearance, and although she was never what most would consider overweight, she never quite met her own expectations. The book follows her journey to discover the roots of her self-judgment, and the tools to get past it.

She shares intimate details of her life, which draws in readers. Her dancing and choreography experience in the 1980s for stars like Cyndi Lauper put her body under a microscope and in competition with many thin peers.

Lees visits with her mother who suffers from dementia spark memories of when she first became aware of her body and perceived its imperfections.

Lee consults health experts and spiritual leaders, practices meditation, studies Buddhism and tries positive affirmations. She meets with her friend, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, once famous for her sexy body. Now 54, Curtis body has changed, but she offers Lee advice on acceptance.

The rest is here:
Yoga teacher reveals insecurities in 'Memoir'