People have practiced yoga over centuries and across continents; it's considered a religion, a search for transcendence, a way to get in shape, even a cult complete with gurus.
In "The Science of Yoga" science writer William Broad turns his attention to dissecting what about yoga can be confirmed, nailed down and interpreted in a way our Western minds can quantify. Broad has taken yoga since his freshman year in college, and proclaims in the prologue, "Yoga can kill and maim — or save your life and make you feel like a god. That's quite a range. In comparison, it makes other sports and exercises seem like child's play."
An impressive chronology of yoga launches the book, from Indus Valley clay seals portraying figures in yogic postures, c. 2500 BCE, through current studies concluding that yoga lessens spinal deterioration and equals or surpasses exercise in reducing stress, improving balance and diminishing fatigue. I had no idea that such diverse characters as Jung, Thoreau and Gandhi were intrigued by yoga.
So why didn't The New York Times magazine excerpt the chapter from Broad's book on yoga's healing properties? Or his chapter on creativity, detailing how musicians, actors and artists have relied on yoga as muse?
Instead the newspaper featured the book's most sensationalistic chapter in a piece called "How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body." Unfortunately this is also the most dated chapter, citing outmoded teaching methods and an injury that happened in 1973. Its inflammatory language about brain injuries, blinding pain and popped ribs inflamed the yoga world — the blogosphere is still spluttering in self-defense.
But don't judge the book by this article. Broad sums it up himself with a quote about how any practice, when it stems from ego and obsession, can cause problems. And he concludes "The discipline on balance does more good than harm."
Which seems an understatement of his own research. Broad spent time with Manhattan physician Loren Fishman, who before he went on to get his medical degree, studied with Iyengar, the master of yoga alignment. Fishman tells how he healed his torn rotator cuff with yoga while waiting for surgery on it. He says yoga is effective in treating osteoporosis, arthritis and can even prevent bunions. "Without yoga," said Fishman, "I'd lack the most interesting, least expensive and most helpful and versatile form of treatment that I have." When Broad asked him how often he prescribed yoga for his patients, Fishman replied "Twice this morning."
Yoga is nothing if not experiential; it's an inside-out proposition. Broad's exploration of yoga's benefits, hype and hedonism lend a 21st century context to this most ancient of human pursuits. But if you want to understand the joys and depths of yoga, I suggest you put down the book and roll out the mat.
By: Valerie Easton
Source:Seattle Times
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