Light WatkinsThe Inner Gym: A 30-day workout for strengthening Happiness

The Inner Gym was a complete reset and timely refresh for me. Being an avid meditator and already well disciplined practicer of gratitude, and inner peace, this 30day workout brought things into a new perspective and even helped me see how challenging I was making my own happiness in some areas. The Author Light Watkins is with you throughout , never looses you , makes you accountable but is a strong arm outstretched to guide you through incase you need one. Like having an expert right there with you cutting to the chase vs long handed guidance. The exercises are fun easy and very simple, clearing a path and steady as it shows you the simple steps to a stronger you, just like with an exercise you get stronger and better with time, practice and discipline. The Inner Gym ( Phase 1) is a sure fire win for building a stronger foundation for a price that can't compare to how long it will last , just like a work out you have to do it in order to see a result. Although the book had exercise logs I did not write in them, I wrote on a separate note pad, that was just my personal choice, however the logs in this book don't impose and are strategically placed to record what you need each day and not overwhelming like some other books I've experienced. The pages are filled with simple tips that can make major life improvements, inner and outer gym equivalents ( yes I did jump rope ) ,shows you how to make room even in a super busy schedule for the practice each day and guides you in a very balanced way to channel the challenges of gratitude and day to day acceptance of how you relate to self and to others pretty much removing any excuse for not doing the workout and creating an excuse to do it with enthusiasm so the author is somewhat of a trainer in that sense. Basically the book works on what you need to work on and the read is fun . Each chapter of inner exercises opens with the Authors short and sometimes funny personal experience on the subject of focus and I definitely was not expecting to chuckle here and there in this workout but I did. At first I did not think I needed any happiness strengthening and thats what made the challenge interesting. After the 15th day I was recommending it to friends and family and at the close of the 30 day challenge I can honestly say I see results that I want to keep. I'm grateful for this book, it kicked off my year just right. plus its size and pliancy made it easy for me to carry in my small bag and on non bag days it fit right in my back pocket as we all love books that don't weigh us down. So glad I made the choice to join The Inner Gym! I hope there is a Phase 2 to this book!

After many years of unsuccessful attempts at meditating and wishing I could be "one of those people who could meditate", I've finally reached a breakthrough thanks to Light Watkins and this book. I am now a meditator! And not only am I meditating a little bit everyday now, I'm really looking forward to it and I'm genuinely feeling happier and lighter in my state of being as a result.What makes this book and Light's approach to meditation and strengthening our happiness muscles so fantastic is that he takes away a lot of the "rights, wrongs and rules" many of us have grown accustomed to hearing about meditation. He makes the 30-days of exercises bite-sized and manageable and easy to follow through with. I love that he expands the exercises beyond the meditation itself and incorporates other important concepts like gratitude and patience. I also really enjoyed his personal stories and analogies find him very down-to-earth and relatable both as an author and meditation teacher.Side note: My boyfriend and I went through the book together and were each other's accountability partners - I highly recommend going through the program with a partner so you stick with it! If you successfully complete the 30 days, you really will look forward to meditating on a daily basis from that point forward.

The Inner Gym was a delightful 30-day journey. I learned so much about myself in such a short period of time. I am thankful that Light’s book provided the opportunity for me to daily examine how my happiness level is affected by gratitude and acts of giving. The workout program also illuminated how my lack of patience and resistance can bring my happiness down. But thankfully Light’s book has provided tools to continue increasing joy. Light’s thoughtful personal stories eased me right into valuable teachings that at times have been hard for me to understand in other spiritual classics. His writing and the structure of the book also encouraged me to continue on with the exercises even when I was feeling lazy and resistant to change. This book has helped me move forward in my life in many ways, while also receiving the joyful benefits of freely giving more to others. I highly recommend this book to anyone searching practical ways to increase your happiness on a daily basis.

This guide contains very supportive, realistic strategies if you're interested in being a better person and in working to raise one's vibration. It is very user-friendly and informative. In my line of business as a certified health coach and personal trainer, I would definitely recommend this book as a resource to friends, family and clients who are looking to create a positive lifestyle and especially for those who are working to implement meditation as a daily practice in their lives.

First of all, any book that promotes the writing of ACTUAL handwritten letters has my vote. Receiving freely = jumping rope. Love it. What a simple, clear, illustrative way to explain why it is just as important (if not more important) to be able to receive (a concept that has always made me uncomfortable) as it is to give. Now I get it. And I remember it every day. The Inner Gym is filled with insights and wisdom, and it actually helps you put it all into practice, step-by-step. This book is most helpful if you are willing and ready to put in at least some effort to make real changes in your life, but that's kinda the point! Get out there and DO something to make your life better! I can't wait for part 2.

In this elegant, inspired book, Light Watkins uses the "workout" metaphor, key findings from happiness research and compelling stories to provide a clear simple, practical but also powerful step by step plan for living in the moment, feeling grateful, giving thanks and finding happiness now. The daily routines which this book encourages the reader to adopt through regular practice are a prescription for opening and healing both the heart, and the planet....The evidence is clear....the world would be a better, happier place if more people worked out in "the inner gym"!

This a great, gentle yet powerful way to start meditating and incorporating other happy practices into your life. In 10-20 minutes a day, this book really works.

Gerade der Anfang dieses Buches hat mir sehr gut gefallen, die ersten Übungen haben mich persönlich weiter gebracht und mir neue Perspektiven gezeigt.Zum Ende hin wird der Autor aber sehr "Amerikanisch", Werte die für mich selbstverständlich sind werden als besonders herausgestellt. Hier hat er mich leider verloren.Trotzdem hat es mir sehr gut gefallen das Buch von Anfang bis Ende im vorgegeben Zeitrahmen zu lesen und es hat mir geholfen meinen Tagesablauf so umzustellen, dass ich jetzt jeden einzelnen Tag vor der Arbeit bereits kurz Sport gemacht und meditiert habe. Das war mein Ziel bei der Lektüre, dafür bin ich sehr dankbar. Außerdem kann ich langsam immer mehr Situationen mit einem Lächeln annehmen, ohne mich sofort zu grämen. Ein überaus positiver Nebeneffekt. Ich bin gespannt was ich noch an weiteren positiven Effekten in den kommenden Monaten werde beobachten können und ich bin sicher, dass da noch einiges kommen wird.

I really think that Light Watkins achievement is that he doesn't tell something new, but the way he does is unique. The idea of comparing physical Fitness to your psychological fitness is really compelling. Light's message that happiness has to be exercised is of course based on his training as meditation teacher. I also appreciated how he shares his own eperiences.Although the 30 day programme is really challenging, if you do take it seriously, it is really worth it. Because if you follow all the steps and instructions, you find yourself in a different reality.Light is absolutely right, happiness is no choice, it is hard work. But it is worth every effort and work that everybody loves. I am already looking forward to his next book!

If you do the exercises you will get results. To do so requires determination and perseverance. The science behind the concepts is proven, Light Watkins has organized it so well that step by step anyone can follow and benefit.