The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards

(Paperback)

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A lead science writer for The New York Timesand lifelong yoga practitionerexamines centuries of history and research to scrutinize the claims made about yoga for health, fitness, emotional wellbeing, sex, weight loss, healing, and creativity. He reveals what is real and what is illusory, in the process exposing moves that can harm or even kill. A New York Times bestseller.

The Science of Yoga draws on more than a century of painstaking research to present the first impartial evaluation of a practice thousands of years old. It celebrates whats real and shows whats illusory, describes whats uplifting and beneficial and whats flaky and dangerousand why. Broad unveils a burgeoning global industry that attracts not only curious scientists but true believers and charismatic hustlers. He shatters myths, lays out unexpected benefits, and offers a compelling vision of how the ancient practice can be improved.

Reviews

""The Science of Yoga" offers a riveting, much-needed, clear-eyed look at the yoga mystique. In this investigation, science journalist William Broad pullsback the curtain on the little-discussed world of yoga injuries and risks, while setting the record straight about the numerous potential benefits. Downward dog will never look the same."

--Daniel Goleman, author of "Emotional Intelligence"

"After reading "The Science of Yoga", I am even more awed by the magnificent complexities of the human body and mind, and astonished that we can exert so much control over this invisible realm through the practice of yoga. Broad has not only thoroughly researched his topic, he has lived it."

--Alan Lightman, author of "Einstein's Dreams"

"Dramatic...a flair for provocation...valuable."

--"Publishers Weekly"

"If this book doesn't motivate you to practice yoga, nothing will. Broad sheds light on yoga's health benefits and hoaxes, covering everything from headstands to hypertension, the vagus nerve to the YogaButt. Finally I understand why I feel so good when I do yoga. His lively exploration of its evolution from Benares to Beverly Hills flows like any great practice should - with intelligence, good humor and some mindblowing insights."

--Priscilla Warner, author of "Learning to Breathe - My Yearlong Quest to Bring Calm to My Life" and co-author of "The Faith Club"""

"In this compelling work of investigative journalism, William Broad exposes the "scientific" claims made about yoga--from its much-vaunted healing powers to yogasms--to scientific scrutiny. "The Science of Yoga" is a wonderful read that any yoga practitioner thirsting for authenticity should study carefully before suiting up."

--David Gordon White, author of "Kiss of the Yogini"

"William Broad is optimistic and hopeful in pointing the way to its future as a major force in preventing and treating disease."

--Gail Sheehy, author of "Passages in Caregiving"

"Yoga, an ancient practice with millions of modern practitioners, has been the subject of overheated speculation and grandiose claims; it has been dismissed without warrant as well, underappreciated by some who might well benefit from it. "The Science of Yoga" is a lucid and long overdue account of what scientists have found in their attempts to ferret out the truth about what yoga can and cannot do to heal and make better the body and mind. It is a fascinating and important book."

--Kay Redfield Jamison, author of "An Unquiet Mind"and "Touched With Fire "

Author Bio

William J. Broad has practiced yoga since 1970. A bestselling author and senior writer at The New York Times, he has won every major award in print and television during more than thirty years as a science journalist. With New York Times colleagues, he has twice won the Pulitzer Prize, as well as an Emmy Award and a DuPont. He is the author or coauthor of seven books, including Germs: Biological Weapons and Americas Secret War, a #1 New York Times bestseller.