Sanford, Matthew (2006)
Emmaus, PA, Rodale Books

Waking is a memoir by Matthew Sanford, yoga enthusiast and instructor, and founder of the non-profit organization Mind Body Solutions. Matthew is also an individual living with paraplegia as a result of a spinal cord injury sustained at age 13.

This memoir is a poignant and vivid depiction of the hardships and triumphs Matthew went through as he attempted to heal both his body and his life, experiencing numerous setbacks and surgeries along the way. The book breathes new understanding into the experiences of those who have been through physical trauma, lost loved ones, and have had to become re-acquainted with life after paralysis. Aside from compelling and often heart-wrenching recounting of his memories is a thought-provoking and insightful discussion of the mind-body disconnect that Matthew experienced from his traumatic injury as well as throughout his traditional rehabilitation, and the life-changing reintegration of body and mind that he found through exposure to Iyengar yoga. This memoir may be healing for both those who have and have not experienced similar life events, and may leave readers with the impulse to begin listening to the remarkable conversations we have with our bodies throughout every moment of the day.

To order Waking, go to http://matthewsanford.com/ or contact matthewsanfordwaking@hotmail.com or 952-473-3700.

Read more about Matthew in this month's Community Voice at http://www.ncpad.org/485/2369/SCI~-~Reconnecting~the~Body~and~Mind~with~Yoga.