De Michelis (religious and theological studies, U. of Cambridge) investigates how the yoga that is practiced in Europe today differs from classical forms, and how it acquired its unique traits. Along the way she also explores how it differs from meditation, why there are so many kinds and how they do and do not differ from each other, and why such a foreign discipline has taken root in self-styled Western societies. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)