“How can I help others grow and transform if I haven’t done it myself  ?” Cyndi Lee asks in the opening pages of her memoir, May I Be Happy, where she makes a surprising revelation. In spite of her success in physically demanding professions—dancer, choreographer, and yoga teacher—Lee was caught in a lifelong cycle of repetitive self-judgment about her body, which was infecting her closest relationships—including her relationship with herself. Inspired by the honesty and vulnerability of her students, Lee embarked on a journey of self-discovery that led her outward—from the sacred sites of the parched Indian countryside to the center of the 2011 earthquake in Japan—and inward, to seek the counsel of knowing women, friends and strangers both. Author and actress Jamie Lee Curtis, visionary health pioneer Dr. Christiane Northrup, and a founder of the self-help movement, Louise Hay, each have wisdom to impart. Applying the ancient Buddhist practice of loving-kindness meditation—“Normally you do it for others,” a sage scholar advises, “but you must do this for yourself right now”—Lee comes to learn that compassion is the only antidote to hate. With candid, contemplative prose, May I Be Happy gives voice to Lee’s belief that every life arises, abides, and ultimately dissolves. By becoming her own best student, Lee internalizes the strength, stability, and clarity she imparts in her Buddhist-inspired yoga classes.
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"This book is an excellent read if you, like me, need to learn how to not be so hard on yourself. Lee's body image struggle was strikingly and sadly familiar but I walked away from the book feeling renewed. And committed to expanding my yoga practice."
— Jennifer (4 out of 5 stars)
" I didn't finish this... "
— Jen, 1/19/2014" Just ok! Scattered, all over the place with little gems of insight that were wonderful, but few and far between. Didn't really love the character/ writer- it's a memoir. My love of yoga made me pick it up but it was average at best! "
— Roxanne, 1/16/2014" Started out a little rough. She was pretty self depricating but it ended on an extremly positive note. "
— Cnbarrett, 12/19/2013" I liked the book, but it began to drag and become repetitive. I think it could have been shorter or have concentrated on a few other through-lines than just body issues. "
— Jennifer, 12/11/2013" A great book about women with body image issues and some real insight into how to change your thinking. "
— Mara, 12/6/2013" Started out a little slow, but then I started really liking it. Cyndi has a lot of great lessons to teach, and I especially loved the scenes from her yoga classes that were interspersed through the rest of the narrative. "
— Laura, 10/21/2013" Honest and theraputic, a decent self-help book. Was sad though, that she didn't leave her husband. "
— Monet, 9/30/2013" I really wanted to like this book but it was hard to. She seems to be a great business woman and I admire her ability to grow and sustain her Om Yoga empire but she comes across as somewhat entitled, needy and vain. "
— Barbara, 8/17/2013" It is comforting to know that we all at times dislike our bodies and Cyndi Lee helps herself and the reader to find a way to be at peace anyway. A really useful read. "
— Amymercovich, 6/18/2013" Yoga teachers are human. Who knew? "
— Marsha, 5/25/2013" This was a four star book for me because it was pretty fluffy. I think it would be five stars for many people - beginning yogis or people who want simple, powerful lessons. My review will be published by Library Journal. "
— Julie, 4/22/2013Cyndi Lee founded the internationally renowned OM yoga Center in New York City in 1998. She is the author of several books on yoga, including Yoga Body, Buddha Mind, and is a regular contributor to Yoga Journal. Lee and OM yoga have been featured on national television and in print. She lives in New York City.