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The practice of yoga is so conventional now that most of us agree that it can benefit our physical and mental state in some way or another. Thirty years ago, we hadn’t heard of all the different types of yoga. Now there are schools in Kundalini, Ashtanga, and Bikram, just to name a few. But you might be wondering which one is best for you. How do you find an instructor or class? And, finally, how can it really help your depression, arthritis, headaches, etc.?
Timothy McCall, M.D., medical editor of the Yoga Journal answers these questions and more in his book, Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing. Dr. McCall takes a sensible approach to yoga and dispels common myths. He maintains that the primary purpose of the yoga postures is not flexibility but to balance the body between flexibility and strength. He stresses that yoga should complement Western medicine and not replace it. He also realizes that people are not perfect, and thus he doesn’t assume that readers will always practice and eat in optimum ways. In fact, he mentions that, in yoga, you can “take what you can use and ignore the rest.” This makes it accessible to even the most stubborn of us—because if you can’t dedicate even twenty minutes a day, at least you can start with a couple of minutes.
This book contains three parts, in addition to comprehensive appendices: Yoga as Medicine (a general overview of the benefits and how to find a therapist), The Practice of Yoga (an overview of the schools of yoga, practice, and finding a teacher), and Yoga Therapy in Action (separate chapters for specific ailments such as asthma, heart disease, IBS, MS, insomnia, and many more.)
Now, if you’re like me, you’ll want to rush to your particular ailment and ignore the rest of the book. But Dr. McCall discourages this, and so do I. The first two chapters provide so much vital information. He warns that those with serious medical conditions should seek one-on-one instruction, as opposed to taking a class. He also defines the terms such as chakras, prana, asana, and their relevance. And he details how to breathe as well as giving tips on meditation techniques, acupressure, and acupuncture.
Once you’re ready to dive into Part Three, you’ll find that the chapters are written by other experts who have experience working with patients with that particular condition. Each chapter is lengthy, but a concluding page of bullet points summarizes major points. Not only do these chapters include foods to eat and lifestyle changes to incorporate, but they also advise that some Western medical practices may be beneficial—such as flu shots, baby aspirin, and, in the case of Menopausal symptoms, maybe even short-term HRT.
The book’s appendices include tips on how to avoid specific yoga injuries. You’ll also find a resource guide that includes related web sites as well as a list of teachers, therapists, and yoga centers. There is also a helpful glossary of Sanskrit terms.
I recommend Yoga as Medicine to anyone—from the novice, who’s just looking into the discipline, to the experienced student who wants to supplement his/her current instruction. This is the most comprehensive book on yoga that I’ve read. Dr. McCall and his contributors are thorough but concise, and they take a practical approach to health. As Dr. McCall acknowledges, we can control our effort but not the result: “Take care of the present, and the future will take care of itself.”
