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Anatomy of Yoga for Posture and Health
Yoga is one of the most popular fitness, health and wellbeing pursuits in the world. With this book, the millions of yoga practitioners worldwide who practise the sport will benefit from seeing what happens inside their bodies when they assume yoga poses. "Anatomy of Yoga for Posture and Health" focuses on the benefits of yoga for improving posture and general health, and introduces the reader to a range of techniques chosen with these goals in mind. Its premise is the fact that good posture and spine strength lie at the core of the body's health, and this book will help you to achieve that through a better understanding of how your body works. The book is divided into five sections, each of which describe a different set of essential yoga poses targeting different areas of the musculoskeletal system. Each pose is illustrated with a detailed anatomical drawing showing exactly what is happening to the muscles and the skeleton during the move. Sure to be a valuable reference for yoga practitioners at every level, this book features everything readers need to know to use yoga to improve their posture and health, and to learn about its effects on their body.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 24, 2026
Reads mostly like a textbook. It takes you through some of the basics of anatomy and breakdown of medical terminology relevant to the poses before going into the yoga poses and chakras. However, unless you've had some medical background, it's still quite dry and complex. In addition, the layout of the version I read was also not correctly presented and skewed the text and format in such a way that lended to some haphazard arrangements, making it a little hard to follow.
If you're just wanting to learn yoga, this is likely not going to be for you. This is more for those who like knowing and reading about all the technical nuances, wherewithal, mechanics, and processes. This one wasn't for me.
Reviewing copy courtesy of NetGalley
If you're just wanting to learn yoga, this is likely not going to be for you. This is more for those who like knowing and reading about all the technical nuances, wherewithal, mechanics, and processes. This one wasn't for me.
Reviewing copy courtesy of NetGalley
May 1, 2026
Thank you to Fox Chapel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
As a yogi, I eat up all things that help me with my practice. And as a yogi who would like to pursue teaching, this book really hit a lot of the things I know I'll need to understand to get there. And what could be better than focusing on posture for your health??? Nothing!
I loved how organized this book was with amazing visual aspects that truly help you see what the authors are speaking to for each posture. And, as a nurse, I loved the integration of the anatomy, as well.
I loved that the book can help both experienced yogis as well as those just starting to learn! While it does focus on the physical aspect of yoga for the most part, there are definitely areas that give some insight into breath technique and chakras which are just as important for the practice.
If you're looking for a text book that is also a manual for yoga practice, pick this one up. It's practical tool that would benefit anyone who would like to learn more of the scientific aspects of yoga postures. I read a digital copy but I am totally purchasing a physical copy to have for my yoga library!
As a yogi, I eat up all things that help me with my practice. And as a yogi who would like to pursue teaching, this book really hit a lot of the things I know I'll need to understand to get there. And what could be better than focusing on posture for your health??? Nothing!
I loved how organized this book was with amazing visual aspects that truly help you see what the authors are speaking to for each posture. And, as a nurse, I loved the integration of the anatomy, as well.
I loved that the book can help both experienced yogis as well as those just starting to learn! While it does focus on the physical aspect of yoga for the most part, there are definitely areas that give some insight into breath technique and chakras which are just as important for the practice.
If you're looking for a text book that is also a manual for yoga practice, pick this one up. It's practical tool that would benefit anyone who would like to learn more of the scientific aspects of yoga postures. I read a digital copy but I am totally purchasing a physical copy to have for my yoga library!
March 5, 2026
Anatomy of Yoga for Posture and Health is an incredibly thorough and visually driven guide that bridges the gap between ancient practice and modern biological science. As someone who hits the mat a few times a week, I found this to be one of the most comprehensive resources I’ve encountered, though it certainly demands your full attention.
The Deep Dive: From Joints to Chakras
The book is structured with a "bottom-up" approach to the human body. It doesn't just jump into poses; it begins with a very technical foundation, breaking down joints and muscle groups before transitioning into the mechanics of posture and breathing.
What makes this unique is how it balances the physical with the energetic. After the heavy anatomical lifting, the author transitions seamlessly into the history and application of chakras, providing a holistic view of the "yoga body." You also get a complete, step-by-step breakdown of the Sun Salutation, which serves as a perfect centerpiece for the technical instruction.
Practical Application & Corrective Exercise
The standout feature for me was the section dedicated to specific posture types. The book identifies common postural misalignments and provides targeted exercises to fix them.
Accessibility: For every complex move, the author provides modifications. This is a lifesaver if you aren't at peak flexibility yet; it allows you to build strength safely without feeling discouraged.
The "Pro" Factor: While the book is beautiful and thoughtful, it is dense. Beginners might find the level of anatomical detail a bit overwhelming. However, this is exactly what makes it a goldmine for:
Physical and Occupational Therapists
Yoga Instructors
Students who constantly ask "Why?" or "How does this move actually help me?"
Final Verdict
I particularly loved the curated list for future reading—it’s a great touch for those of us who want to keep falling down the rabbit hole of body mechanics. I’ll be keeping a digital copy of this on my computer as a permanent reference for managing my own back issues.
If you are looking for a light "coffee table" yoga book, this might be too much. But if you want a technical manual that proves exactly how yoga can heal and align the body, this is a must-have.
I was given this ARC copy by NetGalley to review.
The Deep Dive: From Joints to Chakras
The book is structured with a "bottom-up" approach to the human body. It doesn't just jump into poses; it begins with a very technical foundation, breaking down joints and muscle groups before transitioning into the mechanics of posture and breathing.
What makes this unique is how it balances the physical with the energetic. After the heavy anatomical lifting, the author transitions seamlessly into the history and application of chakras, providing a holistic view of the "yoga body." You also get a complete, step-by-step breakdown of the Sun Salutation, which serves as a perfect centerpiece for the technical instruction.
Practical Application & Corrective Exercise
The standout feature for me was the section dedicated to specific posture types. The book identifies common postural misalignments and provides targeted exercises to fix them.
Accessibility: For every complex move, the author provides modifications. This is a lifesaver if you aren't at peak flexibility yet; it allows you to build strength safely without feeling discouraged.
The "Pro" Factor: While the book is beautiful and thoughtful, it is dense. Beginners might find the level of anatomical detail a bit overwhelming. However, this is exactly what makes it a goldmine for:
Physical and Occupational Therapists
Yoga Instructors
Students who constantly ask "Why?" or "How does this move actually help me?"
Final Verdict
I particularly loved the curated list for future reading—it’s a great touch for those of us who want to keep falling down the rabbit hole of body mechanics. I’ll be keeping a digital copy of this on my computer as a permanent reference for managing my own back issues.
If you are looking for a light "coffee table" yoga book, this might be too much. But if you want a technical manual that proves exactly how yoga can heal and align the body, this is a must-have.
I was given this ARC copy by NetGalley to review.
June 2, 2026
Anatomy of Yoga for Posture and Health by Nicky Jenkins and Leigh Brandon gave a good overview of the case for yoga, movement and meditation with a focus on spinal alignment.
Each section starts with an alignment issue and covers meditation and yoga poses specific to that issue. I regularly do a yoga and meditation class, so the poses weren’t new to me, but what was interesting was knowing which muscles each pose stretched and the overall health benefits.
As it was structured by spinal alignment issue, I did feel that the content was repetitive as many poses were repeated. Even so, I am considering buying a paper copy for reference as I can see that the routines would give me benefits, in addition to my regular yoga practice.
Thanks to Nicky Jenkins and Leigh Brandon, Fox Chapel Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
Each section starts with an alignment issue and covers meditation and yoga poses specific to that issue. I regularly do a yoga and meditation class, so the poses weren’t new to me, but what was interesting was knowing which muscles each pose stretched and the overall health benefits.
As it was structured by spinal alignment issue, I did feel that the content was repetitive as many poses were repeated. Even so, I am considering buying a paper copy for reference as I can see that the routines would give me benefits, in addition to my regular yoga practice.
Thanks to Nicky Jenkins and Leigh Brandon, Fox Chapel Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
August 13, 2020
Mehhh - went over my head but I've never studied anatomy
March 16, 2026
While I do have experience I. Healthcare I do find the breakdown of the material easy to follow. The illustrations helped me to visualize the different poses.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews