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

Description

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. 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