Science of Yoga: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect Your Practice

by Ann Swanson

Explore the biomechanics of 30 key yoga poses, in-depth and from every angle, and master each asana with confidence and control.

Did you know that yoga practice can help treat age-related memory loss better than brain-training games, or that the correct way to breathe throughout a sun salutation is influenced by what is happening to your organs as you move?

Recent scientific research now backs up what were once anecdotal claims about the benefits of yoga to every system in the body. Science of Yoga reveals the facts, with annotated illustrations that show the mechanics, the angles, how your blood flow and respiration are affected, the muscle and joint actions working below the surface of each pose, and much more.

With insight into variations on the poses and the specific benefits of different styles of yoga, such as kundalini and bikram, look no further than Science of Yoga to achieve technical excellence in your practice and optimize the benefits of yoga to your body and mind.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Science, Fitness, Reference, Self Help, Spirituality

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 8, 2019

About the author

Ann Swanson is the author of the internationally bestselling book SCIENCE OF YOGA, which has been translated into over 15 languages. Her new book, Meditation for the Real World, illuminates the fascinating science behind meditation with step-by-step practices to help you find peace in everyday life. She worked alongside Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Sara Lazar and an illustrator for the New York Times to create this science-backed visual guide.

However, Ann wasn’t a naturally “chill person,” and meditation didn’t come easy to her. Overcoming her own chronic pain and anxiety led her to India to study yoga and meditation, to China to explore tai chi, and to earn a Master of Science graduate degree in Yoga Therapy. Now, Ann blends cutting-edge research with ancient wisdom, resulting in realistic techniques you won’t just learn – you’ll love to live by! Order her new book at MeditationForTheRealWorld.com for exclusive bonuses available to our listeners.

Reviews

[Gabrielle (Reading Rampage) · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finding “Yoga Anatomy” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) to be a really interesting read, I started looking for other books on the topic, to gain an even better understanding of all the physiological effects of my yoga practice. I find that aspect to often be under-explained both in books on yoga and in traditional yoga classes – and I know a handful of physical therapists who have all said that they get a lot of yoga-related injuries from people who do not understand their bodies well enough to try and put their legs behind their backs safely. So yeah, this review starts with a PSA: if you are going to do yoga, read an anatomy book first.

Now, the book!

“Science of Yoga” is, like most DK Publishing books, absolutely gorgeous to leaf through. Those guys have an amazing team of illustrators and graphic artists, who can layout a yoga book like nobody’s business (see “Yoga: Your Home Practice Companion” https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). I praise this aspect not just because it’s nice on the eyes, but because it is very important for a book like this to be both detailed and visually appealing.

It also goes a bit deeper than “Yoga Anatomy” because it looks at all the systems that are included in human anatomy: the musculoskeletal system is obviously an important anatomical aspect of yoga practice, but asanas also influence your cardiovascular, digestive, lymphatic, nervous systems, and all the other ones I’m not naming. There is a chapter devoted to each, providing detailed image and explanations, as well as useful notes discussing how various bits and bobs are called upon when you are in downward-facing dog. If you understand said bits and bobs better, you understand your yoga better.

The second part of the book is a collection of illustrations of the various asanas – mostly the good old basic and classic poses – often illustrated from many different angles so that you can clearly see what is happening under the skin. Each illustration shows you which muscles are engaged, which are stretching (or both!), alignment instructions and with some, what is going on with your organs while you’re holding the pose.

The final section, of frequently asked questions, helps the reader understand how the physical benefits of yoga and meditation are documented and studied – and most importantly, there is a whole section on various physical conditions and injuries explaining which asanas to avoid, and which to favor to help with healing and relieving pain. This is not information often found in yoga books, and yet it is very important so that people curious about the practice don’t exacerbate aches and pains they may already be experiencing.

Overall, I found “Science of Yoga” to be the most accessible and comprehensive book on the anatomy of yoga practice I have read so far. I now understand what it means to have well-lubricated joints, why twisting poses are good for your belly, why healthy quads are linked to longevity and how drishti (or focal point) helps you with balancing poses (and that wobbling in those poses actually means you are building stabilizing muscles!). It is also nice to read that while traditionally, inversions are not supposed to be performed during menstruation, there’s no scientific basis for that restriction, so you should simply do what you feel your body can handle, regardless of your cycle. This is an invaluable reference for any serious yogi. I recommend it paired with “Hatha Yoga Illustrated” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) and “The Heart of Yoga” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...).

Yoga definitely has a ton of physical benefits, but one of the most significant effect it has had on me was to give me a new, more comprehensive understanding of my body, a greater awareness of how I use and treat it, and a much better relationship to it. Even if you are just in it for the exercise aspect, redefining how you see and use this fantastic machine that carries your brain around has life-changing potential. A book like this one is essential if you want to strengthen the relationship to your body fostered by yoga practice.

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of knowledge

An all round great book. This book is well-researched, and well documented, with great illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions on how to do the poses, as well as the benefits of each pose and the possible risks. The book also offers variations on poses if they are difficult or painful.

I was worried when I read the first few chapters as they seemed to be more of a biology lesson about 6 groups. However, this is extremely important as when the book goes into detail about the poses the illustrations break down the benefits to each group. Be it strengthening, straining (to avoid), or improving posture or blood flow. It reminded me of my very knowledgeable teacher Rosie Evens. In her class, she used to talk through the reason why the poses were done the way they were.

This is an intermediate to advanced-level book. Though beginners will find it easy to follow and informative, like all exercises, I would recommend trying a class before trying it from a book. Not a knock on the book at all just my opinion on sports/exercise.

The other great thing about the kindle format of this book is that I like how in the first few chapters in the biology parts they talk about poses that could be useful and I can tap on the link to take me to that part of the book. I think more e-books/kindle books should take advantage of this feature. In kindle it lets me snap back to the page I was reading before going on to the linked pose.

This is a great book that I would recommend to anyone especially people who might want to get back into Yoga from home.

[Tina Panik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of clear, direct, and outstanding illustrations and explanations that can aide both a beginner and experienced yogi in different ways. There’s something worth discovering on every page.

[Sheena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good accessible book

A great simple anatomy text for use when studying yoga. Although I had the privilege to study human anatomy over 30 years it is good to have a very simple reference as a reminder. It also allows you to build a picture of what is happening in poses as you instruct. Would recommend as a basic guide to anyone serious about their yoga practice who wants to study more about how it works in western medical terms.

[Marlee Waldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative. My favorite section was the Q&A at the end and learning more about the mindfulness benefits of practicing yoga. I loved learning how each pose affects your muscles and joints and how best to utilize them. I learned so much from this book and accomplished my reading goals of 1) reading more nonfiction this year and 2) reading yoga books to better understand how my practice is affecting my mind and body

[Amanda Hupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been practicing yoga for almost 6 years. I love how it has become a part of my daily routine. Science of Yoga by Ann Swanson is one of those books that I think is such a wonderful resource. The book breaks down the human anatomy. It is filled with detailed pictures showing how yoga impacts the different systems of the body. It is amazing how the different poses along with the proper breath can affect the body. Yoga can help lower blood pressure, improve brain function and help manage stress.

The pictures are so amazing and detailed. It shows how important it is to be in each yoga position correctly to get the most out of each pose and avoid injury.


The author is also a mind-body science educator. Her background is a Masters in Yoga Therapy. So she is obviously well versed in the knowledge of the human anatomy and of yoga.

The only downfall of the book is that I don’t suggest reading this book on a reading app or device. The best way to read this book is if you have a physical copy. It was hard to load the book onto my reading devices and zoom in to see all the detail. However, I felt all the information is so critical to helping one’s yoga practice. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you, NetGalley and DK Publishing for a copy of the book!

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great tool for all yoga enthusiasts!

[Karrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, intricately detailed. Took me back to nursing school. Showed poses and watch muscles/bones/joints it was working. Additional info for beginners. Awesome reference book to own.

[Delal Tomruk · Rating 5 out of 5]

apologies from the goodreads police, I will have to count this one as a book read because my yearly challenge is not looking good

[Brent Woo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slick diagrams and interesting reading tidbits. Some aspects of the book are too shallow, and some are too deep, making it hard to recommend for any perfect particular use. The first section on the anatomical systems is interesting but far too brief, it spends only 1 or 2 pages on each system, like the muscular, nervous, and cardiovascular system. It's a good refresher of high school human biology, which might be all that you are searching for. The last section on the Science Q&As is probably the most valuable and unique, as Swanson goes over studies related to yoga's effect on the body, mind, and spirit, linking spiritual concepts like the 8 limbs of yoga to observed effects on the body and mind.

The middle section is what everyone comes for, I think. Really fancy anatomical diagrams of a body in a pose, highlighting which muscles are actively engaged and which are stretching. These are very cool to look at, and are supplemented with notes on how to hold the pose, what to focus on, and variations for different emphasis. This is where the book is both too detailed and not detailed enough. For each of the 30 poses included, it includes diagrams of key muscles and joints and they are all labeled (!) so each diagram can be quite overwhelming with more than 50 labels or so for a given diagram. So, this would be a good thing, except I haven't been able to figure out how to use this practically. What I need when I'm examining a particular pose is a separated list of "what I'm engaging" and "what is stretching". When you just examine the diagrams it's hard to get a sense of what the primary focus is when many different muscles are colored "engaged". For example, in down dog, pretty much everything is engaged. But nobody has trouble engaging the legs, the hard part is rooting the hands to engage the arms and shoulders. For a "front-heavy" pose like Triangle, it's easy to focus on what the front leg and hands are doing, and the diagrams emphasize those areas appropriately, but the diagrams and the explanations miss out on highlighting the best stretch — if you root down the back leg you activate the back glute in a surprising and unintuitive but very rewarding move.

And the biggest drawback is, probably due to the fact that the individual asanas are so richly described, there are only 30. There's no chaturanga or figure 4 or goddess or peacock, fairly common poses. I guess the best idea for a book like these is to give you enough to intuit in a general sense what's going on, so that you don't have to reference every single pose (e.g., I guess you can generally figure out what's going on in chaturanga by referencing Plank and Cobra), but Swanson doesn't really hint at general principles that can help you learn the general idea of figuring out what muscles are engaging and so forth. While the asanas are divided into general posture categories (Seated, Standing, Inversion, and Floor) there is no cross-cutting category of "asanas that primarily work X region or Y muscle group", which would be a more practical division in planning sequences. For example it doesn't really seem useful to put Down dog (Inversion) in a separate category from Plank (Floor), since they so frequently co-occur right next to each other.

This is solidly a supplementary reference book. I would recommend it for the flanking sections briefly introducing the anatomical systems and the "science Q&As". You aren't really intended to read it front-to-back, since the middle section is simply rich, annotated anatomy diagrams. But the first and last sections are great reading. I would not recommend it as a first book on anatomy applied to yoga. It also won't do you any good if you don't already have an established practice (that is, this book will not help you actually DO yoga), as it tells you nothing about sequencing (e.g. Yoga Sequencing: Designing Transformative Yoga Classes). Asanas are presented in isolation which can be dangerous to some (e.g. entering Crow or Shoulderstand incorrectly can be very risky).

[Book Him Danno · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the last year I have been learning Yoga and Pilates because other forms of Fitness where out of the question. The second I saw this was available to read I though why not take a chance.
I wasn't disappointed this was what I needed to better understand the body and science behind Yoga. The Illustration or visuals help enhance the reading as well as guides the readers to understand their muscles and what is happening as they move though the motions.

This is a perfect for book for those who want to better understand and enjoy yoga in a different way.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a Copy of Ann Swanson science of Yoga

[January Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worried that you aren't doing poses quite right is the top reason many won't try Yoga. Yes, in class you will be shown, but many people would rather do it at home. This book helps you with that! You will easily learn the correct form by using this book as a tool.

[Ester Moya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great book with lovely illustrations. I would have liked to see the references to all the scientific research facts that are included in the book.

[Emmanuelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential bible in the 2nd part of the practice of Yoga (Hatha, Ashtanga, etc...) as much for those who attend classes (so are sometimes corrected by their Yoga teacher) as for those who don't have the time or the means to do so and therefore practice at home. The science of Yoga goes beyond the postures and here, our difficulties or our mistakes in practicing this or that type of asana will be explained with its variants on the basis of basic anatomical charts for each asana with the muscles engaged, engaged or stretched or at rest and the aspect seen with the magnifying glass of the asana (is there it's great, what are we trying to do with this posture and what are the tricks and the risks). So a complete guide for beginners and intermediates of this superb sport that radically transforms us and becomes as soon as we commit ourselves, very often, a lifestyle in its own right with all its spiritual, meditative aspects, its values and our relationships with others, with ourselves and sometimes even to the point of changing our diet, to contemplate the world around us with a different, perhaps more open and empathetic perspective because Yoga is above all discipline, perseverance and great respect for our own body (it is up to us to know how to listen to what it tells us through practice). You will understand it, I highly recommend this book where everything is about the transmission of knowledge.

French translation: Une bible incontournable dans le 2e volet de la pratique du Yoga (Hatha, Ashtanga, etc...) tant pour ceux qui assistent à des cours (donc sont corrigés parfois par leur professeur de Yoga) que ceux qui n'ont pas le temps ou les moyens de le faire et donc le pratique à la maison. La science du Yoga va au delà des postures et ici, nos diificultés ou nos erreurs à pratiquer tel ou tel type d'asanas les plus courants seront expliqués avec ses variantes sur la base: de planches anatomiques de base pour chaque asana avec les muscles engagés, engagés ou étirés ou au repos et l'aspect vu à la loupe de l'asanas (est là c'est génial, qu'est ce qu'on essaie de faire avec cette posture et quelles sont les astuces et les risques). Donc un guide complet pour débutants et intermédiaires de ce superbe sport qui nous transforme radicalement et devient dès que nous nous engageons, très souvent, un style de vie à part entière avec tous ses aspects spirituels, méditatifs, ses valeurs et nos relations aux autres, avec nous même et parfois même jusqu'à changer notre régime alimentaitre, de contempler le monde autour de nous avec un autre regard peut-être plus ouvert et plus empathique car le Yoga est avant tout de la discipline, de la persévérence et un très grand respect envers notre propre corps (à nous de savoir écouter ce qu'il nous dit à travers la pratique). Vous le comprendrez, je recommande vivement ce livre où tout est histoire de transmission de connaissances.

[Majka Lesňáková · Rating 5 out of 5]

To find this book helpful, you might need elementary knowledge of human anatomy, predominantly the muscular and the skeletal systems. Each asana is explained from a broad and a narrow perspective and accompanied with a detailed illustration of muscles being streteched and engaged,as well as of joint alignment. As the title suggests,it offers a scientific view of yoga, explains medical and mental benefits as supported by various studies. Yogic terminology can be easily understood even by complete beginners. This guide includes a Q&A section and a Cautions section which enumerates specific conditioms where certain asanas are to be practiced with respect to prevent injury. Highly recommended for yogis interested in the eight limbs of yoga to be practiced on and off the mat. Namaste 🙏

[Alberto Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy recomendable para todo aquel que practique yoga, especialmente si lo hace por su cuenta. Esta muy bien ilustrado con muchísimas imagenes a color y no es nada caro. La primera parte del libro, unas 30 páginas, es de anatomía. El resto del libro cubre bastantes posturas, dos páginas por cada una, con ilustraciones desde varios ángulos y consejos y variaciones dependiendo del nivel. Estaría bien que sacasen una segunda parte con más posturas.

[Anas Alrowaili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must say I picked the book without knowing what to expect and after finishing it I appreciate the effort the author has put to it to explain each pose what muscles do they work and how to be in perfect alignment.

As a personal trainer I appreciate the effort she placed to tackle Injuries and how yoga affect them when to do yoga under injury and when to modify or adjust

[Mehtap exotiquetv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dieses Buch hat anatomische Abbildungen der Asanas und erklärt genau welche Muskelgruppen in den einzelnen Ausführungen beansprucht werden.
Da der Fokus eher auf medizinischer und wissenschaftlicher Sicht liegt, finde ich dieses Buch sehr spannend. Auch wenn nicht alle Asanas abgebildet sind, kriegt man doch ein sehr gutes Verständnis darüber auf was man achten soll.
Im letzten Teil des Buches gibt es ein FAQ, dass auch noch mal auf interessante Fragen eingeht.

[Anna Abney Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to supplement my 200 hour yoga teacher training & it was fantastic! I look forward to referencing it again in the future.

[Ihor Kolesnyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Гарно ілюстрована книга, за якою можна краще зрозуміти фізіологію йоги. Екскурси у користь йоги від "науки" можна спокійно ігнорувати.

[Tara Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent graphics and explanations of the benefits of each pose. Helpful tips for meditation and well being.

[Iván Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoy os traigo un libro un poco diferente a lo que estáis acostumbrados: Anatomía del yoga.

📖 Este libro es una auténtica joya para cualquier practicante de yoga, tanto si lleváis tiempo en la práctica como si acabáis de empezar.

🔍 ¿Qué nos ofrece?
La primera parte es una introducción a la anatomía, pero siempre desde el punto de vista del yoga, lo que lo hace sumamente interesante y accesible. Después, el libro profundiza en las diferentes posturas: desde las sentadas hasta las de pie, pasando por inversiones y más.

Cada postura viene acompañada de ilustraciones impresionantes, donde se destacan:

Los músculos que se contraen
Los que se estiran
Los que se relajan
Además, incluye detalles sobre la alineación correcta y variaciones para adaptarse a diferentes niveles.
Y hay más: al final, encontramos una sección de preguntas y respuestas basada en evidencias científicas, explicando los beneficios del yoga respaldados por estudios. ¡Una maravilla!

Ojalá saquen una segunda parte con más posturas y contenido, porque este es uno de los libros más interesantes sobre yoga que he leído.

Si sois apasionados del yoga o estáis pensando en empezar, este libro es para vosotros.

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was overly detailed at some points and definitely left out some of the most common poses, but it did give me some pointers on how to modify or improve various poses. It was the first time that I read that most people's heels will not touch the ground in Downward Dog (I've been practicing yoga for over a decade now and kept wondering when I would be flexible enough for my heels to touch the ground, the answer is probably never and that is ok). The book also made me realize why I as a ciswoman do not enjoy standing with my feet together in mountain pose (too much pressure on the hip joints with female bone structure). There is apparently always something new to learn in yoga.

As I said above, the book was almost too detailed in places. The labels for all the muscles, joints, and ligaments got a little overwhelming on page after page. I loved DK books as a kid, but found this one difficult to follow with the all of the side boxes and captions. The format was also super repetitive, which is probably fine if you are just interested in using it as a reference for specific poses, but wasn't great if you are reading straight through.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science of Yoga is a beautifully illustrated, detailed examination of the practice of yoga and the benefits for all systems of the body. This is a must read for any yogi that has an interest in anatomy and the scientific evidence of the benefits of yoga.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on explaining the poses, benefits and affects on body. Interesting and informative!

[Ane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible graphics. I loved it, now I want to go practice all the poses

[Raffaello Palandri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book of the Day – Science of Yoga
Today’s Book of the Day is Science of Yoga, written by Ann Swanson in 2019 and published by DK.

Ann Swanson is a yoga therapist, teacher trainer, and expert in self-care. She has always written and taught about science, anatomy, and physiology.

I have chosen this book because I suggested it to a friend who asked for a book about Yoga physiology.

From this perspective, the book Science of Yoga delves deeply into the relationship between the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of human existence, offering a comprehensive exploration of the millenary practice of Yoga.

By seamlessly and smartly blending scientific research with traditional yogic wisdom, the author provides readers with a profound understanding of how yoga holistically enhances overall well-being.

One of the core themes explored in the book is the interconnectedness of the body and mind. Through scientific studies, the author demonstrates how Yoga can positively influence various physiological functions, such as improving cardiovascular health, enhancing flexibility, and reducing stress.

By engaging in regular practice, individuals can cultivate a greater sense of body awareness and coordination, leading to improved physical performance and overall vitality.

However, the book goes beyond the physical benefits of Yoga. It emphasizes the profound impact that the practice can have on mental and emotional well-being. Through techniques such as meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), and asanas (physical postures), Yoga offers tools for managing stress, anxiety, and depression.

By cultivating mindfulness and cultivating a sense of inner peace, practitioners can develop resilience and improve their overall quality of life.

Furthermore, the book also explores the spiritual dimension of Yoga. It delves into the concept of this practice as a path to self-realization and enlightenment. By aligning the body, mind, and spirit, individuals can tap into their inner potential and experience a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them. The author emphasizes the importance of cultivating a sense of gratitude, compassion, and non-judgment to foster spiritual growth and well-being.

One of the things I have appreciated about this book is how the author presented complex scientific concepts in a clear and accessible manner. She skillfully weaves together evidence from various fields, including neuroscience, physiology, and psychology, to illustrate how yoga holistically impacts our entire being.

For instance, the book explores the role of Yoga in reducing stress and anxiety, highlighting its influence on the nervous system and the reduction in the production of stress hormones.

Swanson delves into both the physiological benefits of yoga, such as improved flexibility, strength, and balance and its philosophical underpinnings.

In conclusion, Science of Yoga offers a compelling exploration of this ancient practice and its profound benefits for physical, mental, and spiritual health.

The book’s interdisciplinary approach is particularly valuable in providing a comprehensive understanding of Yoga. By drawing on insights from both traditional and scientific perspectives, the author offers a well-rounded exploration of the practice. This approach is particularly relevant in today’s world, where there is a growing demand for evidence-based approaches to improving health and enhancing overall well-being.

Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a curious beginner, this book offers valuable insights into the transformative power of Yoga.

[Sudhanshu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I always (well, January to March of this year) wondered what exactly is happening when I do certain asanas/poses. I still reminisce the blissful buzz post-yoga, a cocktail of chemicals combined with the sensation of your muscles finally relaxing. It's like having coffee for the first time after an extended break.

The first time I ever did yoga was junior year of high school, around the time where I was slowly getting into mindfulness. One round of Surya Namaskar completely winded me. There was no one else in my family or friend circle that knew anything about yoga. The internet was my companion. We had a shitty internet connection back then, so I just used this diagram from Google Images and did that first thing in the morning.

Kinda funny story: At the beginning of freshman year of college, I thought that the cylindrical yoga mat bags that people (mostly women) carried were engineering blueprint carriers. It's common to see those cylindrical engineering cases with students here in Asia. So, for a brief amount of time, I really thought Georgetown was killing it at #WomenInSTEM.

'Science of Yoga' was perfect - great diagrams, brief descriptions, and some cool Yoga facts along the way. It was a textbook-ish in style but still very accessible. An initial section on basic biological systems and then the rest of the reading focuses on seated, standing, inversion, and floor asanas. I made the mistake of reading this on my Kindle. I missed out on the colored diagrams for half of the book.

In many ways, reading this was just me trying to trick myself into practicing yoga consistently again. I suppose my initial mistake for the first quarter of 2021 was making yoga too much of a task-driven and YouTube-reliant activity. I love Adriene of 'Yoga with Adriene', but a class still feels like a class. It gets boring. After this, I feel more armed with facts about the specific effects of asanas and yoga as a whole on the mind-body. I can pick and choose from a library of poses.

The Supine Twist is life changing. Well, not really, but it's brilliant - it feels so good and I've added that to the few stretches that I do before bed now. King Pigeon pose if you're up for a challenge. I go for the Figure Four (Reclining Pigeon) - really good for your hip flexors. The Seated Twist is great as well.

I learned recently that one of the basic reasons that life forms develop brains is for complex movement. We have the most intricate brains on the planet - and it's not a coincidence that we're endowed with great dexterity. It's what mechanically allowed us to build all these tools. We're lucky that most of us are gifted with the ability to move. Why not take advantage of the gift? As you do some of these poses, I think there's something truly grounding about learning about how powerful your body can be. It's so easy to underestimate oneself. Idk man, other than this deep stuff I like the idea of yoga simply because it's a relief from sitting in front of a computer and typing all day. I'm just trying to connect to a more profound purpose to lasso myself back into an alternate-day yoga schedule.

I highly recommend 'Science of Yoga' for anyone curious. More than happy to share my PDF copy with anyone interested.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

BE SURE NOT TO CONFUSE THIS BOOK WITH THE OLDER "THE SCIENCE OF YOGA". This 'Science of Yoga' book is by Ann Swenson

Ann Swenson, in the forward of her book Science of Yoga, straightforwardly explains the reasons she wrote this book: Yoga research is in its infancy, but the quality and quantity of yoga research has increased, resulting in evidence of yoga's benefits. Ms Swenson's intention is to share research findings regarding yoga's effects on not only ones musculoskeletal system but all body systems.

The Asana (poses) section of the book guides exploration of what's going on inside the body while practicing yoga. Each of around 30 Asana has at least two views, eg, front and back; often, side views are provided. Red-, blue-, and purple-colored muscles clearly indicate what's being stretched or strengthened. This section is packed with details, both in print and diagramed.

Other sections of the book touch on aspects of human anatomy system beside the musculoskeletal, such as the lymphatic and immune systems, respiratory system, nervous system and so on, showing how other body systems are involved in a yoga practice. A questions and answers section briefly yet effectively addresses issues such as spinal care in yoga, yoga for different life stages, meditation, stress/mental well being, and chronic pain. This section even touches on yoga philosophy.

The book also includes a 'Cautions' section that can help a practitioner modify poses based on needs and health conditions. The book contains a table of contents (front), and a glossary and an index at the back.

Science of Yoga is very good at explaining that yoga is adaptable for pretty much everyone. Regardless if a practitioner is spiritual, religious, agnostic, or whatever, studies and research indicate and suggest that yoga can help one find better health, more peace.

I look forward to more from Ann Swenson. I'm counting on her continuing her amalgamation of research and studies that explain and prove (rather than "indicate" or "suggest") what she wisely presents in Science of Yoga.
BE SURE NOT TO CONFUSE THIS BOOK WITH THE OLDER "THE SCIENCE OF YOGA. This 'Science of Yoga' book is by Ann Swenson