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 with age-related memory loss, 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 artworks that show the mechanics, the angles, how your blood flow and respiration are affected, all 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 ashtanga, look no further than Science of Yoga to achieve technical excellence in your practice and optimise the benefits of yoga to your body and mind.
Author(s): Ann Swanson
Edition: 1
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
Year: 2019
Language: English
Pages: 218
City: New York
CONTENTS......Page 6
Preface......Page 8
HUMAN ANATOMY......Page 10
Cell to system......Page 12
Skeletal system......Page 14
Muscular system......Page 20
Nervous system......Page 24
Endocrine system......Page 30
Respiratory system......Page 32
Cardiovascular system......Page 36
Lymphatic system......Page 38
Digestive system......Page 40
Urinary system......Page 42
Reproductive system......Page 43
THE ASANAS......Page 44
SEATED ASANAS......Page 46
Accomplished Siddhasana......Page 48
Bound Angle Baddha Konasana......Page 52
Cat Marjaryasana......Page 56
Cow Bitilasana......Page 58
Cow Face Gomukhasana......Page 62
Side Bend Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana......Page 66
Seated Twist Ardha Matsyendrasana......Page 70
Child’s Pose Balasana......Page 74
Camel Ustrasana......Page 78
King Pigeon Eka Pada Rajakapotasana......Page 82
STANDING ASANAS......Page 86
Mountain Tadasana......Page 88
Forward Fold Uttanasana......Page 92
Chair Utkatasana......Page 96
Crescent Lunge Anjaneyasana......Page 100
Warrior II Virabhadrasana II......Page 104
Warrior III Virabhadrasana III......Page 108
Tree Vrksasana......Page 112
Dancer Natarajasana......Page 116
Triangle Trikonasana......Page 120
INVERSION ASANAS......Page 124
Downward-Facing Dog Adho Mukha Svanasana......Page 126
Headstand Sirsasana......Page 130
Half Shoulderstand Ardha Sarvangasana......Page 134
Bridge Setu Bandhasana......Page 138
Wheel Urdhva Dhanurasana......Page 142
FLOOR ASANAS......Page 146
Crow Bakasana......Page 148
Plank Kumbhakasana......Page 152
Side Plank Vasisthasana......Page 156
Cobra Bhujangasana......Page 160
Locust Salabhasana......Page 164
Supine Leg Stretch Supta Padangusthasana......Page 168
Supine Twist Supta Matsyendrasana......Page 172
Q&AS......Page 176
Joints and flexibility......Page 178
Spinal care......Page 180
Life stages......Page 182
Meditation......Page 186
Savasana......Page 188
Stress......Page 190
The brain and mental well-being......Page 194
Chronic pain......Page 196
Yoga therapy......Page 198
Transformation......Page 200
On the frontiers of science......Page 202
Cautions......Page 204
Glossary......Page 208
Index......Page 210
Bibliography......Page 216
About the author and acknowledgments......Page 218
