Physical Disobedience
"Finally—a health and wellness manifesto for the rest of us."
Jessamyn Stanley, author of Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get on the Mat, Love Your Body
Physical Disobedience:
An Unruly Guide to Health & Stamina for the Modern Feminist
By Sarah Hays Coomer
A manual for activism that starts with our most powerful asset—our bodies.
Even as a wave of renewed feminism swells, too many women continue to starve, stuff, overwork, or neglect their bodies in pursuit of paper-thin ideals. "Fitness" has been co-opted by the beauty industry. We associate it with appearance when we should associate it with power.
Grounded in advocacy with a rowdy, accessible spirit, Physical Disobedience asserts that denigrating our bodies is, in practice, an act of submission to inequality. But when we strengthen and celebrate our bodies—taking broad command of our individual physicality—we reclaim our authority and build stamina for the literal work of activism: the protests, community service and emotional resilience it takes to face the news and stay engaged.
Physical Disobedience introduces a breathtaking new perspective on wellness by encouraging nonviolence toward our bodies, revitalizing them through diet and exercise, fashion and social media, alternative therapies, music and motherhood.
The goal is no longer to keep our bodies in check; the goal is to ignite them, to set them free, and have a mighty fine time doing it.
Published by Seal Press/Hachette, 2018
Sarah is donating 10% of her profits from this book to Planned Parenthood and the World Food Programme. For more information click here
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Reviews
“From playground to hospice, Physical Disobedience dives in to the intrinsic value of human bodies at work and at play—championing women's bodies, in particular, as uniquely powerful in their diversity. This book decodes the many ways physiological fluency can support both happiness and progress. A must read for any man or woman who strives to stand on equal footing with everyone, regardless of gender."
Daniel Pink, New York Times bestselling author of WHEN and DRIVE
“Finally—a health and wellness manifesto for the rest of us.”
Jessamyn Stanley, author of Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get on the Mat, Love Your Body
"If you are a woman from 16 to 86 and only have the time to read one self-help, self-improvement book, make it Sarah Hays Coomer's "Physical Disobedience: An Unruly Guide to Health and Stamina for the Modern Feminist"! Exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in tone... "Physical Disobedience" is a life-enhancing, inspired, and inspiring read from cover-to-cover."
Bethany's Bookshelf, Midwest Book Review
"A critically important, exceptionally informative, deftly crafted, impressively insightful book, a must read for every woman of every age who is concerned with their physical appearance. Physical Disobedience is an essential addition to personal, community, and academic libraries."
Midwest Book Review
"There is hope in this book. Physical Disobedience is a dystopian survival guide, a feminist's manual that debunks, redefines and brings true beauty and health into the light."
Mary Gauthier, musician
"Coomer’s prose is inspiring and refreshing... Something special sets Physical Disobedience apart from other self-help books... For women looking to embrace their bodies, Coomer's "unruly" guide is a great place to start."
Booklist
"At times shocking, at times laugh out loud funny, and at times hugely enlightening and insightful, Physical Disobedience will help set you on the right tracks towards health and happiness—and provide you with plenty of practical tips and know-how on how best to stay there.”
Emma-Kate Lidbury, professional triathlete, and six-time Ironman 70.3 champion
"In this spirited mixture of fitness guide and self-help, personal trainer Coomer argues that women can better fight injustice by keeping strong and fit, asserting that 'taking care of our bodies is a form of political action...' A unique and 'unruly' manual for improving both oneself and the world."
Publisher's Weekly
Find your own way to help!
CLICK HERE for a list of resources to get connected with a cause you care about. This list can also be found at the back of Physical Disobedience.