书 Book Review | The Science of Yoga
Prior to delving into this book, I expected it to be filled with dry scientific findings, judging solely by its title. However, it pleasantly surprised me with its plethora of captivating stories. William J. Broad's writing is engaging, as he meticulously journeys to meet various scientists, yoga instructors, and physicians. The book comprises a multitude of interviews and personal reflections. Broad endeavors to meet diverse individuals, drawing profound life lessons from their personal narratives. Below are my major impressions of the book - The Science of Yoga:
● It's fascinating to learn about yoga's modernization journey, born out of India's quest for independence from British rule. I was unaware that Hatha yoga's history is intertwined with sexuality; during my time as a student at TU Delft a few years ago, I learned that Hatha is a blend of Sun and Moon, which struck me as poetic at the time.
● I was unaware of the myriad unorthodox characters within the yoga teaching community. Even though yoga is rooted in goodness, many individuals use it as a guise to swindle money and make up things without basis. Take, for example, Payne, the author who wrongly outlines the metabolic changes brought about by yoga in his book, even claiming a Ph.D. title for himself. Ironically, this degree hails from a dubious institution, which is rather comical. Even books published by reputable publishers often contain a considerable amount of rubbish, making it challenging to discern what is trustworthy.
● Furthermore, through reading this book, I came to understand that there is a distinction between a Yoga therapist and a yoga teacher. Prior to reading this book, I had not realized that these were separate roles.
● This book has provided me with a profound understanding of different asanas and their associated risks. It's mind blowing to discover that yoga practice can lead to stroke, highlighting the danger of ego and its impact on the body, contradicting yoga's core values as elucidated in the Living Gita. For me, yoga isn't about achieving perfect alignment but rather mindfulness and listening to the body—it's about compassion. Furthermore, I've learned from other book that it's not advisable to practice yoga immediately after showering, as the warmth from the shower relaxes the muscles, increasing the risk of overstretching, muscle damage, and torn cartilage. This principle aligns with the risks associated with the intense heat of hot yoga classes as mentioned in this book. Having absorbed this information, I'll approach hot yoga with extra caution in the future.
In general, from this book I perceive science's endeavor to comprehend the essence of yoga, however, science operates within the realm of rationality and analysis. In my view, science can never fully unravel the mysteries of yoga, nor can it completely understand the world. Many aspects of the world are ineffable and beyond articulation. Science, as a tool, has its limitations and can only answer questions within the framework of analysis and experimentation. For instance, emotions, intuition and inspiration are beyond the quantification of science. Science is rational, sometimes counterintuitive. To truly understand, one must also rely on intuition and feeling rather than solely on rationality. As for the discoveries of science regarding how yoga relaxes the mind, enhances mental states, and improves mood, these findings are evident to me. Growing up in a Chinese cultural milieu influenced by traditional Chinese medicine which is based on the unity of body, mind, and spirit. Chinese medicine holds the belief that when the body and mind are in a state of peace, health, and equilibrium, the individual is healthy. Any illness signals an underlying issue within the mind; as the saying goes, "a healthy mind leads to a healthy body." For instance, mental stress often leads to stomachache. The state of one's mind affects the body, and vice versa. By relaxing the body, we naturally relax the mind and free the soul, as they are inherently interconnected facets of our being. Yoga embodies this holistic practice. Relax your body & nourish your soul, basically it’s one.
Danyan Liu 刘丹艳
2024 april 26 in Amsterdam
二零二四年四月二十六日