The Student's Manual of Yoga Anatomy: 30 Essential Poses Analyzed, Explained, and Illustrated - Softcover

The Student's Manual of Yoga Anatomy is the essential guide for anyone looking to understand the importance of doing yoga poses correctly in order to maximize the benefit and avoid pain and injury. With the guidance of Sally Parkes and Joanna Culley, students and instructors glean a simple and clear understanding of the practice of yoga.

Work through 50 step-by-step illustrated poses (asanas) that are perfect for working through each section of the body. Including an overview of the musculoskeletal system to explain the body systems and terminology discussed. Then it deeply introduces yoga, looking at the styles of Hatha yoga, movements of the spine and its axis points, how levers change the intensity of each asana, types of muscle activity, and the science of breathing. Full-color anatomical illustrations and clear, concise text of 50 common yoga asanas make the science easy to understand, and allow a deeper understanding of yoga and how it works with the body, allowing readers to easily apply what they learn to their own practice. Clear notes describe the type of muscle activation, plane of movement, axis of the spine, and options for practical modifications to allow for individual ability and injury rehabilitation. You'll also discover a list of sequences to link the asanas together to form a complete workout routine for a healthy lifestyle.

Featuring some of the most popular asanas:

- Mountain Pose - Tadasana

- Warrior 1 and 2 - Virabhadrasana 1 and 2

- Chair Pose - Utkatasana

- Dancer's Pose - Natarajasana

- Eagle Pose - Garudasana

- Hands to Feet Pose - Padangustasana

- Staff Pose - Dandasana

- Boat Pose - Navasana

- Seated Half Lotus - Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana

- Cat/Cow Pose - Marjaryasana/Bitilasana

- Locust Pose - Salambasana

- Upward Dog Pose - Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

Sally Parkes, BSc, has been teaching yoga since 1998. She runs yoga teacher training courses and retreats in the UK and internationally, and regularly contributes articles to leading health and fitness magazines. Sally's background in science combined with her extensive experience of teaching yoga make her uniquely placed to examine the topic from the viewpoint of both scientist and practitioner.

Joanna Culley (BA(Hons) MMAA MIMI AMI RMIP) is an award-winning medical illustrator. She worked on The Student's Anatomy of Stretching Manual, for which she was recently awarded a Gold Standard industry award by the Institute of Medical Illustrators, for exceptional use of technique, and understanding and interpretation of the subject.