Kokoro Yoga: Maximize Your Human Potential and Develop the Spirit of a Warrior--the SEALfit Way: Maximize your human potential and develop the spirit of a warrior Paperback – April 12, 2016

First off, I have to say that this is a fantastic (Kokoro Yoga: Maximize your human potential and develop the spirt of a warrior by Mark Divine and Catherine Divine) book. As a lifetime student (and teacher) of numerous martial art systems (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate-Do, Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Target focus Training, Combatives) I am always seeing unique and innovative physical fitness routines.Even though I am a senior in my 70s I have always lived my life as a warrior seeking out challenging fitness programs such as U.S. NAVY SEAL workouts, WOD programs, Circuit programs and numerous other routines to challenge the body and mind. When I saw this book on Amazon I had to have it and I just finished reading this 267 Soft Cover book. I love this book for a lot of reasons. For one thing his life time interest and search for Bushido, the way of the warrior is something I can relate to in my own life. My lifelong interest in developing my mind, body and spirit has been continuing journey. Like the author, I was in the U.S. Navy but unlike him I never became a U.S. Navy SEAL.Yoga was one of the exercise and meditation arts I have always had in my exercise routines and this book really reinforced my interest in this warrior art. This great book is filled with incredible information and detailed advice on numerous warrior spirit (Kokoro) fitness programs. I was amazed at how my own personal every day fitness routine very closely matched some of the ones in this book. Besides a rugged WOD HIIT workout, I always end my workout with more than 50 Yoga postures (asanas) of which most are shown in this fantastic book.This excellent volume is organized into 8 detailed chapters. The first chapter covers the author’s personal experience explaining how he became a U.S. Navy SEAL, and how his journey began with his study of Seido Karate and many other warrior arts. He also explains the various types of Yoga he has studied. The second chapter (The Pursuit of Maximum Human Potential) goes into detail on the philosophy and practice of Yoga. The third chapter explores the strategies of Kokoro Yoga. Tactics involved in the practice of warrior arts are covered in chapter four. Chapter five explains “Core and supporting sequences." The various poses and movements are covered in chapter six. Chapter seven focuses on the “Physiological and psychological benefits of Yoga.” The final chapter gives advice on “developing a personal practice." Do not pass on the Appendix sections because they have a lot of valuable information.This short review cannot do justice to the many positives things you will learn reading this book. If you are seeking a guide to achieve the ultimate in warrior fitness of mind, body and spirit this book is for you. I have created my own daily fitness routine combining the movements and exercises shown in this book. I really loved this book.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Tactical Principles of the most effective combative systems)

I am a Search and Rescue Coxswain in the U.S. Cost Guard and the box breathing exercises in this book have helped me with my job. From performing daily box breathing exercises my para sympathetic nervous system remains more calm when under intense stress or pressure. The box breathing techniques from this book alone are truly game changing. It honestly works.I follow Mark Divine and have read his WOS and Unbeatable Mind books. This book takes some of the breathing, meditation and visualization exercises from his previous books then adds the yoga aspect as well. I am fairly new to yoga so understanding and performing some of the poses are a little difficult...but fun. The free hour plus video you get with this book is a huge help (go to his website and put order # in). Like his other books, in order to receive the full benefits you have to put in the work. This isn't a quick easy read and then you get it type book. It will take some time and practice to get it down. I've already tabbed out certain sections of the book for quick reference. My goal is to learn all the sequences by heart and not have to use the book. The one thing I would suggest is that Mark makes a tutorial video on all the poses that are in this book. The hour video that you get if you purchase this book does help some. Or even better a video for each sequence. I would seriously pay for that. (hint hint).Commander Divine, if you read your reviews, I want to thank you for all that you have taught me. Even though we haven't met, I consider you a mentor in my life. I am extremely grateful for all that I have learned from you. One of my goals in life is to attend your 200 hour RYT Kokoro Yoga course. I have 7 more years to get my "twenty", retire as Chief and would like to start teaching your work on base and somehow get this implemented into the Coast Guard training regemin. Because of your books, this will happen one day. Thank you.V/rBM1

Mark Divine manages to encapsulate literally everything that one could ever need to know about developing a great life within the chapters of this book. From philosophy to practical application, it's all here. Now, that said, the sequences themselves are awkwardly structured, with the diagrams on one chapter, and descriptions/instructions on another. It would've been nice to have the fundamental postures preceding the sequences, and the sequences with instructions on the same chapter, but aside from that, well, read the title.

I've been a runner my whole life and have been looking to try something different. I've been told by countless people that yoga was the way to go. I found this book in my search of yoga books and I'm so glad I did! I've enjoyed reading Mark Divine's back story and how he got into the practice of yoga. I also like that he emphasizes that yoga is not just exercise for the body but for the mind and spirit. I've found that box breathing has really helped me to focus and center myself. The pictures of each pose are super helpful too.

I value everything that Mark Divine has produced. His books help me keep looking forward and pushing through, while understanding when I'm dealing with good stress versus unnecessary stress. Unfortunately, I found that the kindle layout for this book to be poor and hard to follow with the photographs. Hopefully there will be an update that improves this book to the quality of all the other Unbeatable Mind products.