Enlightened Bodies: Exploring Physical & Subtle Human Anatomy

by Nirmal Lumpkin, Japa Kaur Khalsa

Enlightened Bodies inspires and elevates the approach and study of the human body, interconnecting anatomy, physiology and ancient yogic teachings. Enlightened Bodies presents the complexities of the body in a refreshing and approachable style, integrating multiple perspectives
* Human Anatomy
* Ayurveda
* Kundalini Yoga
* Traditional Chinese Medicine
* Self Care
* Other lifestyle traditions

This is an essential book for yoga enthusiasts and healthcare practitioners who are looking for a deeper understanding of the human body and ways to incorporate complementary health practices in their treatment plan.

285 pages, Paperback

Published December 15, 2014

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally finished this book start to finish. It is something I will cherish for my entire lifetime... what a beautiful, colorful resource to return to again and again. It was hard to read front-to-back, without wanting to take pages of notes, or practice the kriyas, or prepare the recipes. Invaluable for any teacher - especially as students come to ask about specific parts of the body throughout their yogic practice.

The blend of information between subtle and physical anatomies supported my overall understanding of the human body and how the technology and science of kundalini works, on a system-to-system basis. All the systems of the bodies are deeply integrated and this is where Western Medicine misses the mark (in general). The yogic perspective of how the endocrine system affects the nervous system affects the reproductive system, etc., is where I have learned so much. It was also exciting to dip into some Chinese Medicine theory, splattered here and there throughout this text.

This book would also be a solid resource for someone diving into chakra theory, and how the chakras affect the body systems. I wish I would have had the appendixes when I was studying Level 1 training! Will definitely be making my future reading list off of the resources list in the back.

[Reading Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

My other Kundalini Yoga TT textbook and I liked this one quite a lot. While the other (essential kundalini) was nice if a bit basic, this book is almost a dialogue with both Lumpkin and Khalsa chiming in, not only with their specialities of expertise, but with their own personal anecdotes. It elevates this book far beyond the fundamentalist 'but yogi bhajan said...' of most other books.

This book combines their long experience of teaching, with Chinese medicine wisdom, and works on connecting the energetic and subtle bodies with the function of the yoga poses. You'll see in some books a focus on yoga and, say the chakras--this pose for Root Chakra, this pose for Crown, etc, but this book invites you to study the poses and actions and consider not just the chakras but the Chinese meridians as well. It starts to connect up quite a bit of threads, which can help one to explain to a student not only HOW to do the pose, but WHY, and moreover WHY the pose works. Truly it should be an essential in every Kundalini library.

[Nicole Zupich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for my 200 hour kundalini yoga teacher training. Great text that I'll reference often.