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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Kaci W.
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Goal!
Dog loves it, cute for hockey season!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2026
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Nirpno
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 2
NOT DURABLE, LONG-LASTING, OR USEFUL
Color: A-Navy, Color: A-Navy
I gave this dog toy 2-stars based on my dog toy rating system (DTRS) for “Albert” the Blue Bear! Safety (1-rating): Albert fell apart after 4-hours of use. 1. The ears were chewed off and I was only able to find one of them, which means my dog swallowed the other ear. Very big concern as it depends on how big your dog is to pass this object. The ear is about the size of 1.5-quarters. 2. The tail was almost chewed off entirely and was hanging on by a thread before I threw it out. 3. After the ears came off, the inside foam started to come out, which raised my concern for my dog’s saftey. 4. The entire body was soft and did not cause any harm to teeth, gums, paws, nose, etc. Durability (3-rating): 1. The ears and tail are the weakest parts of Albert as they can easily be chewed off. 2. The body is durable enough to sustain 4-hours of use, as I threw Albert out after the ears and tail were torn off within 4-hours. 3. The small squeaker inside Albert’s belly was broken after 15-minutes of use. Thank Goodness! 4. My next concern was how long the arms and legs would last; TBD! Squeaker (1-rating): 1. Small plastic squeaker, the size of a half-dollar, with a high pitched noise. Fatality (2-rating): 1. Albert was put to rest after 4-hours of use as I was concerned for the safety of my dog with continued use. 2. If Albert didn’t come with ears or a tail, I can only imagine how long he would’ve survived as the material seemed to be durable enough to withstand continued use. In conclusion, “Albert” the Blue Bear is not worth the money for a toy that falls apart after 4-hrs of use and with the concerns of safety. I was surprised that it was only 8-inches tall, next time I’ll confirm the size of the toy before I purchase the next one. About my dog “Cannoli” for comparison: Breed: Blue Healer / Lab mix Weight: 40-lbs Energy Level: High Age: 7-months Chew Rating: Aggressive
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Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2025
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Steven D'Arcangelo
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 3
The dog won!
Color: A-Navy, Color: A-Navy
It’s not indestructible. Wonder if I can get a refund or another toy. It did last longer than most so I give them credit for that!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2026
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Heidi fishel
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Almost good enough
Color: E-Navy+Purple
My dog chewy can rip through anything, even these. I do love the toys they’re great. They’re made with coconut on the inside, but could somebody please!, make a chew toy worthy of my dogs teeth, cause this ain’t it. But it is the strongest so far . I would recommend it. My doodle chewy short for Chewbacca is insane about chewing.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2026
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Robin Weesner
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 3
Could be more durable.
Color: A-Navy
It’s not as durable as I’d hoped. I’ve had to mend it. It’s cute, though, and my dog likes it. He’s an Aussie, so not great bite strength.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2026

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