People laughed at the image of pretzel-legged yogis focusing on the tip of their noses - until Swami Rama walked into a laboratory and showed scientists what a yogi with control over his respiration can actually do. Before astonished researchers, he demonstrated perfect control over his heart rate and brain waves - control physiologists hadn’t believed humans could possibly achieve.

For thousands of years, yogic adepts have claimed that breath is the essential link between body and mind, energizing a “subtle body” which connects the physical and mental aspects of our being. In this landmark book, Swami Rama and two noted American physicians explore the science of breath as the missing key to both physical health and the attainment of higher states of consciousness. Basic yogic breathing techniques are explained so that we can immediately begin working with this powerful ancient science.

About the Authors:

One of the greatest masters from the Himalayas, Swami Rama is the founder of the Himalayan Institute. Born India, he studied in both India and Europe and received his spiritual training in the Himalayan cave monasteries and in Tibet. His best known work, Living With the Himalayan Masters reveals the many facets of this singular adept and demonstrates his embodiment of the living tradition of the East.

Rudolph Ballentine, M.D., is a respected leader in the field of alternative and complementary medicine.

Alan Hymes, M.D., is a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon. A pioneer in the filed of breath research, he has studied the interrelationship between breathing patterns and cardiovascular disease.

Reviews:

• "This is an in-depth study of an area of Yoga which is not covered elsewhere in a single source. Concise and clear, it will be valuable for advanced practitioners and teachers of Hath Yoga and meditation."
  —Library Journal
• "... this text is absolutely the most lucid examination of the interface between Western medicine and yoga I have discovered... rarely in available literature have the physiological facts been presented in such accessible form... "
  —Norman Weinstein, Yoga Journal