Yoga Anatomy Reviews

• See "Inside" Your Yoga Poses

  
  By AWHWFE4EMLS4X on 2008-05-25
  Yoga Anatomy is a book that gives the reader a look inside the human body as it is put in various yoga positions.
  
  Chapter 1 covers the dynamics of breathing and actually covers some breathing physiology as well. Chapter 2 talks about the spine and gives some pretty detailed spinal information. Chapter 3 is short and covers the asanas.
  
  The rest of the book, Chapters 4 through 9, make up the "meat" of the book and contains most of the anatomy information most readers probably bought the book for- what muscles are used in what poses. The way the book gives you the information is quite handy- it has a section on standing poses, sitting poses, kneeling poses, on-your-stomach poses, on-your-back poses, and arm supported poses. Sooo, all you have to do is pick a position/pose, and there you'll find pictures of what muscles are involved (and let me say, they show you some great angles of the poses to make sure the reader can see ALL the muscles that are involved). In addition to learing what muscles are involved, the book also tells you what joint actions are involved, as well as what body parts are working AND which ones are lengthening- neat!
  
  A great reference book, its simply perfect for the yoga enthusiast that has become acquainted over time with muscles they never knew they had- but will now after reading this book! Also recommend The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution if plantar fasciitis pain keeps you from doing your yoga.
  
  

• Extremely Detailed

  
  By A2ME8QMG05MGY9 on 2007-08-02
  "Yoga Anatomy" by Leslie Kaminoff, is a must have book for yoga instructors and practitioners. Although there are a few books on yoga anatomy currently available to choose from, I was pleasantly surprised by Kaminoff's offering. First of all, the illustrations are absolutely crystal clear (the amazing artist, Sharon Ellis, is a medical illustrator). The drawings show exactly what your muscles and bones are doing in each pose. The coolest part is that we get to see some (not all) of these poses from interesting angles - not just the side view and front view - but also from the bottom and top, which really adds a lot (the author accomplished this by shooting pictures of the models from below, using a large sheet of plexiglass suspended by two ladders!). For example, imagine seeing "Bakasana" (Crane Pose) from underneath! You can see the Serratus Anterior and Iliacus at work - two things that may be difficult to view in traditional yoga anatomy books.
  
  For each pose featured, Kaminoff provides information on the joint actions, what parts of the body are working, what is lengthening and what obstacles you may encounter. Sanskrit and English terms are provided along with pronunciations of the Sanskrit. The author also gives a very detailed chapter on the Dynamics of Breathing as well as a chapter on the Spine. These additions are invaluable and very clear. So much information is presented, it is almost overwhelming - but unlike other anatomy books, it doesn't feel dry or boring. This would be a great manual for any yoga teacher training program as well as for anyone who would like to "see" what is happening in each asana.
  
  

• The book I've been waiting for

  
  By A2MLW9NTJ0YUC9 on 2007-08-22
  This book is a godsend for anyone who studies or teaches yoga. It reflects so much care and work and attentiveness to detail. It really is anatomy for yogis. I've been studying yoga for close to 40 years and have been exposed to a variety of corrective allignment forms of body work. So when I'm having trouble in a posture I often refer to standard anatomy books but they can be overwhelming and aren't geared towards helping me understand what is going on in a given posture. Despite taking several anatomy classes including a wondrous anatomy dissection class, I still don't have enough knowledge to translate what I read or see in an antomy text into what I'm doing and not doing in a given yoga posture. There are books that aim to be more inclusive, like Mel Robin's book on the physiology of yoga--but I just get overwhelmed by that much information. This book helps me see the main muscles working in a given posture and the main reasons I might be having difficulty with that posture. Of course I would like even more--how can I strengthen or lengthen the muscles that I'm needing to employ in a given posture. But that is asking for too much and I think really requires work with a well trained teacher. This book is just the right size, user friendly and chocked full of information. The illustrations are remarkable, showing postures from different angles and reflecting the author's extensive study of both anatomy and yoga. I highly recommend it.
  
  

• Every yogi should have one

  
  By A36CDRPAJVRMWQ on 2007-07-09
  This is a great book, thorough & easy to read, with wonderful illustrations. Leslie Kaminoff has a wealth of knowledge to offer: knowledge of the body, of the dynamics of the breath, and of the asanas. This is the kind of book that instructors & practitioners alike should own for reference. The breadth & depth of the material is amazing.
  
  

• Not Very Helpful

  
  By A11OQUV1ZI2MT2 on 2008-01-25
  The illustrations do not show the difference between the muscles are being stretched and which ones are being contracted, which is pretty much night and day as far as muscles go. Just showing which muscles are "working" is like having a listing of bank accounts that are active without knowing which accounts have a debit or credit balance.
  
  I have an anatomy book on stretching and an anatomy book on exercises and compared to those books this book was not really very useful. You can look at the pictures in the other books and in one glance get a visual diagram of which muscles are being stretched or contracted.
  
  
• After the first two chapers, it's a great resource.
  By A2FBI1BA1FHA29 on 2008-01-27
  This was assigned to me as a required resource for Shala (Yoga Teacher Training). Having no background in anatomy, I am really struggling to tie the written descriptions in the first two chapters to the illustrations. Perhaps there is an assumption by the author and illustrator of a certain level of anatomy knowlege that this reader doesn't posses. I find that the illustrations of the thoracic cavity (lungs, central tendon, diaphram) and the spinal column (discs, tendons, vertebrae) more confusing than helpful. I needed to consult with my Shala yoga instructors and 3 different anatomy books to understand what the author was trying to teach me. Chapter two is no better. The illustrations of the spine, tendons, discs are all superbly drawn, yet don't quite sync up with the written text if you're a newcomer like myself.
  
  After these two chapters, it's a great resource. As the other reviewers have stated, the illustrations of the muscles used during different asanas are right on and quite helpful. This is a resource I'll keep and use again. However I'd like to see the first two chapters revised so the illustrations are presented better for the novice.
  
  
• Essential reference guide
  By A1BS6WM7GGL78D on 2007-08-11
  As a yoga practioner and teacher, I have always been in search for an easily understandable anatomy book on yoga-- and Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff provides that. Each asana (pose) that is explained shows the following:
  
  - a beautiful illustration of the pose showing the muscles and bones that are used in the pose (joints and organs are shown some asanas too)
  - the English and Sanskit name (along with the pronouncitation)
  - Classification and Level
  - Joint Actions
  - Working (muscles being used)
  - Lengthening (muscles being stretched)
  - Obstacles and Notes (mucscles, bones or joints that may hinder the yogi to coming into the pose, and provide helpful hints to overcoming that)
  - Breathing (suggestions on how to use the breath and where to direct the focus of the breath)
  
  Leslie Kaminoff explains many of the most commonly practiced asanas--including standing, sitting, kneeling, supine, prone and arm support poses. There is also a chapter on the breath and another on the spine.
  
  My complaint is that the muscles mentioned in the text weren't completely identified in the illustration. For example, if there are 40 muscles involved in the pose, only 10 or less are pointed out in the illustration. This can get slightly frustrating because unless you are an anatomist or physical therapist, I do not memorize all the muscles, bones and joints and their placements. It may be asking too much to show each and every muscle mentioned into the drawings, so I refer to another book, Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain for reference (this book provides a breakdown of body parts and the muscle groups). But nevertheless, the illustrations are invaluable in providing a deeper understanding of the pose.
  
  Overall, this is the best anatomy book on yoga I've read so far. I have read H. David Coulter's Anatomy of Hatha Yoga, and a book as thick as the bible is sure to overwhelm. Yoga Anatomy provides a fairly easy-to-understand format, however it is not for newbies. This book is more for serious yogis and teachers who already have a basic knowledge of anatomy and would like to learn more.
  
  
• a missing link has been found
  By A3JAVJUEFPFVVB on 2007-08-23
  excellent book... well-organized by asana. first book i have seen that applies so clearly and crisply per pose: alignment, detailed notes on anatomy involved, joint & limb actions, muscular actions, risks, levels of difficulty, notes, sanskrit translations, and crisp drawings based upon photographs from multiple angles. primary focus approached via breath and the spine. this is a treasure trove and not a million pages either - each pose is one to three pages - digestible in mini-sittings and at a glance.
  
  
• Yoga Anatomy for the Rest of Us!
  By A2T3F550IZ7PPF on 2007-10-25
  Rest assured, you can relax and breathe easy as you meander through the pleasant pages of this book! Other great books connect yoga and anatomy, including the highly regarded titles, Anatomy of Yoga, by H. David Coulter, and The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga, by Ray Long. However, Yoga Anatomy is so user-friendly even those of us who drift off during yoga anatomy workshops can enjoy absorbing the wisdom in this book.
  
  There were no anatomy books specifically designed for yoga teachers when I studied anatomy at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco in the `70s. I was already overwhelmed just learning how to place my feet in Triangle Pose and could not get my head into the daunting standard anatomical textbooks used at the time. If this book had been available, I might not have gotten a D in anatomy!
  
  The beautiful illustrations by award-winning medical illustrator Sharon Ellis are based on photographs of various models. As others have mentioned, some perspectives illustrated are quite unusual because they were shot from underneath. The book shows a photograph of a photo shoot where the model is balanced in Crow Pose, on a long piece of plexiglass secured between two ladders. The photographer is lying on his back on the floor, shooting the pose from below.
  
  The sight of this photo prompted me to do something I have not done in 30 years of practicing Downward-Facing Dog. I placed a sturdy mirror, one foot wide and four feet long, in the center of my yoga mat. I went into downward-facing dog in such a way that my hands and feet were pressing on the mat, and I could see the pose reflected in the mirror. I turned to the book, and there was a picture of the view I had just seen in the mirror.
  
  I am fond of telling my students to turn the pages of yoga books sideways and upside down so that they can better see the connection between the various poses. The views shown in Yoga Anatomy make this concept crystal clear and help you see yourself and your students with X-ray eyes. Yoga Anatomy is definitely an essential resource that will illuminate your practice for years to come!
  
  Suza Francina, author, The New Yoga for Healthy Aging, The New Yoga for People Over 50, and other books. www.suzafrancina.com
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• A lot of work
  By A36XB2TC8H5ER1 on 2007-10-20
  There is a fantastic amount of work in this book, and any teacher, or trainee teacher will find it a very useful book. The section on breathing is particularly good and explains well the complex relationship that exists between the thorax and abdomen. The asanas are wonderfully illustrated, but I felt a little frustrated that muscles that are working, and those that are stretching are not clearly differentiated, it would have been easy to do them in different colours for instance. However, If you want to find out what muscles do what when you practice the asanas he describes, this is probably the best book around.
  It doesn't set out to make judgements about the validity of the asanas described, and that probably needs to be understood when you read it, because understanding what is happening to you when you practice doesn't always mean that what your doing is good for you.
  
  
• Yoga Anatomy
  By A3C318ZUTVMGNS on 2007-08-28
  This book is a great tool for yoga teachers and anyone wanting to further their knowledge of yoga and anatomy. The drawings are incredible. The notes accompanying the drawings are exactly what I need to deepen my understanding of yoga anatomy. The layout for each asana is clear and easy to understand with everything I would want to know about that posture. The text about the Breath in general is thorough. The text about the breath in each posture is not something I have found in other texts. What an incredible resource!!
  
  
• Excellent!
  By A2V8AFQ7YAQR3O on 2007-10-19
  Absolutely excellent book! I even went back to purchase another one to give as a gift!
  
  I've already started recommending this book to my yoga students so that they'll understand which muscles are activated during a pose.
  
  I highly recommend!
  
  
• An excellent work on yoga anatomy for a very reasonable price!
  By A3JIMYKKDODRGU on 2007-12-11
  Yoga anatomy is a detailed work on how the various yoga asanas impact us at an anatomical level. For a variety of standing, sitting, kneeling, supine, prone and arm support yoga poses the key anatomical structures, joint and limb actions, working and lengthening of muscles and breathing involved in the pose are described. The obstacles to getting into the poses are also described. I found this to be extremely useful. The diagrams are detailed and by looking at it one would know what muscles and joints are involved in the yoga posture. Getting into a posture is not very difficult for many; but the question is if they are doing it the right way by involving the right muscles and joints. For example the book clearly mentions that in Uttanasana (standing forward bend) hip flexion is the main joint action but if the hamstrings are tight then spine flexes to compensate for it. By being aware of this fact, one can focus on flexing the hip and correctly get into the pose without flexing the spine much. By being aware of the correct muscles groups/ joints my yoga practice has benefitted immensely. My hip has opened easing pressure on my spinal muscles and my back pain has eased considerably because of that. For some poses, the book does not pictorically depict all the muscles mentioned in the description. The book talks about latissimus dorsi lengthening in Utkatasana but the illustration does not show that. Overall, this is a great book for a very reasonable price!
  
  
  
  
  
• Much more than a yoga book
  By ATTKGBOBKQ3S5 on 2007-12-31
  I am a graphic designer and can appreciate the time and effort that went into this book. The anatomy illustrations are superb and a perfect companion to the yoga posture descriptions. The writer breaks down a large variety of standing, kneeling, supine, sitting and balance poses with details that include key structures, joint actions, working muscles, lengthening, etc. I have been practicing yoga for three years and have some knee and back issues. I found this book very helpful to isolate and understand the exact anatomy that is involved during my practice. I highly recommend it for anyone who practices yoga and especially for yoga instructors.
  
  
• A welcome addition to any fitness library
  By A29MJCYEDVMZ9R on 2007-10-17
  Leslie Kaminoff's book is an excellent owner's manual for anyone who has a body! "YOGA Anatomy" not only provides practitioners and instructors with a quick, concise source of information about muscles groups, but it is an excellent reference for anyone who is thinking about adopting any type of exercise routine outside of yoga. As a Yoga, Tai Chi, Nei Gong and Qi Gong instructor, I keep this book in my kit bag and use it whenever I need to make a fine point about alignment or strength. Dancers and martial artists will be excellently served and advised by Amy Matthews' clear and precise descriptions of kinesiology, or muscle/joint interaction. The notes and obstacles section of each posture also offers insight on the range of muscle movement and its effect on skeletal alignment. The fine and detailed illustrations provided by Sharon Ellis help round out this wonderful book. I highly recommend this book! You will be satisfied.
  
  
• Lots of detailed information
  By A1TSLB24CV5DBL on 2007-11-08
  This book has it all when it comes to the anatomy of yoga postures. I am a yoga teacher and I keep this book with me at all times. If a student has a question about how a certain pose works or what goes on during that pose I break this out to help them understand while I talk to them. It helps give them a visual what I am telling them about a pose. I just love, love, love this book! Every person who is a serious student or teacher of yoga should own this book.
  
  
• an amazing book!!!!
  By A18T2MVTE8U5XM on 2007-11-09
  a great book for all who are interested in yoga anatomy- great images and all in very simple english.
  
  
• Yoga Anatomy is very informative
  By A2VP7WT9Q77EM4 on 2007-12-17
  Yoga Anatomy is an excellent book to explain which muscles are being used and best recommended breathing techniques.
  
  
• Interesting Reading on a Difficult Subject
  By A3HYBGKM3LPWWR on 2008-01-03
  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.
  
  
• Great help
  By A2HVC3EJOTJCA9 on 2007-09-26
  Great book for understanding how body parts are manipulated during an asana. A must have fro any yoga teacher!
  
  
• yoga Aatomy
  By AOCR9MZKCRJHL on 2007-10-30
  Wonderful, wonderful illustrations from the ground up literally. I loved the explaination of the other two diaphragms as it is key in understanding how the breath moves in the body. Maha Mudrasana is a prime example of the immediate cognition one gets as the base point of the asana is shown from a unique observational perspective. It is one of the most powerful asanas at moving energy, and from this diagram, it is clear why. Cat/Cow is the greatest vinyassa we can master in my view and the section on primary and secondary curves is very informative. I was happy to see they had included Simhasana. Another ancient asana that is overlooked in modern day asana classes.Maybe because it is so subtle.
  I will use this book a lot I think. Thankyou. Camella Nair - author of "Aqua Kriya Yoga".
  
  
  
• The body inside - muscles
  By A2EWHWDR9V6YZ on 2007-09-11
  Very nice book. Illustrated and clear at a very reasonable price. It shows how muscles work in most commom practised postures.
  
  
• A must have for any yoga teacher
  By A2JWX9VURLPHAM on 2007-10-12
  I will always be referring to this book as time goes on.Most anatomy books put me to sleep, this one makes me think and really engages my intrest taking practicing and teaching yoga to a deeper level.Much to discover between these pages.It will probly fall apart from much use!
  
  
• yoga anatomy
  By A2J0B2FZZU1TKK on 2007-12-28
  Great book to show me what muscles I am using in my daily Yoga pratice.
  Thank you.
  
  
• Helpful but flawed
  By A17ZH0JUGO72PH on 2008-03-03
  While I applaud the author's overall effort, I take issue with the "working" and "lengthening" section for each pose. It's unclear if "working" involves a muscle "contracting" or not (just because a muscle shortens does not require it to be contracting or suggest that it is of kinesiological or anatomical interest). The same is true for lengthening, although gratefully he (the author) sometimes identifies eccentric contractions. There is also the issue of muscles being shown in the drawings, but not included in the supporting text. There is also inadequate distinction between the actions or movement into the posture, the maintenance of the posture and the action or movement out of the posture. These flaws are very distracting, and leave this book unsatisfying, even though other parts are valuable.
  
  
• Too Technical
  By A24FY1EBJ7EWLH on 2008-05-25
  As a yoga practitioner with little formal knowledge of anatomy, this book does not offer what I was looking for. I was hoping for something more practical that would give me an anatomical explanation and help with poses that I find difficult. Though the "Obstacles & Notes" section does offer this, the explanations are very technical, often referring to muscles not labeled on the drawings. It assumes that the reader speaks the language of anatomy and the illustrations, though beautiful, are confusing.
  
  
• Serious yoga practitioners
  By A5DWV99GSR6W9 on 2007-09-12
  If you really want to see under the skin in a yoga pose this book is for you. Beautiful illustrations and details.
  
  
• Excellent purchase
  By AAR6Y1L8USY0F on 2008-05-02
  I was extremely pleased with this book. Great biological-physical explanations of what happens in your body and how it works with yoga practice.
  Full of nice illustrations which really exemplify and support what you're reading, so it becomes really much easier to understand stuff.
  
  Not complicated at all, but still very explanatory. If you're into yoga and would like to know a litle bit more of what happens to your body, which muscles you work in different asanas, and how its beneficial to you , then I really recomend you get this. You won't be dissapointed.
  
  
• Yoga in 3-D
  By A2V2QCGYPUZCUR on 2008-05-15
  I own and use many anatomy books, from Gray's to the coloring book. Could another book really offer anything new and interesting? Yes!!! Yoga Anatomy brings the subject to life, making muscles relevant not just to yoga, but to every day activities, too. The illustrations are cool and make you want to get down on the mat and practice and feel.
  --Anita Boser, author of Undulation Exercises and Relieve Stiffness and Feel Young Again with Undulation
  
  
• Yoga Anatomy
  By A1TDRS435B884O on 2008-10-09
  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.
  
  

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