The Science of Yoga

I just finished The Science of Yoga by William J. Broad.  I want to do more yoga!  According to the author, yoga is probably the secret to happiness, better health, incredible sex, and world peace. But what yoga is not, says Mr. Broad, is:  safe; aerobic exercise; or well understood.

This book is probably the definitive voice on the topic. The author carries great credentials, with two Pulitzers and an Emmy in his background. Currently he is a science journalist for the New York Times. He has also practiced yoga for decades. So with my tremendous respect for thorough documentation and reliance on primary sources, I've decided to believe what he writes.

On safety: there is no central database or reporting on yoga injuries as such. But there are many instances of various kinds of injuries from taking things too far. Most disturbingly, the inverted poses and positions that put pressure on the neck can and do lead to strokes, sometimes fatal. Training of yoga instructors is very uneven, and there are no feedback or communications mechanisms to let even conscientious instructors know what is happening elsewhere so they can modify their practices to make them safer. He strongly faults the yoga industry for not facing these issues.

On exercise:  there have been several definitive and rigorous studies measuring what is happening in the body during and after a yoga class, focusing on measuring how much exercise is going on and what kinds of impacts on heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels in the blood are created. It is totally clear: yoga, even sun salutations and other flowing combined movements, are not exercise. Yoga slows metabolism, and the effects linger. All other things being equal, a slower metabolism is likely to result in fewer calories burned in the course of a day.

But all other things are never equal. The stress reduction effects from yoga are likely to be producing so many other health benefits that its clearly worth it.  The strength and flexibility gains are very real as well. It's just not the only exercise you will ever need, despite common claims to the contrary.

If you are interested in yoga, read this book. Most of it explores the positive sides of yoga, and what we know about its mental and physical benefits. The promise of yoga is enormous. Mr. Broad would like to see it expand and blossom in conjunction with science so that it becomes part of mainstream life. And that just might lead to universal happiness and world peace.