The physical basis of the 'kundalini (hatha) yoga' in terms of Western anatomy and physiology.

The physical basis of the Kundalini (Hatha) yoga. Contents: Science and philosophy of yoga, yoga practices, tantric anatomy of nerves, nadis, chakras, shaktis, kundalini its location and functions, kundalini identified with right vagus nerve, pancha pranas and pancha vayus, awakening of kundalini by bandha processes, awakening of kundalini by mudra practices, ashta siddhis.

Contents

Opinion
Foreword by Sir John Woodruffe (author of Serpent Power)
Preface
Introduction
Genesis of the book.
Physical development of Deshbandhu.
The feats of Deshbandhu.
The condition of this heart.
Suggestons inadequate to explain the phenomena.
Abnormality emphasised.
A kindred abnormality.
A yogic feat.
Suggested explanation.
Digression.
Chapter I Science and philosophy of yoga
Definition and varieties of yoga.
Steps necessary for the achievement of yoga.
Yama.
Niyama, asana.
Pranayama.
Regulation and control of breath.
Classification of breathing.
Yoga breathing.
Training of the will.
The technques of pranayama.
Pose for practising pranayama.
Pratyahara.
Dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
Significance of the various steps of Patanjali.
Importance of Dharana.
Chapter II Yoga practices
Yogic practices control autonomic nervous system.
The sympathetic and cerbro-spinal elements.
A resume of the autonomic nervous system.
The sympathetic portion, its purpose.
Sympathetic vs. para-sympathetic.
Chapter III Tantric anatomy of nerves, nadis, chakras, shaktis
Nerves mentioned in yogic literature.
Location of the ida and pingala nadis.
Location and description of sushumna nadi.
Control of sushumna annihilates time.
Through sushumna latent powers are developed.
Chakras or plexuses.
Location and powers of chakras.
Dakini and rakini shaktis.
Lakini shakti.
Kakini shakti.
Shakini shakti.
Hakini shakti.
Chapter IV Kundalini-its location and functions
The mysterious kundalini bestows suprenatural power.
Kundalini as described by others.
Location of the kundalini.
Location and description of the Kanda.
Location discussed.
Kanda and kundalini.
Kundalini and shushumna.
Kundalini and brahma-dwara.
The awakening of kundalini.
Kundalini and the six doors leading to brahmarandhra.
Teh origin of vasana traced.
Randhra defined.
Chapter V Kundalini identified with right vagus nerve
Kundalini a verve.
Kundalini identified as the vagus.
The vagus nerve, its source and function.
The uniqueness of the vagus nerve.
Afferent and efferent fibres.
Their funcitons.
Their control.
Parts of the vagus.
The yogic phenomena in physiological language.
Apparant anomaly reconciled.
Kundalini corresponds to the right vagus nerve.
Chapter VI Pancha pranas and pancha vayus
The pancha-pranas.
Udana-prana-samana-apana-vyana.
Panch-pranas physiologically expained.
Location and functin of teh pancha-pranas.
Locatin of udana.
Location of prana.
Location of samana.
Locationof apana.
Location of vyana.
Five upa-pranaas.
The five vayus.
Their function.
Chapter VII Awakening of kundalini by bandha processes
Bandha and mudra.
Making kundalini impressionable.
Distinction between asana and mudra.
Superiority of hatha yoga over jnana yoga.
The three bandhas and their practice.
Their effects on the autoniomic nerves.
On structure of the body.
Katabolic disturbance unconsciously controlled.
Sushumna necessary fro conscious control.
Nada produced by meeting of prana and apana.
Bandha and pranyama establish conscious control over kundalini.
Chapter VIII Awakening of kundalini by mudra practices
Shaktichalan mudra.
Meeting of prana and apana vayus essential for conscious stimulation of kundalini.
Shanmukhi mudra, its importance.
Khechari mudra, its importance and effects.
Kechari-King amongst mudras.
Effects of kechari-mudra on the circulation of the blood.
It helps to keep prana bottled up in body.
Elongation of the tongue, a prime factor.
A method of enlongation.
The moment for rolling back the tongue.
Importance of mudras.
Samyama for willing kundalini to action.
Chapter IX Ashta siddhis
Nirvikalpa samadhi.
Ashta siddhis.
Anima or the microcosm.
Mahima or the microcosm.
Laghima or lightness.
Garima or gravity.
Prapti or success.
Prakamya or overgain.
Vasitivam or subjection.
Ishatvam or dominion.
Probable explanation of siddhis.
Chapter X Summariy
Summary of the book.
Scientific definition of kundalini yoga.
Bibliography
Appendix