It's not surprising that yoga has become a highly popular pastime in 21st-century America. "Recent medical research by well-known clinicians shows that stress is a major factor in causing heart disease, cancer, and a myriad of chronic and acute diseases of today's world," according to author and revered instructor Nischala Joy Devi, who has pioneered yoga programs for heart specialist Dean Ornish and cancer specialist Michael Lerner. "While the stressful events around us may not change, we can learn how to respond quickly to life's difficulties, maintaining our equilibrium and a sense of well-being."
Although the practice of yoga can create this well-being and has even been associated with reversing serious medical conditions such as hypertension and heart disease, Devi never makes grandiose promises. Instead, she shows readers how yoga can be realistically integrated into a contemporary lifestyle. Forget the contorted poses and mysterious religious overtones associated with yoga. Think "attitude adjustments" as Devi offers suggestions for opening the heart, achieving deeper rest and relaxation, breathing more effectively, and learning to meditate. Toward the end she addresses the physical plane with a well-illustrated routine of easy physical poses (asanas) as well as chapters on "Eating for Wholeness" and "Prelude to Sleep." Devi is indeed a masterful yoga teacher. Not only does she blend Eastern philosophy with Western living, she does it in a way that is grounded, approachable, and thoroughly welcoming for people from all walks of life. --Gail Hudson
Review
"Whether you have never practiced yoga and meditation or you practice daily, Nischala Devi will help bring you to the next level. Her extensive knowledge and calming manner come through as beautifully in this book as in person. Nischala offers tools you can use that will benefit you for the rest of your life."
-- Clint Eastwood
" As the caregiver of a cancer survivor, I know firsthand the healing light of Nischala Devi's teachings. Now they come alive for countless others in a book of her distilled experience, beautifully expressed."
-- Gail Sheehy
Review
"Whether you have never practiced yoga and meditation or you practice daily, Nischala Devi will help bring you to the next level. Her extensive knowledge and calming manner come through as beautifully in this book as in person. Nischala offers tools you can use that will benefit you for the rest of your life."
-- Clint Eastwood
" As the caregiver of a cancer survivor, I know firsthand the healing light of Nischala Devi's teachings. Now they come alive for countless others in a book of her distilled experience, beautifully expressed."
-- Gail Sheehy
From the Inside Flap
Stress is now considered the foremost contributor to poor health and a major factor in causing heart disease, cancer, and a myriad of chronic and acute diseases. This book will make yoga a fundamental part of your quest for wellness and well-being, whether you are a novice or a current pactitioner.
Nischala Joy Devi, a pioneer in the field of alternative healing and a renowned yoga expert, has spent years helping people realize the healthful and stress-controlling benefits of yoga. In 1982 she developed yoga-based retreats for Dr. Michael Lerner's now famous Commonweal Cancer Help Program. That same year Dr. Dean Ornish asked her to create a program of yoga practices for patients suffering from heart disease. Yoga's contribution to the success of both programs has been astounding.
Devi shares her years of experience working with the healthful benefits of yoga, teaching visualizations, breathwork, and meditation, as well as providing the classic steps and illustrated instructions for yoga's physical poses. The Healing Path of Yoga uses timeless Indian-based yoga techniques and philosophy, along with Devi's lifestyle-altering regimen, to create one extraordinary program with the power to rejuvenate and heal. The Healing Path of Yoga presents the key to:preventing disease and stress in healthy people
aiding in recovery from heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses
physical conditioning and weight loss
deep, healing relaxation techniques
heightened overall wellness of body, mind, and spirit
From the Back Cover
"Whether you have never practiced yoga and meditation or you practice daily, Nischala Devi will help bring you to the next level. Her extensive knowledge and calming manner come through as beautifully in this book as in person. Nischala offers tools you can use that will benefit you for the rest of your life."
-- Clint Eastwood
" As the caregiver of a cancer survivor, I know firsthand the healing light of Nischala Devi's teachings. Now they come alive for countless others in a book of her distilled experience, beautifully expressed."
-- Gail Sheehy
About the Author
NISCHALA JOY DEVI developed and was the primary instructor for the Basic and Advanced Teacher Training Program for Integral Yoga, as well as pioneering yoga progams for Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Michael Lerner. She lives in California.
Healing Path of Yoga: Time-Honored Wisdom and Scientifically Proven Methods That Alleviate Stress, Open Your Heart, and Enrich Your Life FROM THE PUBLISHER
Stress is now considered the foremost contributor to poor health and a major factor in causing heart disease, cancer, and a myriad of chronic and acute diseases. This book will make yoga a fundamental part of your quest for wellness and well-being, whether you are a novice or a current pactitioner.
Nischala Joy Devi, a pioneer in the field of alternative healing and a renowned yoga expert, has spent years helping people realize the healthful and stress-controlling benefits of yoga. In 1982 she developed yoga-based retreats for Dr. Michael Lerner's now famous Commonweal Cancer Help Program. That same year Dr. Dean Ornish asked her to create a program of yoga practices for patients suffering from heart disease. Yoga's contribution to the success of both programs has been astounding.
Devi shares her years of experience working with the healthful benefits of yoga, teaching visualizations, breathwork, and meditation, as well as providing the classic steps and illustrated instructions for yoga's physical poses. The Healing Path of Yoga uses timeless Indian-based yoga techniques and philosophy, along with Devi's lifestyle-altering regimen, to create one extraordinary program with the power to rejuvenate and heal. The Healing Path of Yoga presents the key to:preventing disease and stress in healthy people
aiding in recovery from heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses
physical conditioning and weight loss
deep, healing relaxation techniques
heightened overall wellness of body, mind, and spirit
FROM THE CRITICS
Phil Catalfo - Yoga Journal
Devi's devotion to the wellness of her clients and readers is evident on every page, as is her devout vision of life as an inescapably spiritual pursuit.