Foreword by Rodney Yee vii
Acknowledgments xi
Colloquy of the Vital Breaths (Prana-Samvada) xiii
Introduction: Lions, Elephants, Tigers 1

PART ONE: Clarification
1. The Yoga of Breathing 13
2. Shining Forth 21
3. Obstacles and Helpers (Antaraya and Pari-karman) 38
4. Props 48
5. Practice Tips 58
6. Pranayama Journal 64

PART TWO: Cooperation
7. The Witness (Sakshin) 71
8. Corpse: Introduction to Shavasana 77
9. Mapping the "Gross Body" in Corpse 85
10. Quieting the Sense Organs in Corpse 108
11. Qualities of the Breath: Time, Texture, Space, and Rest 122
12. Unusual Breathing 134

PART THREE: Comprehension
13. Reclining Supports 153
14. Posture (Asana) 161
15. Chair Seat 190
16. Traditional Seats 201

PART FOUR: Completion
17. Tools (Upaya) 219
18. Conqueror's Breath (Ujjayi Pranayama) 236
19. Against-the-Grain Breath (Viloma Pranayama) 247
20. Locks and Retention (Bandha and Kumbhaka) 254

Appendix 1: Practice Schedule Outline 271
Appendix 2: Breathing with a Friend 280
Appendix 3: Yoga Props 289
Notes 291
Glossary 297
Recommended Reading 301
Index of Practices 303