Kaminoff, Leslie. Yoga Anatomy: Your Illustrated Guide to Postures, Movements, and Breathing Techniques.Yes, this is one of those books that I began months ago and have been reading on and off while reading others -- including the other books for my self-challenge, the fantasy books for Carl's Once Upon a Time Challenge, and many Advanced Reader's Copies.
One of the things I really liked about this book is the pronunciation guide to the Sanskrit names of various asanas and information about the meaning of the terms. Each pose is illustrated with an anatomical guide to the muscles that are in action, which is really interesting and gives insight into the actual workings of the body in the poses.
There is also information about joint and limb action for each pose, the challenges to the respiratory system in different poses and how to use the breath to make the most of the posture, obstacles, cautions, and variations.
The information is pretty technical (which is one reason it took so long to get through it), but it makes an excellent reference tool. I was glad this book was on the reading list as I already owned a copy and had been using it.
When I started taking classes with Marcia, some of the information became more pertinent, as Marcia goes more in depth about the asanas we practice in class.
Nonfiction. Yoga. 2007. 217 pages.
I like that it gives you an idea of which muscles are working.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great. I sometimes go look on Yoga Journal's site to read about individual poses but this would make it much easier! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that it tells you which muscles you are working in the different poses. That is something I have not learned in my years of doing yoga. I have a few books on yoga and have read up on it online as well, but this is the first resource I have seen that includes this information. I am putting this on my wishlist! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteNicole - The drawings are fascinating just in and of themselves! Seeing the different muscles in action in the different postures is really interesting.
ReplyDeleteIliana - I'm not too well-versed in anatomy, so I find it particularly educational!
Rebecca - The illustrations and text not only explain which muscles are working, but how they are working. It is a terrific resource.