Mirka Knaster has been in the holistic health field since the 1970s as a practitioner, teacher, writer, editor, and speaker. Growing up in a European family in the U.S., living and traveling in diverse areas of the world, and studying the traditions of different peoples, she brings a cross-cultural perspective to her research on the body, healing, and spiritual practice. Her latest book, "Discovering the Body's Wisdom" (Bantam), explores the benefits of Eastern and Western body-mind disciplines. She has a master's degree from Stanford University and is presently a doctoral student in philosophy and religion.