Yoga Anatomy – by Leslie Kaminoff & Amy Matthews

First and foremost this is what you would expect it to be from the title: a guide to human anatomy in the context of yoga.

What sets it apart from many books of its genre is its holistic approach, considering the importance of factors ranging from the tiny (e.g. how a nerve connects) to the huge (e.g. your body’s relationship to the gravitational field of the planet).

The illustrations throughout are very clear; ink drawings with color added to highlight parts, and often attention given to aspects that are commonly neglected—for example that we are made of more things than just muscles and bones, and what happens to the various internal organs is often relevant too!

Similarly, oft-forgotten muscles and joints get the attention they are due. For example, did you know the diaphragm affects over a hundred joints? It’s obvious when you think about it, but without a reason to do so, it’s easy to forget that the diaphragm even is a muscle, or that many of the joints near it are indeed joints. So, it takes on extra importance when the authors discuss how breathing affects the practice of a given posture—and conversely, how practice of a given posture affects breathing.

There is also discussion of the philosophy of yoga throughout, but the greatest value of the book is surely the better understanding of the biomechanics involved in yoga practice.

Bottom line: if you’re interested in yoga and would like to be better-informed with regard to what’s actually going on with your body, then this is a great book for you.

Click here to check out Yoga Anatomy, and get to grips with the anatomy of yoga!