Paperback Edition of The Subtle Body Arrives

 The Economist summed up the book well: "Ms Syman takes a guru-centric approach, charting the path of the thinkers, spiritual leaders, celebrities and quacks that brought yoga into the mainstream. The result is well-researched and rich in character studies... Ultimately, the book is a cultural study of America, and the country's ability to assimilate just about anything." You can order it from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or go pick it up at your favorite Indie bookseller. And if you do read the book and happen to like it, I encourage you to write an Amazon review. If you're moved, you can post your review here.

Paperback is Coming Soon!

The Subtle Body comes out in a convenient, easy to tote paperback next month. You can pre-order here. And check back for more news shortly!

Yoga's Brand Issues

Recently, Dr. Aseem Shukla, co-founder of the Hindu American Foundation, lamented that “yoga has thrived, but Hinduism has lost control of the brand.” It’s a bizarre assessment, not only because of the present reality but because the tussles over yoga’s “soul” predate its arrival in the West. Today, you’d be hard pressed to find a yoga studio that doesn’t display an image or statuette of Ganesha or Shiva. There’s little doubt of the provenance of these deities, and Americans have long understood that yoga is intimately linked to Hinduism. But in a parallel universe Americans might have favored other yogas.

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Is Yoga Christian?

That was the question Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.,  president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, was ultimately asking in his interview with me--one of the most interesting ones I've done to date. Listen here. And find out Mohler's answer to this burning question in his commentary here.

Leonard Lopate Interview on WNYC

I talked to New York's supreme book interviewer/ radio host last week. My favorite question: can people get enlightened by $98 yoga pants? You can listen here.