Description
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.
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Ashley F –
I just received this book, The Science of Yoga, yesterday and have already read it (at least initially) cover-to-cover– it’s incredible! I have been a student of yoga my whole life (40+ years– my mom did yoga, so I did it with her as a kid) and am also an anatomy enthusiast, as well as a social psychologist and educator by trade. I have never found a book that so elegantly integrates the wisdom of yoga with western scientific understanding of the human body and in such a beautiful and accessible manner. I love the way that it illustrates each asana (pose) from multiple perspectives offering deep insight into the ways in which each ansana supports whole body well being and giving clues to how to modify poses when people’s bodies don’t act the way that human bodies typically act. I have hypermobile joints which have become significantly misaligned recently; I find that my yoga practice (I include meditation as part of practice– not separate from) is really the only thing that helps to heal my body. Seeing how each asana is meant to engage one’s muscles (and body, by extension) helps me conceptualize how to modify the asana depending on how my joints are engaging that day and offers better “signposts” to help me sense my own alignment, adjust accordingly, and ultimately deepens my self-awareness on multiple levels. I also love the Q&A section and particularly admire the way that it seamlessly synthesizes western research and yoga philosophy in such a thorough and accessible manner– the section on yoga therapy and transformation are two of my favorites! It is not only your gift for explaining complex ideas but your use of visuals (impressive!) and layout that make this work so accessible and engaging for so many people. I have already convinced both my dad and my partner to develop their own practice using evidence from the book– they both really need it! Thank you for @AnnSwanson for creating such a helpful guide– I am looking forward to spending many hours pouring over it!
DC –
After taking some nutrition and exercise science classes I became interested in anatomy and physiology. I waited for the $300 textbook to reduce in price, I got it for $8 it wasn’t even worth that. This book is far far more superior. It has much more detail on every page. I love how it tells you which muscles are stretching and engaged. I love how it is divided into sections and gives you additional detail on the organs and systems throughout the book. This will keep me motivated to do my yoga for years to come.
Amazon Customer –
Detailed and informative. Happy to have it in my library.
aliyayyy –
En anglais mais une vrai source de savoir. A compléter cependant avec d’autres livres pour une compréhension optimale.
Tricia –
Great illustrations and information. Exactly what I was looking for!
アナログのエース –
This book is an excellent, concise guide to understanding joint mobility and muscle engagement. I’m hooked – I’ve sat down to read it for pleasure twice already!
As an experienced and senior yoga teacher, finding a book I want to read, and return to, is gold dust.
The clear illustrations, with color-coded visuals for engaged and stretched muscles, make it easy to see and understand key movements.
I especially appreciated the practical tips throughout, which, while familiar, are very useful for teachers looking to share helpful insights with students.
Overall, it simplifies complex concepts, concretes the anatomically relevant facts and provides actionable advice, making it a great resource for both personal practice and teaching. I love it!
Erin C. Geraghty –
I am really enjoying this book. It is an excellent reference for proper body mechanics. It has easy to understand explanations of muscles being used. I have been reviewing it with my 10 year old. It’s been great for both of us! The pictures are excellent and very well labeled
Maarja –
A fantastic book, easy to read & understand. It really helped me learn more about yoga & the human body, I would definitely recommend it.
GARBAGE!!!!!!!!! –
i LOVE how this illustrates which muscles are working and which are stretching throughout the asanas- there is so much information in here, it could honestly be used as part of a YTT textbook. I come back to this book time and time again and pick up in different places. thank you Ann Swanson, I am so grateful to you!
aliyayyy –
Unfortunately I returned my copy because I received it damaged. I can only talk about my first impressions. At first glance the way that knowledge is presented seems a little too general, the layout is a like a chaotic school textbook too. That may be appealing for some but me personally, I like simple, old-fashioned books where the knowledge is condensed in an organized manner. I could probably still learn from this book as it approached many different subjects. Now, the illustrations are fantastic. Too bad they decided to put those detailed, beautiful illustrations split across two pages, which makes them almost useless. You can’t even read some descriptions. This is a huge flaw in my opinion.
Possibly in the future the format could be slightly bigger, and some illustrations smaller, so one would fit on a single page. That, I would reorder.
Amazon Customer –
As a yoga teacher and studio owner I love this book. It’s a great reminder in clip notes of all the wonderful things yoga does to your body, it has all the poses right alignments in it and it’s just amazing if you are into human body and need a quick reference to look up how different fibers in your muscles are call etc
You know – all the stuff you constantly forget since it’s not in your everyday language but makes a big difference to still keep it in mind
Noemie –
解剖学的な視点から英語の勉強も兼ねて身体を把握したくて購入。満足です。
Ashley F –
I love this book. Ann has a masterful way of combining western and eastern philosophies as well as subtle and gross anatomy in this book. I actually use it in my yoga teacher trainings and my students love it. The illustrations, the way it’s written, everything is so spot on. This is my go to for anatomy books for yoga.