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William Broad, science writer for the Times, has twice shared the Pulitzer Prize. He lives in the New York City area. (Publisher Provided) William J. Broad received a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1977. He was a reporter for Science magazine from 1978 to 1982. He has been mostra'n més working at The New York Times since 1983. He and his New York Times colleagues won a Pulitzer Prize in 1986 for their disclosures on space weapons and in 1987 for the investigation into Challenger explosion. They also won a DuPont Award from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 2007 for the documentary: Nuclear Jihad: Can Terrorists Get the Bomb? He has written several books including Betrayers of the Truth, Teller's War: The Top-Secret Story Behind the Star Wars Deception, The Universe Below: Discovering the Secrets of the Deep Sea, The Oracle, and The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards. His book Germs: Biological Weapons and America's Secret War became the basis for a documentary on germ terrorism, which won an Emmy in 2002. (Bowker Author Biography) mostra'n menys

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Must read for yoga-fanatics. Some section were very insightful, some were a bit more fluffy than I expected from a science journalist. Three and a half star.
 
Marcat
jd7h | Hi ha 17 ressenyes més | Feb 18, 2024 |
'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

In this remarkable book about yoga, William Broad, a lifelong pracitioner, shows us that uncommon states are integral to a hidden world of risk and reward that lies beneath clouds of myth, superstition, and hype.

Five years in the making, 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 what's real and shows what's illusory, describes what's uplifting and beneficial and what's flaky and dangeous-and why. Broad illuminates how yoga can lift moods and inspire creativity. He exposes moves that can cripple and kill. As science often does, this groundbreaking book also reveals mysteries. It presents a fascinating body of evidence that raises questions abut whether humans have latent capabilities for entering states of suspended animation and unremitting sexual bliss.

The Science of Yoga takes us on a riveting tour of unknown yoga that goes from old archives in Calcutta to the world capitals of medical research, from storied ashrams to spotless laboratories, from sweaty yoga studios with master teachers to the cozy offices of yoga healers. Broad unveils a burgeoning global industry that attracts not only curous scientists but true believers and charismatic hustlers. In the end, he shatters myths, lays out unexpected benefits, and offers a compelling vision of how the ancient practice can be improved.

William J. Broad has practiced yoga since 1970. A senior wirter at The New York Times, he has won every major award inprint and television as a science journalist. With Times colleagues, he has wice won the Pulitzer Prize, as well as an Emmy and a duPont. He is the author or coauthor of seven books, including Germs: Biological Weapons and America's Secret War (Simon & Schuster, 2001), a number one New York Times bestseller.

'William Broad is optimistic and hopeful in pointing the away to the future of yoga 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 abut what youga 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

'The Science of Yoga offers a riveting much-needed clear-eyed look at the yoga mystique. In this investigation, science journalist William Broad pulls back 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

'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 mind-blowing insights.'-Priscilla Warner, author of Learning to Breathe: My Yearlong Quest to Bring Calm to My Life and coauthor of The Faith Club

'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. Brad has not only thoroughly researched his topic, he has lived it.'-Alan Lightman, author of Einstein's Dreams

Contents

List of illustrations
Main characters
Styles of yoga
Chronology
Prologue
I Health
II Fit perfection
III Moods
IV Risk of injury
V Healing
VI Divine sex
VII Muse
Epilogue
Further reading
Notes
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Index
… (més)
 
Marcat
AikiBib | Hi ha 17 ressenyes més | May 29, 2022 |
The book started out strong and talked about a lot of studies of various sizes, and took us quickly through the history of Yoga. Then in the last 1.5 chapters (maybe the publishers were rushing him?) he threw the scientific premise out the window and went into talking about personal experiences of various people. For example, the man who claimed to have magically learned German without ever having seen or heard it. Not only did he forget that the book was supposed to be about science at this point, he also forgot it was supposed to be about Yoga!

Despite this, I really enjoyed most of this book, and it really instilled in me the importance of putting ego and ambition aside and not trying to do poses I'm not ready for.

I recommend it to Yoga fans, I'm sure it would be boring to anyone else.

Summary of scientific findings:


Yoga can:

Slow your heart
Slow your metabolism
Reduce levels of stress and anxiety
Treat depression
Cause serious injuries and even death (especially certain poses)
Improve your sex life (It started as a branch of Tantra)
Treat some injuries (according to some Yoga Therapist MDs)
Restore movement in some parts of the body (according to some Yoga Therapist MDs)
Increase strength and flexibility

Yoga can't:

Prevent / cure cancer
Make you levitate
Stop your heart
Give you a proper cardio work out (At least not Sun Salutations and not Ashtanga yoga )


Finally, I want to point out that no type of physical exercise helps you lose weight, because I think that is a totally unfair criticism to lob solely at Yoga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCtn4Ap8kDM
… (més)
 
Marcat
RebeccaBooks | Hi ha 17 ressenyes més | Sep 16, 2021 |

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Obres
15
També de
3
Membres
1,678
Popularitat
#15,319
Valoració
½ 3.7
Ressenyes
36
ISBN
43
Llengües
7

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