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The Subtle Body: The Story Of Yoga In America (2010)

by Stefanie Syman(Favorite Author)

3.17 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0374236763 (ISBN13: 9780374236762)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

review 1: I stayed up very late last night to finish this book and although I do regret being tired today I do not regret not having to pick this book up again. I agree with reviewers who thought this read like a dissertation but the omission of dates for some events made it a poor dissertation. Events which were described with phrases similar to "during his stay" or "while he was there" made it impossible for me to integrate information into knowledge I already possessed. Jumping from one individual to another when relating events made it difficult to follow and I found myself having to check back in the text. Now regarding content, I am disappointed in what I feel to be omissions in the history of Yoga in the U.S. For example, Kripalu which began in Philadelphia in the 1960's ... moreand has a thriving retreat in Stockbridge, Mass. today has done a good job of integrating the spiritual aspect of Yoga with the physical. Kripalu has the further distinction of reorganizing and actually strengthening its mission after the founder was charged with improprieties. Also, why was Ram Dass given so much space? He himself has said that he is not a Yogi. I suppose this was to be able to include an entire chapter on psychedelics, which had more to do with Zen than Yoga. What about the growth of therapeutic Yoga? Large investments have been made in hospitals and research centers to study the three limbs of; asana, pranayama and meditation to effect healing and pain management. But this was not mentioned at all. Yoga as alternative medicine is certainly a good example of Yoga being mainstreamed in America. Finally, what was the central thesis? Was it just a survey of Yoga's "story" in America or was it an investigation into the spiritual aspect of Yoga as the title, "The Subtle Body" suggests? Anyway, I finished it. I own and have read and reread numerous books on Yoga many of them excellent references, but this one will not remain in my library. It is going on the free book table at the senior center where all my "Oprah books" go.
review 2: I admit I didn't know much about yoga. But I knew that what we call "yoga" here in the 21st century USA is not what began as an eastern religious practice. How did that come to be? Syman traces the history of yoga and explains the different types of yoga that have developed over the years. It was interesting at the beginning, but the middle felt like a slog. But I now know a lot mor about yoga - and eastern mysticism - than I did when I started. less

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