Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers and Practitioners

By combining the instruction of how to perform the various yoga asanas with all the medical explanations and nomenclature that you would expect, this book is able to demystify yoga. I didn't doubt yoga before, but this book gives me extra belief that it is working.

The book is thorough in explaining variants of many positions. Almost each is illustrated. This is invariable when, either, you find a position too hard or ineffective, or you are becoming adept at a position to the point where it is too easy for you. In either case, the book is easy to use to adapt one's practice to suit.

With illustrations and instructions on the various positions and the actual physical anatomy of the body, the book begins with movement and posture, thereafter covering breathing, before moving on to abdominopelvic exercises, standing posutres, backbending postures, forward bending postures, and twisting postures. A chapter each is devoted to the headstand and shoulderstand, followed by a chapter on relaxation and meditation. The book also comes with a good glossary of anatomical terms, the book also covers the contraindications (don't dos) for various medical conditions.


all the detail about Hatha you will ever need.   May 25, 2005
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

Coming from a medical back ground I was keen to get down to the anatomical details of Hatha having practised it for two years. This book is heavy going for the beginner but a great deal of info is included for those with a curious mind keen to know the true inner workings of Yoga.


A wonderful approach to physiological aspects of Yoga   November 7, 2002
75 out of 83 found this review helpful

This book is essential for those who are really willing to know what is behind each posture and each exercise of the yoga practice. It analyses, illustratevely, the physical benefits and functionality of every physical movement in yoga. It is speciallized in Hatha Yoga, one of the very interesting sub divisions of the great Raja Yoga. Great manual indeed... Worthy purchasing it. I'm happy with mine in my mini library at home.. ;)