The Yoga Mamas: 7

The Yoga Mamas more than entertains on an afternoon beachside, it puts the spotlight on being pregnant and raising kids - tackling even the grunt work with a sense of humor. Reading The Yoga Mamas made me face my own fear that my hard-working husband in the office will hardly get involved until our children are old enough to read The Wall Street Journal. But in the end Stewart had me laughing; The Yoga Mamas embraces the pleasures of having kids. Starting with pregnancy, going straight into childbirth and all the diapers that follow, five women's stories woven together unravel the complicated lies we tell ourselves to make it from one day to the next before coming to a heartwarming end.

I picked up The Yoga Mamas because the theme seemed relevant and it looked like fun summer reading - but I soon found that there is alot more to this book beneath the surface. The story is laced with so many insights about New York life, social class, playground politics, husband-wife dynamics, and more. The writing is crisp, funny and smart, and the characters are cleverly crafted. I was immediately drawn into the dilemmas of these extraordinary Yoga Mamas - Susan, the socialite with the mysteriously absent husband; Gigi, the social climber from Queens; Isla, the Spanish supermodel constantly at war with her Italian boyfriend; Margaret, the single high-powered lawyer; and Laura, the narrator-freelancer who is surprised to find that she has something in common with these privileged women. The story traces the social pressures, the well-kept secrets and the bizarre everyday encounters that could only happen in Manhattan - but are somehow instantly recognizable. Author Katherine Stewart clearly has affection for her characters and a humorous way of making them seem both wacky and lovable. I have to admit that more than once I painfully recognized myself (or my friends) in how they dealt with the demands of new motherhood. Especially poignant was Laura's extreme frustration with her absent-minded husband - the book describes in comic relief how he decides to take up learning Latin, just when the dishes and diapers are piling up. The book is very hard to put down - I read it in two days. But its exploration of new motherhood, female competition and unexpected friendship stuck with me long after I'd closed the back cover.

The Yoga Mamas is a tale of five hip Manhattanite moms who meet in a prenatal yoga class. There's Gigi, the ex-party girl; Margaret, the corporate lawyer; Isla, the glamorous model; Susan, the socialite; and Laura, the narrator-and the least rich of this Prada-clad bunch. While initially you may want to dislike these seemingly spoiled women, Stewart makes it impossible. Sure, there's a sorority feel to this group-but without the pretentious stereotypical behavior. This is a comical, warm and funny story about forming unexpected friendships, and bonding over shared secrets. Stewart has a fresh and witty voice and her characters are well developed. I could find a piece of myself in each of them-and I'm sure you'll be able to as well. The plot also touches on the joys (and frustrations!) of first-time motherhood, and how it can change you, as well as the relationship with your significant other. I really felt like a voyeur into their marriages-some of which I was glad not to be in! Life may throw them curve balls, but these women are able to stay "balanced" because they have each other to lean on-not just because they're yogis! I couldn't put this book down and it made my three-hour commute go by super quick-which is a major feat. :-) I was sad when the novel ended, and hope that Stewart comes out with an equally clever and compelling read soon!

This book is absolutely adorable, smart, and funny! I enjoyed it immensely and feel that most any female would as well. It is a great story of friendship, and bonding that anyone can relate to. I was laughing out loud and hoping for the best for these wonderful characters, I couldn't help become attached too! Overall, an intelligent, funny, feel good story about the modern mom! Be sure to check it out!

You will be laughing internally and crying out loud by the end of this wonderfully unexpected tale of what it is like to start a family in NYC. Each chapter is more captivating then the next. You will truly feel like you know the characters and perhaps they will know you. Another brand of satire and wit that New Yorkers could use. I loved every page !