Anatomy for Yoga: A great tool for teachers and students
You know that yoga is great for the body, but have you ever been able to see just how it strengthens you inside? A new book from McGraw-Hill enables you to do just that:
An Illustrated Guide to Your Muscles in Action
By Nicky Jenkins & Leigh Brandon, Illustrations by Juliet Percival
$19.95 • Paperback • 144 pages • May 2010
ISBN: 0071738657 / 9780071633628
The detailed four-color anatomical illustrations found in ANATOMY FOR YOGA depict exactly what happens to the body’s muscles and skeletal system while performing incredibly spine-intensive movements. The book is strategically divided into sequences, each containing a series and specific stretches and mobilizing and strengthening exercises addressing particular postural imbalances. It also contains detailed breathing practice and meditation practice guides, helpful for both the first-timer and the professional yogi.
This in-depth tour of your muscles as they progress through yoga exercises will enable you to practice correctly, improve your posture, and increase vitality and health.
Although the cover for this book is unassuming, don’t be fooled. I received a copy for review and honestly based on the cover would not have given this book a second look. Yes, I know you should not judge a book by its cover. But I am swimming in a vast sea of yoga books where any person who even saw a yoga class on TV feels compelled to write a book on how yoga has changed their life and can help you too. Honestly most writers are not re-inventing the wheel. Yoga is a thousand year old practice and the great yogic texts were written decades ago.
So what do I look for in a yoga book I would be willing to pay to add to my collection? Clear, concise dissemination of useful knowledge. Correct Sanskrit terminology. Some photos perhaps and definitely a greater insight into “how” yoga works. Whether it be physically, spiritually or otherwise.
Anatomy for Yoga delivers. The illustrations are clear and uncluttered – main muscles indentified and their action in some of the most frequent class asanas. What I really appreciated and could have used a few years back were the first dozen pages that breakdown anatomical terminology, movement planes, joint movements, biomechanics and more. This information is well presented and very clear – especially to someone like me who is not a fan of charts or verbose paragraphs. The authors hit the length right on, they give enough detail to get the point across but not too much to overwhelm or bore.
The illustrations throughout the book are large and visible. A nice chance to some books whose authors seem to think every inch has to have text or a picture of some sort – regardless if the images become too small to be useful. The book delves into Chakras, specific sequences for postural correction, breathwork and more. Each pose is also broken down into joint movements, benefits, modifications and a quick “how to”.
If you are looking for a book that explains muscles and anatomy clearly and without boring you – this is the book to put on your list. Reasonably priced under $20, especially when compared to books that are near double in price for similar material.
