Science of Yoga

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!

With little scientific background (I majored English/writing in college), I have studied yoga anatomy and physiology in a number of teacher trainings and workshops and am always interested in learning more, but it does not come easily to me. I have found I learn this stuff better in a practical way, in person with a teacher or through videos, and in the context of actually practicing the asana and pranayama, where I can experience the lessons in my own body. Until now, books have been of little help.When I saw this new book recommended on Amazon, I was immediately struck by the illustrations, and ordered it right away. I was not disappointed. The illustrations deliver with a simple color-coding system that highlights muscles that are stretching, engaging and stretching, and engaging in each asana that the author chose to include. The names of the muscles and joints and their anatomical positions are explained, and alignment and modification tips are given. I hope the author decides to expand on the number of asanas illustrated online or with a follow up book, though there are plenty to work with already.While I found the Q&A in the back of the book to be a bit basic, I'm sure it would be a wonderful guide to yoga beyond asana for readers new to the practice. What I didn't expect and found very valuable was the first part of the book which was an introduction to many of the systems (adrenal, skeletal, muscular, digestive, etc.) of the body. Again, the illustrations are top notch and the descriptions are clear and concise.The author drops in the benefits of yoga, pranayama, and meditation practices here and there with a fresh approach: she uses the most current research, not old yoga myths. In fact here and there she busts some of those myths. Scientists are finding everyday that there are proven reasons to engage these practices, we don't need to perpetuate ancient myths, fun as they are, anymore.Yogis of all levels of experience will benefit from this book, I believe.Great Book Ann!

As a yoga practitioner and yoga teacher training (YTT) graduate, I appreciate how The Science of Yoga Anatomy and Physiology (1st edition) by Ann Swanson bridges the gap between movement and biomechanics. The aesthetics of the book cover are captivating, drawing attention to the vivid colors that match the 3D depictions of the human body performing various yoga poses. The paperback edition feels comfortable to hold, making it easy to flip through pages during study sessions. The design of the chapter organization ensures that each section builds upon the next, and the visual content simplifies complex anatomical concepts. The economics of this book make it a valuable investment for yoga professionals seeking deeper anatomical understanding. A study published in The Journal of Sports Science & Medicine reveal how integrating anatomical awareness into yoga practice can improve flexibility and muscle coordination by 47 percent. This book has strengthened my appreciation for the science behind each pose. 📘🧘‍♀️💡