Kokoro Yoga: Maximize Your Human Potential and Develop the Spirit of a Warrior--the SEALfit Way

Former Navy SEAL commander Divine (8 Weeks to SEALFIT) makes a convincing case for yoga as a key part of “integrated warrior development,” pointing to its mixture of physical, mental, and spiritual elements. Divine was already an accomplished martial artist when he discovered yoga as a natural next step in his training regimen. Inspired by Paramhansa Yogananda’s classic Autobiography of a Yogi, he studied the discipline in depth and crafted his own practice for use “at home or in the field.” His book offers a lifelong training model that is purposeful, balanced, and flexible, interpreting different aspects of yoga’s often-arcane precepts as a series of clearly explained strategies. The core of the book is chapter five, which offers seven illustrated sequences of traditional yoga poses, meditation, and breathing methods enriched with visualization techniques and combat conditioning moves. The physiological and psychological benefits of yoga are also enumerated and explained; these include enhanced body control, core strength, flexibility, increased stamina, and immunity. Beyond its instructional value, much of the book’s appeal comes from the author’s personal narrative and his presentation of himself as the epitome of a warrior in body and mind. B&w photographs. (Apr.)