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Claire Dederer
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Poser: My Life in Twenty-three Yoga Poses Kindle Edition

by Claire Dederer (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 303 ratings
Editors' pick Best Biographies & Memoirs

“The long-awaited funny, smart, clear-headed, thoughtful, truthful, and inspiring yoga memoir. To simplify my praise: I absolutely loved this book.” —Elizabeth Gilbert, #1 New York Times–bestselling author

Ten years ago, Claire Dederer threw her back out breastfeeding her baby daughter. Told to try yoga by everyone from the woman behind the counter at the co-op to the homeless guy on the corner, she signed up for her first class. She fell madly in love.

Over the next decade, she would tackle triangle, wheel, and the dreaded crow, becoming fast friends with some poses and developing long-standing feuds with others. At the same time, she found herself confronting the forces that shaped her generation. Daughters of women who ran away to find themselves and made a few messes along the way, Dederer and her peers grew up determined to be good, good, good—even if this meant feeling hemmed in by the smugness of their organic-buying, attachment-parenting, anxiously conscientious little world. Yoga seemed to fit right into this virtuous program, but to her surprise, Dederer found that the deeper she went into the poses, the more they tested her most basic ideas of what makes a good mother, daughter, friend, wife—and the more they made her want something a little less tidy, a little more improvisational. Less goodness, more joy.

Poser is unlike any other book about yoga you will read—because it is actually a book about life. Witty and heartfelt, sharp and irreverent, Poser is for anyone who has ever tried to stand on their head while keeping both feet on the ground.

“A powerful, honest, ruefully funny memoir.” —The New York Times Book Review

 

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  1. Print length
    347 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Farrar, Straus and Giroux
  4. Publication date
    December 21, 2010
  5. File size
    2.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

From Bookmarks Magazine

All of the reviewers enjoyed Poser, but they may have been less than effusive with their praise because they spent so much time explaining what the book was not—not a yoga guide, not a self-help book, not as gimmicky as its title would seem to indicate, not a conventional memoir. That said, Poser does contain scant elements of each, with passages on feminism, attachment parenting, and the history of yoga thrown in. But all that negation suggests that Dederer has achieved something like the self-actualization yoga promises, all without taking herself too seriously. In the end, reviewers seemed to say, the voice of this book is truly Dederer’s own, and more than sufficient.

From Booklist

Dederer’s humor is tangy and precision-aimed; her targets are the sine qua non of memoirs: mothers and marriage. A book reviewer and social critic with bylines in the New York Times, Slate, and Vogue, Dederer acidly deconstructs hip, politically correct Seattle, a very different place than the city she grew up in during the 1970s. As she looks back to her ambiguous family situation––her mother fell in love with a hippie but stayed married to, though separated from, her remarkably tolerant husband––Dederer contrasts women’s flight from the soul-shriveling domesticity of that era with the rise of the super-stressed-out supermom, as women feel compelled to do everything perfectly in every sphere. As Dederer entered the precinct of motherhood, she took up yoga, the inspiration for this cleverly yogacentric memoir. If only it wasn’t repetitive and disingenuous, making her a bit of a poseur as well as a poser. Still, Dederer writes superbly and offers sharp insights into family dynamics as well as hatha yoga’s impact on American life, the focus of a growing number of groundbreaking books. --Donna Seaman

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0044782C8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux; Reprint edition (December 21, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 21, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 347 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1408822040
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 303 ratings

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Claire Dederer

Claire Dederer

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
303 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a great vacation read with honest writing that explores life experiences. They appreciate its funny commentary, yoga content, and knack for describing poses, with one customer noting the clever pose names in the chapters. The book receives positive feedback for its authenticity, readability, and ease of use, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced readers.

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40 customers mention "Readability"35 positive5 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a great vacation read and fun to read, with one customer noting it's better and funnier than your average yoga book.

"...I know that the ease with which I could download and immediately begin reading this book, encouraged me to make the decision to buy the book...." Read more

"...Lovely book." Read more

"...Loved this book and I hope Claire Dederer writes LOTS more. She's a great voice for our age." Read more

"I thought this was a down to earth enjoyable read. Dederer's style of writing is casual, comfortable and easy...." Read more

25 customers mention "Writing style"25 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, praising the author's honest storytelling and ability to communicate with brevity and grace.

"...to say things in just the right way to describe and communicate with brevity and grace...." Read more

"...sense of wonder about her yoga practice and the honesty with which she told her story. Lovely book." Read more

"...Of course the whole thing is narrated through her ongoing yoga practice, which is a story in itself, from those first time new person jitters to..." Read more

"...That said, Claire can write, and has moments of transcendence in which she seems to understand and convey with words of subtlety and power that she..." Read more

19 customers mention "Insight"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and smart, with one customer noting how it explores life experiences and another mentioning its moments of transcendence.

"Claire Dederer has written a wonderful book full of witty and insightful comments about her generation of working mothers...." Read more

"...life I learned to appreciate her questioning mind, her spirited sense of wonder about her yoga practice and the honesty with which she told her story..." Read more

"...Very brave, honest, insightful and clever. I'd like to find her magazine columns and read her more often." Read more

"...That said, Claire can write, and has moments of transcendence in which she seems to understand and convey with words of subtlety and power that she..." Read more

16 customers mention "Humor"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it both funny and thoughtful, with one customer noting the author's self-deprecating voice.

"Claire Dederer has written a wonderful book full of witty and insightful comments about her generation of working mothers...." Read more

"...of transcendence in which she seems to understand and convey with words of subtlety and power that she was shortchanged...." Read more

"...In clean, clear, funny and fantastically honest prose, Dederer brings us into the world of the white, middle class woman who is simply (!)..." Read more

"Poser is a thoughtful, witty, and engaging book...." Read more

16 customers mention "Yoga content"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the yoga content of the book, with one mentioning that the chapters have clever pose names.

"...The book is ostensibly about yoga, and how it helps her to shine light into areas of her life that she has not been willing to explore deeply before...." Read more

"...Dederer's self deprecating style and "real" attitude toward yoga was refreshing. It's o.k...." Read more

"Really enjoyed the yoga journey of the author. Recommended for anyone doing yoga, Beginner or experienced! my whole yoga group read this" Read more

"...And how she weaves in family dysfunction and yoga is quite entertaining...." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with several noting the author's knack for describing yoga poses, and one customer mentioning how it kept their attention through to the end.

"...I really enjoyed the combination of how she picks up yoga and learns different poses, using the pose metaphor for what was going on in her life, the..." Read more

"Dederer's Poser is funny, insightful and engaging...." Read more

""Chick Lit," no doubt, but smart and relevant. Kept my attention through to the end, and even though I didn't learn any life lessons I enjoyed Claire..." Read more

"...student, I enjoyed reading about her class experiences and descriptions of the poses...." Read more

5 customers mention "Authenticity"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book.

"...Very brave, honest, insightful and clever. I'd like to find her magazine columns and read her more often." Read more

"...I hope to see more from Claire Dederer down the line. She is an honest and talented writer." Read more

"Honest and funny" Read more

"Honest, Compelling and Brave..." Read more

5 customers mention "Ease of use"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to use, with one mentioning it's suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

"...I know that the ease with which I could download and immediately begin reading this book, encouraged me to make the decision to buy the book...." Read more

"...Dederer's style of writing is casual, comfortable and easy. I liked how she weaved her life experiences into the different yoga poses...." Read more

"...Recommended for anyone doing yoga, Beginner or experienced! my whole yoga group read this" Read more

"...yoga enthusiast, I truly enjoyed the yoga poses and the challenge of getting into each one...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindred Spirit
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
    Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Claire Dederer has written a wonderful book full of witty and insightful comments about her generation of working mothers. She's a bit younger than I am, from what I can tell, but I, as a trailblazer I guess, experienced so many of the same aspirations, pressures, frustrations and somewhat cynical assesments. At times I felt like she knew exactly what was in my head as well during the classic parenthood moments. Her description of the mothers at the co-op preschool - all the mothers in their Dankso shoes - was a chapter out of my life as well. There were so many 'laugh out loud' clever descriptions of everyday moments. But beyond my connection with her outlook on life, she is a skilled and gifted writer. She has a keen ability to say things in just the right way to describe and communicate with brevity and grace. I glanced at some of the reviews that complain that 'this is not a book about yoga' with which I disagree but whether it is or isn't, it is a wonderful book about a contemporary woman's life. And in fact, I think she does an absolutely wonderful job of describing the role of yoga in the life of the young, well meaning surburban mother. If you wonder why there is an explosion of yoga studios on every corner, this book can help you understand why. If you are looking for some sort of 'how to' in this book, well you are missing the point.

    I hope to see this author continue her writing career and continue to delight her readers with her reflections on life. And by the way, this was the first book I read on my brand new Kindle which I am now convinced is a very good thing for readers and writers alike. Not so sure about the impact on book stores but technology marches ahead and we have to adapt. I know that the ease with which I could download and immediately begin reading this book, encouraged me to make the decision to buy the book. Besides, I'm tired of buying bookcases or carting books off to used book sales.

    Again, I encourage readers to experience this book. Maybe it has more to say to women than men but for any mom who is determinded to do all the right things raising her kids, this book will ring true.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mimm Patterson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Honest, Compelling and Brave
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I resisted liking her perhaps because Clair's journey felt too familiar. She reminded me too much of myself. But as she moved through life I learned to appreciate her questioning mind, her spirited sense of wonder about her yoga practice and the honesty with which she told her story. Lovely book.
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  • Stephenie L. Falcone
    5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, funny, entertaining, for the modern wife and mother
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    She talks about trying so hard to be the perfect mom in todays world of organic foods and coop preschools, competing with other moms for perfection while being each other's support system, the strange balance of status in the modern marriage, with a great man but who's still just a man and more sensitive than we think they are. She struggles with issues of her past and her childhood, with her mother in particular, and her mother's wild ways of the 70's and how disturbing that was. Then there's a major life change in the middle of the book, a move to the mountains the brings catharsis and comfort. Of course the whole thing is narrated through her ongoing yoga practice, which is a story in itself, from those first time new person jitters to the obsessiveness of a regular, grappling with the religious side of yoga as a white person, trying to understand the concepts while mastering the poses, finding out that our western minds aren't set up for contentment and stillness. I see a lot of myself in her and I laughed out loud almost every time I picked it up. Plus what courage to write autobiographically, for friends and family and children all to see. Very brave, honest, insightful and clever. I'd like to find her magazine columns and read her more often.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • A. colbert
    3.0 out of 5 stars Attachment Issues
    Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Claire Dederer hand shakes so badly that she builds her marriage around a means to keep it from interfering with her wedding pageant. I say "pageant" because, by her own admission, she is more worried about appearing neurotic, than she is about causing her guests to die of pneumonia. This is only one instance among many when she "poses" as someone she is not. The book is ostensibly about yoga, and how it helps her to shine light into areas of her life that she has not been willing to explore deeply before. Interestingly, her efforts to be a disciplined and committed mother in a social milieux in which attachment parenting is heightened to an art form, serves only to uncover her deep conflict over being a mother. I winced as i read her description of her first child as a burdensome chub who causes her excrutiating back pains, only to find out that she had been an overweight, neglected child, whose mother chose freedom over domesticity.Her second child, golden curls and all, reminds her of her beloved brother, who was her father's favorite, and her only secure childhood attachment, surrounded as she was by adults who refused to grow up. Curiously, she seems to be unaware of the fact that the reader finds her maddeningly transparent and also fatally self absorbed.

    I have a hunch her editor understood that the most interesting part of this story was that Claire is mostly a phony, and chose the title for her. That said, Claire can write, and has moments of transcendence in which she seems to understand and convey with words of subtlety and power that she was shortchanged. Her writing is strong enough that I will keep an eye out for her next work, hoping she can get rid of the baggage and write a book of greater honesty that she is clearly capable of.

    And of course, if yoga is your thing, you will feel cheated, too. Its an intrusive writing device which only detracts from what could have been a memoir of distinction.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • heather r.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Canada on February 6, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Great book
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  • jac
    4.0 out of 5 stars great book for mothers
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book and found it both interesting and easy to read.
    Highly recommended as a book to take on holiday as it is not taxing but manages to hold the readers attention throughout.
    I finished it quickly as I was drawn in by the main character. It also made me realise I have to start doing yoga again.
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  • Trinny
    3.0 out of 5 stars a 3 star review!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This is my first 3 star review! I am usually compelled to write reviews that are either titled "I LOVE IT!" or I HATE IT!, but this book was so nearly there, but then not quite. Its all a bit blah and meh and bland, and perhaps its because I am just too far removed from the North Seattle community she describes and which obviously shaped her life.... I too am a mum, I too like yoga, I too write stuff for a living. But the book didn't manage to draw me in and make me love it. Sorry!
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  • ailishb
    4.0 out of 5 stars Liked this book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Liked this book, good insight into motherhood, family life and the ups and downs of marital bliss. Nice writing style that's easy to get into and some good take home lessons on balancing your life and achieving contentment. Thought the descriptions of yoga was a bit forced and ironically could have cut a lot of the yoga parts!
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  • Courtney
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not overly exciting
    Reviewed in Canada on April 17, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This book was okay. Not outstanding. You will have a better understanding and appreciation for this book if you know your yoga poses.
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