Life's not Yoga

Author: Jacqui Burnett
Publisher: Sophie Blue Press
Reviewer: Beryl Eichenberger
Life’s not Yoga is Jacqui Burnett’s candid memoir of her journey to self -discovery and the real meaning of love and life.
Childhood trauma has led her to the brink, both mentally and physically. The only girl of five siblings, she was born into a God -fearing family where church ruled and any deviation was seen as the way to hell. Judgement day was always near at hand.   Her mother turned a blind eye to her controlling husband’s failings and her brothers were more 

favoured, yet she was the darling of her father, loving him unconditionally. But when the feisty girl challenged him his mood changed and he hurled abuse at her. But still she forgave him. He moved the family often, chasing one deal after another, moving from grand to mediocre to staying with family. When she discovers that he committed insurance fraud – she confronts him, exhorting all the faith teachings that he has laid at her feet – own up and you will be forgiven. The threat of Jacqui exposing him leads to more abuse and the child is marked for ever.
As often happens, a spirited child becomes the target of a parent’s inadequacies resulting in first loving and then abusive behaviour.  Subliminally trying to break the spirit and restore order in the chaotic world of the parent’s making.
So it was in Jacqui Burnett’s case.
Since our first male role model is our father what can we expect from our subsequent male relationships? Always seen through her father’s eyes, Jacqui is never able to view herself objectively but finally she has to face herself with some devastating consequences. Nine near death experiences shape her finding of the truth. As a determined, adventurous young woman she seeks answers in unlikely places, pushing herself beyond the pale as she pieces together the chaos of her early life and her reactions. She takes herself into extreme conditions, testing her endurance to look for answers.
What follows is a roller coaster ride as we experience a life unravelling and a painful reconstruction to a life worth living. The palpable anger that pushes her to action shapes the woman she is today.
Love affairs, success, failure, travel, yoga training (with a very judgemental teacher) move her forward until her final epiphany, when like a butterfly, she emerges stronger and wiser bringing all her experiences together into a comforting quilt of calm, peace and love that she can pay forward. 
That Jacqui loves writing is evident and she pens a spirited and descriptive story that is engaging and thoughtfully crafted. As she bares her soul taking us into the very depths of her confusion and anger, she is brutal in her honesty and candour.  At times it is an uncomfortable read as so much of what she has experienced will resonate.  At others frustrating, as you cry, ‘no, don’t do that again!’ But ultimately it is a forgiving and brave story, with mindfulness and spirituality at its core. It is a true test of courage to face and battle the demons which colour and shape our lives.
Using quotes as openings for each chapter this one by Viktor Frankl sums it up: ‘When we are no longer able to change our situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.’ Jacqui has successfully taken that path. (find her on facebook daretobelove or go to jacquiburnett.com)