Science of Yoga: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect your Practice
Explore the biomechanics of 30 key yoga asanas, in-depth and from every angle, and master each pose with confidence and control.
Introducing Science of Yoga – an all-encompassing science book to help you better understand yoga anatomy and the medical science behind yoga to perfect your practice and poses!
Did you know that yoga practice can help treat age-related memory loss better than brain-training games?
Recent scientific research now supports what were once anecdotal claims about the benefits of yoga to every system in the body. Science of Yoga provides a detailed insight into variations of key yoga poses and the specific benefits of different styles of yoga on the human body, system by system.
Dive right in to discover:
– Specially commissioned CGI artworks show 30 asanas in depth and detail the physics of the pose
– 16 spreads of clear, easy-to-understand scientific facts and research answering key questions around ancient and modern claims
– Illustrated section on the benefits of yoga on the human body system by system
– Easy-to-understand research is presented in an easy-to-understand format with illustrated pullouts, debunking the myths and explaining the scientific facts, from breathing techniques to mindfulness
Science of Yoga is a riveting read, and reveals how your blood flow, respiration, muscles and joints work below the surface of each yoga pose, whilst teaching you to achieve technical excellence in your practice, from the comfort of your own home.
The first yoga book on the market to combine detailed anatomical drawings, pose mechanics and key scientific research, Science of Yoga is a must-have volume for yoga beginners and professionals alike, seeking an accessible and easy-to-read guide on the effects of yoga on the human body from a scientific standpoint.
Whether you’re looking to take up yoga this New Year, or your yoga poses are already perfect, this science book is the ideal fitness gift for the yoga lover in your life, and sets out to separate the facts of yoga from the myths, with proven scientific research.
2,100 Asanas: The Complete Yoga Poses
This fully-illustrated New York Times bestseller categorizes an astonishing 2,100 yoga poses through photographs and descriptions for optimal benefit including adaptations for all levels of expertise and ages.
A thoughtful, inspiring, meticulously-crafted guide to the practice of yoga, 2,100 Asanas will explore hundreds of familiar poses along with modified versions designed to bring more healthful options to yogis of all experience and ability.
Organized into eight sections for the major types of poses — standing, seated, core, quadruped, inversions, prone, supine and backbends — and each section gently progresses from easy to more challenging. Each pose is accompanied by the name of the pose in English and Sanskrit, the Drishti point (eye gaze), the chakras affected and primary benefits.
The pictures are very well done and detailed.
There are helpful tips - I am SO glad I got this book...once I opened it, I order the one for Pilates too.
My best friend loves the gift and said it was perfect for her to better practice memorizing anatomy of the body and understanding how different yoga poses and anatomy go hand in hand.
The Asana (poses) section of the book guides exploration of what's going on inside the body while practicing yoga. Each of around 30 Asana has at least two views, eg, front and back; often, side views are provided. Red-, blue-, and purple-colored muscles clearly indicate what's being stretched or strengthened. This section is packed with details, both in print and diagramed.
Other sections of the book touch on aspects of human anatomy system beside the musculoskeletal, such as the lymphatic and immune systems, respiratory system, nervous system and so on, showing how other body systems are involved in a yoga practice. A questions and answers section briefly yet effectively addresses issues such as spinal care in yoga, yoga for different life stages, meditation, stress/mental well being, and chronic pain. This section even touches on yoga philosophy.
The book also includes a 'Cautions' section that can help a practitioner modify poses based on needs and health conditions.
The book contains a table of contents (front), and a glossary and an index at the back.
Science of Yoga is very good at explaining that yoga is adaptable for pretty much everyone. Regardless if a practitioner is spiritual, religious, agnostic, or whatever, studies and research indicate and suggest that yoga can help one find better health, more peace.
I look forward to more from Ann Swenson. I'm counting on her continuing her amalgamation of research and studies that explain and prove (rather than "indicate" or "suggest") what she wisely presents in Science of Yoga.
Most yoga anatomy books focus primarily on muscles and skeleton in the various poses. Science of Yoga does that better than most, with excellent illustrations and detailed call outs. But it goes deeper and wider than what other books cover. Each pose begins with a two-page "Big Picture" overview, which is followed by another two pages called "Closer Look." For Cat-Cow, there are two pages focused on Cat, two pages on Cow, and another two pages on the movement from Cat to Cow; not only spinal flexion and extension, but how the movement facilitates breathing, body awareness, and the mind-body connection.
Beyond bones, joints, and muscles, I appreciate how author Ann Swanson covers all the systems of the body (circulatory, nervous, lymphatic, endocrine, digestive). Having taught yoga for ten years, I knew little or nothing about these systems. Science of Yoga attempts to cover everything that science can tell us about each system of the body in relation to yoga. I appreciate how the author encourages a shift “to a yogic perspective...of unity” (all of the systems functioning together).
The main focus of my teaching is wellness, and Science of Yoga serves that focus very well. Science of Yoga also meets my needs because I am generally agnostic about the traditional Indian-based claims of yoga benefits. Since we have the benefit of modern science, I want science-based evidence before I pass a claim like "shoulder stand stimulates the thyroid" on to my students.
The final section of the book (Q&As) is a series of two-page articles on how science informs us about joints and flexibility, spinal care, meditation, Savasana, stress, the brain and mental well-being, chronic pain, and other topics).
For teacher or practitioner, this is a book to study and, over time, increase one's mastery of yoga.
This is a great reference book while working towards injury recovery. It's great to see so many pose variations for beginners. For example, the 'easy one-legged king pigeon pose 1' on page 376 is great for people working towards the 'one-legged king pigeon pose 1 preparation' on page 377. Getting deeper stretches for certain muscles have been a goal towards my recovery along with regular r8 roller usage for my Piriformis and Psoas muscle. This reference book allows me to share rookie stretches with elderly friends.
Having reviewed every pictured pose, I've already noticed a few of stretches that could use better form presentation.
Having no background in Yoga, I can only hope that all data in this book is accurate for learning this discipline.
EDIT: March 13, 2018
I've been putting together my own routine with pictures. The alternative english pose names really help.
However, I have noticed that spelling isn't always correct such as on pages 682 and 683 where Muktyasana is also spelled Muktasana respectively. I have noticed many uses of '...yasana'. Perhaps, that's just how sanskrit goes..
This is why this book is so valuable. It is a great reference book. I ordered my copy in hardcover, so it will not bend or assume unseemly shapes. Book is made of high quality paper and has fantastic photography pictures of each and every pose demonstrated by very experienced practitioners/teachers. Author of the book is Canadian yogi who dedicated his life teaching yoga and he thought yoga to many athletes over his career. Most of the poses are demonstrated by female practitioners but there are a few male practitioners and they all look amazing. Each pose has a name in Sanscrit and English and description of it. I want to thank Daniel Lacerda for creating one of the most precious asana books that compiles all 2,100 poses that I could find in 10 years of practicing yoga.
The introduction to the book is vry thoughtful and also gives a brief description of yoga philosophy. People unfamiliar with yoga will be surprised to learn that yoga is so much more than a physical practice.
Each pose lists the name inEnfliah and Hindi, pose type; drishti point and modifications. It is even color coded for chakras. But, honestly, do you really need a line that says "pose type seated forward bend" when the picture shows someone seated on the floor and reaching for their toes? Or, for example, some of the modifications are not well described. For example, in kirmasana prep, the modification is "grabbing onto the ankles". Well, the regular pose shows the model grabbing the ankles. So the modification is...?
If they had arranged the poses so that modifications and prep poses were in order, it would have made more sense and you would have pictures of the modifications. Also, there is no verbal description of the lose or how to get into it. To me, that is the biggest issue.
It would have also been nice to have some help in groupong these into a practice