Yoga Mat Companion (4 book series)
Yoga Mat Companion Series: A Deep Dive into Your Yoga Practice
The Yoga Mat Companion series by Dr. Ray Long is a four-part exploration of the anatomical foundations of various yoga postures. It bridges the gap between Eastern yoga practice and Western scientific knowledge of the body.
Each book focuses on a specific category of poses:
- Book 1: Vinyasa Flow & Standing Poses – Master the science behind Vinyasa flow and foundational standing postures. Learn how to move with proper alignment and improve your overall practice.
- Book 2: Hip Openers & Forward Bends – Unlock tight hips and delve into forward bends. This book guides you in safely deepening these postures while understanding the muscles engaged.
- Book 3: Backbends & Twists – Explore the world of backbends and twists. Gain the knowledge to confidently approach these poses and maximize their benefits.
- Book 4: Arm Balances & Inversions – Conquer inversions and arm balances! This book breaks down the anatomy to help you achieve these advanced postures safely and effectively.
Throughout the series, Dr. Long utilizes clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions. A unique feature is the “Bandha Yoga Codex,” a five-step process applicable to any pose. This method helps you improve your strength, flexibility, and precision in every aspect of your yoga practice.
Whether you’re a beginner seeking a strong foundation or an experienced yogi looking to refine your practice, the Yoga Mat Companion series offers valuable insights. It empowers you to move with intention, deepen your understanding of the poses, and achieve your yoga goals.
Loved them! they really help to understand little details!
If you're into anatomy as it pertains to movement and yoga, you'll want to add these to your permanent collection. Artists will enjoy these as well.
I really recommend it to any one who loves to read!
The quality of the paper, the drawings, the detail of the muscles, the clarity of the information,etc.
Inside you'll find instructions to ace the final Asana, options for preparing it like another asanas or how to use props (like in Iyengar style).
The book have a guide for muscles used in every asana or involved in it.
The quality of the paper, the drawings, the detail of the muscles, the clarity of the information,etc.
Inside you'll find instructions to ace the final Asana, options for preparing it like another asanas or how to use props (like in Iyengar style).
The book have a guide for muscles used in every asana or involved in it.
The quality of the paper, the drawings, the detail of the muscles, the clarity of the information,etc.
Inside you'll find instructions to ace the final Asana, options for preparing it like another asanas or how to use props (like in Iyengar style).
The book have a guide for muscles used in every asana or involved in it.
The quality of the paper, the drawings, the detail of the muscles, the clarity of the information,etc.
Inside you'll find instructions to ace the final Asana, options for preparing it like another asanas or how to use props (like in Iyengar style).
The book have a guide for muscles used in every asana or involved in it.
Wow. These books are amazing. I wish I'd had them 30 years ago. Most books on yoga will say, don't do this pose if you have this condition, and that's the end of it. These books tell you every detail of a pose, from how to get started if you're not very flexible, to how to get even more from the pose for very advanced users. I knew these were worth every penny and every minute spent reading them, when I saw something cautioning how you need to do these things in such a way as to not destroy your joints; most books (and an awful lot of teachers out there) don't know how to teach to prevent major joint damage. Dr. Long does.
This book is a wonder of modern science and understanding illuminating secrets for the illiterate practitioner.
Ther two books, she is thrilled, they were in excellent condition and she can't wait to read them.
Brilliant book.
Well set out to show required steps, colour helps identify various parts.
It begins by taking you through the science of yoga--why yoga does what yoga does. It explains how yoga interacts with the brain. It teaches the moves in an extremely in depth way.
The illustrations are great.
And, there is great reference corresponding with the muscles and bones in the body.
Week by week, my yoga instructor and I are working our way through the book.
Br // Raul
br Raul
raul
I didn't get to look at this book through my library, one of the reasons why I was skeptical. I usually only get books that I have already decided are a worth while investment. So I threw caution to the wind and wound up with a wonderful book.
It goes into how the book should be read and then breaks down poses like Mountain, Tree, Warrior 1 and 2 by:
Telling you their joint position (Mountain = the knees are extended, hips neutral, . . .)
How to prepare for the pose
And what muscles you are using through various stages of the pose with some amazing muscular photos to go along with it.
It also give you some example workouts for vinyasa yoga as well.
Overall my impression: This is great, You can easily focus on proper alinement a pose or two at a time for a week until it becomes natural to your everyday practice. I am buying the rest of the set.
this is my second book in the series and I can't recommend it enough. This book gives you a clear understanding of bone and muscle positioning while practicing yoga. Easy to read with great illustrations.
I expect I'll be getting great value from this series for many years to come.
The books are well made, with thick papers, and the pages are set opened easily (just like having a spiral bound book).
The step-by-step illustrated instructions for each pose includes a preparation sequence, followed by the step-by-step process of achieving the pose with detailed explanation of the bio-mechanics of the movements involved. The illustrations are excellent and detailed and the narrative is easy to understand. Not only are the muscles which are involved in each pose shown clearly in the illustrations, but each muscle is "color coded" to show whether it is engaged or stretching.
As for the quality of the book: When I first placed my order, I was a little disappointed that this book was not available in "hard cover". I prefer the hard cover format because I feel it is more durable. I was pleasantly surprised when I received this "paperback" book. The cover is made of very thick card stock and the pages are very high quality "slick" paper. The binding seems similar to hard cover books. I feel this is a very durable book that will last as long as a hard cover book. Also, the book "lays flat" which makes it very convenient to use while practicing the techniques presented.
after vols 1/2/3 which were sent ahead as soon as
available, to avoid delay and at no extra cost..
all arrived well before estimated delivery time..
again, in perfect new condition etc..
having now had some opportunity to read thru these vols
beyond initial [delighted] skimming and sampling, the best
amplification is probably that everything mentioned in
my review of vol 1 has been further confirmed..
the more you read and take in the information and
amazing imagery, the more you realize that creative
experts in teaching and yoga have attempted a new standard
for this type of yoga physiology teaching resource..
best advice is still to fully investigate dr longs great
website bandahyoga.com which allows you to go thru these
wonderful books page by page at the click of a mouse..
namaste
carl
bottom line, if you have any, interest in yoga
or any skills suite involving stretching etc,
[go to bhandayoga.com to check them out fully]
then get your own copy asap..
namaste
carl