The Psychophysical Lab: Yoga Practice and the Mind-Body Problem

by Ohad Nachtomy, Eyal Shifroni

The book offers a comprehensive framework – both practical and theoretical – for investigating and developing our human nature as psychophysical unities. Chapter 1 establishes a practical framework, the ‘psychophysical lab’, as a means of observing, studying and developing the relations between mental and physical aspects of human nature through yoga practice; Chapter 2 shows how yoga practice can foster a mutual development of our mental and physical faculties. Chapter 3 offers a philosophical and historical analysis of the mind-body problem – its origin, development, and possible solution. In Chapter 4, the authors recommend practice sequences with marked mental benefits, such as confidence, balance and optimism.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2019

Reviews

[Teo · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Biologist, Neuroscientist, Physical Therapist and soon to be Clinical Psychologist (the pandemic made me do it) I am alarmed at the amount of protoscience and pseudoscience that comes out of the westernized yogic communities. I enjoy this individuals other books. As a Physical Therapist I became a certified yoga educator and attest to the mindfulness connection as well as the physical benefits yoga provides. However, this book is straddling the fence into some fanciful things. Yoga is great for body awareness, which leads to embodied mindfulness. It is also a great source of movement for those who are seeking functional bodyweight static postures (isometric contraction), which is great for building strength at the position of the posture. There is also a great deal of shoulder and chest activation in chaturanga (eccentric aka negative contraction). However, yoga is missing concentric contractions which are just as important for building functional strength. I digress. The mind-body aspect to this book is somewhat helpful to individuals who are comfortable being introspective and accessing a mindful space within. However, those experiencing trauma can not only be triggered, the majority of the claims within this writing are not based in current science. There are plenty of empirical studies that reliable and current, which provide insight into the benefits of mindfulness and mental health and physical health. This is not one of those resources.