Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xix
Introduction: Yoga for Healing and Wholeness xxi
Being Healthy Human Beings xxii
The Promise of Yoga in Healing xxv
Part I The Origins and Sources of Yoga Therapy
1 Yoga Sources 3
What Is Yoga? 3
A Very Brief History of Yoga 7
Hatha Yoga 11
2 Ayurvedic Sources 17
The Origins, Sources, and Development of Ayurveda 18
Ayurveda's Underlying Philosophy and Principles 22
Etiology: The Causes of Disease in Ayurvedic Theory 37
3 Modern Medical Science 39
From Mysticism to the Scientific Method 40
Scientific Advances 45
Conclusion 48
4 Integrating the Healing Arts and Sciences 51
The Efficacy and Limitations of Scientific Medicine 52
The Efficacy and Limitations of Holistic Medicine 55
Healing and Curing: Toward an Integrative Approach 59
Integrative Health in Practice 61
Essential Considerations in Health and Healing 69
Part II The Human Bodymind's Major Systems
5 Skin: The Integumentary System 75
The Epidermis, Dermis, and Hypodermis 76
Deep Fascia 78
Common Integumentary Pathologies 78
Cultivating a Healthy Integumentary System 79
6 Bones and Joints: The Skeletal System 83
Bones 84
Joints 86
Joint Stability and Movement 89
Describing Anatomical Direction 92
Movement in Planes of Motion 92
Common Bone and Joint Pathologies 97
Cultivating a Healthy Skeletal System 98
7 Muscles: The Muscular System 99
The Skeletal Muscle 100
The Musculoskeletal System 106
Common Muscular Pathologies 125
Cultivating a Healthy Muscular System 126
8 The Nervous System 127
The Central Nervous System 128
The Peripheral Nervous System 128
Common Neurological Pathologies 130
Cultivating a Healthy Neurological System 132
9 Kinesiology and the Biomechanics of Movement 133
Moving into Stillness 133
The Nature of Human Movement 134
Proprioception and Refined Movement 139
10 Heart and Blood: The Cardiovascular System 143
Heart and Soul 143
The Heart and Circulation 144
Common Heart Pathologies 148
Cultivating a Healthy Heart 149
11 Cleansing and Defending: The Lymphatic System 151
Moving Fluids 152
Lymphoid Tissues and Organs 152
Natural Defense and Healing Systems 153
Common Lymphatic Pathologies 155
Cultivating a Healthy Lymphatic System 156
12 Breathing: The Respiratory System 157
Pneuma and the Exchange of Energy 157
The Organs of Respiration 159
Common Respiratory Pathologies 164
Cultivating a Healthy Respiratory System 166
13 Glands: The Endocrine System 169
Hormones as Communicators 170
Common Endocrine Pathologies 176
Cultivating a Healthy Endocrine System 177
14 Digestion: The Digestive System 179
How Much of You Is What You Eat? 179
The Digestive Tract 180
The Mouth and Throat 180
The Teeth 181
The Stomach 182
The Small Intestine 183
The Large Intestine 184
The Liver and Gallbladder in Digestion 184
The Pancreas 185
Common Digestive Pathologies 185
Cultivating a Healthy Digestive System 186
15 Letting Go: The Urinary System 189
Filtering 190
The Kidneys 190
The Bladder 191
Common Urinary Pathologies 192
Cultivating a Healthy Urinary System 193
16 Ultimate Human Creativity: The Reproductive System 195
Sexual Reproduction 195
The Male Reproductive System 196
The Female Reproductive System 198
Fertilization and Human Development 200
Common Reproductive Pathologies 201
Cultivating a Healthy Reproductive System 202
Part III Helping Others Heal with Yoga
17 Integrity in Yoga Therapy: Teachers, Healers, and Therapists 205
Yoga Therapy as a Clearly Defined Practice 210
18 Communicating and Interacting in Yoga Therapy 217
Guiding Principles in the Healing Relationship: Kriyas and Yamas 217
Principles and Skills for Interacting with Students and Clients 222
Developing Healing Communication Skills 223
Mindful Listening 226
Attentive Presence 227
Directive Dialogue 228
Nondirective Dialogue 229
19 Assessing and Planning Healing Practices 231
Self-and Client-Assessments 231
Interviewing and Assessing 232
Creating a Therapeutic Yoga Practice Treatment Plan 262
Implementing a Therapeutic Yoga Practice Treatment Plan 268
Part IV Yoga Therapy Practices
20 Asana Practices. 273
The Heart of Practicing Yoga Asanas 274
The Bodymind, Somatics, and Personal Choices in Health and Healing 275
The Essential Qualities of Asana Practice 280
Adaptive Practices 285
21 Pranayama Practices 287
The Discovery and Development of Pranayama 288
Cultivating Basic Breath Awareness 290
Refining the Flow of the Breath 291
Deepening and Refining Pranayama Practices 295
22 Meditation Practice 309
Patanjali's Isolation Path: Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana 310
Taking One Seat 313
Six Guided Meditation Techniques 314
When to Meditate 318
Meditating amid the Body and Breath 319
Part V Healing Common Conditions
23 Healing Musculoskeletal Conditions 323
Feet, Ankle, and Lower Leg Issues 324
Knee Issues 350
Upper Leg and Hip Issues 379
Spinal and Neck Conditions 439
Shoulder, Arm, and Hand Conditions 498
24 Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Conditions 551
Cultivating Emotional and Mental Health 553
Alzheimer's Disease 556
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 558
Substance Abuse 560
Depression and Anxiety 564
Insomnia 567
25 Practices for a Healthy Reproductive System 569
Practices for Women's Reproductive System Health 571
Infertility 589
Endometriosis 590
Male Prostatitis 591
Erectile Dysfunction 592
Part VI Epilogue: The Promising Future of Yoga Therapy
Notes 597
Bibliography 631
Index 679