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A review by squid_vicious
Science of Yoga: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect Your Practice by Ann Swanson
5.0
After finding “Yoga Anatomy” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2979778639) 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/2979778639). 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/2980532302) and “The Heart of Yoga” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3141447777).
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.
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/2979778639). 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/2980532302) and “The Heart of Yoga” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3141447777).
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.