Functional Anatomy of Yoga A Guide for Practitioners and Teachers

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.