Functional Anatomy of Yoga: A Guide for Practitioners and Teachers

by David Keil

A full-color illustrated exploration of the body in motion during yoga practice

• Examines anatomical patterns and body mechanics in specific asanas, such as forward bends, twists, external hip rotations, arm balances, and back bends, to inspire confidence in students, deepen practice, and prevent injury

• Provides detailed images and photos overlaid with anatomical diagrams, allowing you to see clearly what is happening within each asana discussed

• Explores how various yoga postures interrelate from the perspective of functional anatomy

In this full-color illustrated guide, David Keil brings the anatomy of the body in yoga asanas to life. Writing in an accessible, conversational tone, he outlines how practitioners and yoga teachers alike can utilize a deeper understanding of their anatomy and its movement and function to deepen their yoga practice, increase confidence, prevent injury, and better understand their students and their challenges.

Providing detailed images and photos overlaid with anatomical diagrams, allowing you to see clearly what is happening within each asana discussed, Keil shows how the muscles, joints, tendons, and structure of the body work together to support integrated movement. He discusses the basics of functional anatomy, exploring the workings of the foot and ankle, the knee, the hip joint, the pelvis and SI joint, the spine, the shoulder, and the hand, wrist, and elbow. He examines anatomical patterns and body mechanics in specific asanas, such as forward bends, twists, external hip rotations, arm balances, and back bends, such as, for example, how a wide-legged forward bend shifts the position of the femur and the pelvis, allowing students with tight hamstrings to accomplish a deep forward bend--something they struggle with when the legs are together. Keil also shows how various yoga postures interrelate from the perspective of functional anatomy.

Revealing in detail how everything in the body is connected and how your anatomy functions holistically during yoga practice, this book helps you to understand the body better and connect and integrate yoga postures in a completely new way.

Genres: Nonfiction

328 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2023

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the most engaging and applicable yoga anatomy books I have read. I found it very applicable to my Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training as the author has trained in the Ashtanga method. Very informative and I enjoyed the pictures as well. They helped to demonstrate the instruction.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great anatomy course!
There is online content that really pulls it all together.

[Michele Piskol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazingly comprehensive and so useful in my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training! I would recommend to anyone in yoga training.

[Casey Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading for YTT and honestly ??? loved it. So lively and refreshing compared to grad school anatomy. Gave me a greater appreciation for my body and my practice

[Kristina Kudryavtseva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of my yoga teacher training preparation. Very insightful, practical and complicated at some places. I will probably come back to it chapter by chapter when working on specific postures.