Review by Choice Review
Although yoga is a virtual icon of classical Indic civilization, the popularity and form of contemporary practice can be dated to the beginning of the 20th century. Since then, hundreds of popular books and technical manuals have been published on the anatomy and physiology of yoga and yogic health and fitness. Coulter's book is by far the most comprehensive and stands as a definitive statement on the relationship between yogic practice and human anatomy, as anatomy is defined in terms of Western biology and physiology. The analysis focuses mainly on the structural and functional effect of yoga postures and breathing techniques on digestion, circulation, flexibility, respiration, and the nervous system. Significantly, the author highlights those features of each system that are affected by yoga practice and provides a technical analysis of how, in each case, beneficial results are achieved. Although invaluable for modern yoga teachers and advanced students, this book is written from the perspective of Western science. Those looking for an analysis of yoga physiology based on a yogic theory of the body will be disappointed, as will those looking for scientific proof of yoga's claims to transcendental enlightenment, based on a yogic theory of functional anatomy. Graduate students through professionals. J. S. Alter University of Pittsburgh
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
