Yoga Anatomy: Your illustrated guide to postures, movements, and breathing techniques: Amazon.co.uk: Leslie Kaminoff: Books

Review

""This is an essential book for any serious student of yoga who delights in the details of asana.""
"Yoga Journal" - October 2007
""For a long time it was difficult to get anatomy books that were specifically designed for Yoga teachers. Anatomical textbooks were useful but did not help with questions directly related to Yoga. After 2003, however, a row of books were published that addressed Yoga anatomy....Then, in the spring of this year, L. Kaminoff's "Yoga Anatomy "was published. Like other books it is very helpful because it shows the use of specific muscles in certain poses. Unlike other books it also addresses questions of joint action, muscles working and lengthening, obstacles, breathing and variations. For a slim (and not very expensive) book the author has been able to compress a lot of information into a concise, clear and instructive format. I have found "Yoga Anatomy "to be a very helpful resource book, and I rarely prepare a class without consulting it.""
Oda Lindner -- a YAA certified Yoga teacher
November 2007 edition of "Bridge," (the publication of the Yoga Association of Alberta, Canada)
"Plenty of books outline the fundamentals of yoga, but how many provide an illustrated anatomical guide to postures, movements and breathing techniques which blends anatomy with yoga moves? "Yoga Anatomy" offers a visual approach that allows learners to see how all the muscles interact during various poses. Chapters survey joint actions, poses, and how yoga helps various conditions. Any library strong in yoga or new age will find this anatomical approach specific and invaluable."

Diane C. Donovan
"California Bookwatch"
5-Star Review onAmazon.com
"Interesting Reading on a Difficult Subject, January 3, 2008"
Yoga Anatomy ("is the best book I have purchased on the subject. I have been practicing Yoga for about 33 years and teaching some classes during the 33 years. The illustrations are clear, concise and to the point for the asanas demonstrated. The book is well written and interesting. I recommend it to all Yoga Teachers and serious Yogis. I am registered to teach certification, if I pursue this," Yoga Anatomy "by Leslie Kaminoff will be one of the text books used in my class. Thank you for such a wonderful book on "Yoga Anatomy.

Product Description

See inside every yoga pose! With clear, expert instruction and full-color, detailed anatomical drawings, Yoga Anatomy depicts the most common asanas to provide a deeper understanding of the structures and principles underlying each movement and of yoga itself. From breathing to standing poses, see how each muscle is used, how slight alterations of a pose can enhance or reduce effectiveness, and how the spine, breathing, and body position are all fundamentally linked. Whether you are just beginning your journey or have been practicing yoga for years, Yoga Anatomy will be an invaluable resource one that allows you to see each movement in an entirely new light. Author Leslie Kaminoff is a recognized expert and teacher in anatomy, breathing, and bodywork. He is the founder of The Breathing Project, New York City s premiere yoga studio dedicated to the teaching of individualized, breath-centered yoga practice and therapy.

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48 of 49 people found the following review helpful

Good reference for students and teachers 20 April 2008

By Elle

Format:Paperback

This new book is one of very few available on the specific subject of yoga and anatomy.

The nice thing about this book is its accessibility - it has pictures of a range of poses in the style shown on the book cover, illustrating the muscular-skeletal system in the asana and highlighting the muscles being utilised (some postures shown from several angles). In some illustrations, the internal organs are also shown.

This helps you to relate anatomical and physiological knowledge to the actual asanas of yoga. The book also includes notes on breathing and the action of the joints in each posture.

Not as in-depth as the Coulter book, but at a good 400 pages shorter, that is to be expected. What this book offers instead is a more visual, illustrated approach and a great reference tool for serious students and teachers.

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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

Great resource 6 Jun 2008

By Crystal

This is a brilliant book for those studying yoga. It has plenty of detail which would come in handy during study.If you need help on joint movements and muscles being used during postures the this is the book you need to buy- very clear, interesting and brilliantly illustrated.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful

Yoga Anatomy 9 Oct 2008

By Tami Brady TOP 100 REVIEWER

I guess I'm one of those people that likes to understand the how and why of everything I do. Therefore, whenever I workout, I find myself wondering about the purpose of each particular exercise. Am I actually working, strengthen, or stretching my muscles in a way that is beneficial to my body or am I just wasting my time? Am I doing the exercises correctly or am I setting myself up for an injury? Perhaps that's why I love the Anatomy series from Human Kinetics. They have a number of different books that take a deeper look at Stretch Training, Stretching, and Yoga exercises.

Yoga Anatomy has full coloured pictures of the body for a wide variety of movements: breathing, standing poses, sitting poses, kneeling poses, supine poses, prone poses, and arm support poses. These pictures show which muscles are in use during a particular motion. Extra information is then included about which joints are involved and which muscles are lengthening and working during the process. Each entry also notes proper breathing as well as information on any challenges associated with the pose.

In this way, there is no guess work involved. I know exactly what each posture is meant to do, which muscles I'll be working, and how to prevent injuries. I can then take full responsibility for my health and fitness.