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Yoga Anatomy Kindle Edition

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,645 ratings

The best-selling anatomy guide for yoga is now updated, expanded, and better than ever!

With more asanas, vinyasas, full-color anatomical illustrations, and in-depth information, the second edition of YogaAnatomy provides you with a deeper understanding of the structures and principles underlying each movement and of yoga itself.

From breathing to inversions to standing poses, see how specific muscles respond to the movements of the joints; how alterations of a pose can enhance or reduce effectiveness; and how the spine, breathing, and body position are all fundamentally linked.

Whether you are just beginning your journey or have been practicing yoga for years, Yoga Anatomy will be an invaluable resource—one that allows you to see each movement in an entirely new light.

With Yoga Anatomy, Second Edition, authors Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews, both internationally recognized experts and teachers in anatomy, breathing, and bodywork, have created the ultimate reference for yoga practitioners, instructors, and enthusiasts alike.

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Yoga Anatomy
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Leslie Kaminoff is a yoga educator inspired by the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar, one of the world's foremost authorities on the therapeutic uses of yoga. Leslie is the founder of The Breathing Project, a New York City educational nonprofit organization dedicated to the teaching of individualized breath-centered yoga.

An internationally recognized specialist with over 32 years’ experience in the fields of yoga and breath anatomy, Kaminoff has led workshops for many of the leading yoga associations, schools, and training programs in the United States. He has also helped to organize international yoga conferences and has actively participated in the ongoing national debate regarding certification standards for yoga teachers and therapists.

Kaminoff has been a featured yoga expert in publications such as Yoga Journal and The New York Times, as well as online at WebMD, FoxNews Online, and Health.com. He is the founder of the highly respected international yoga blog eSutra, coauthor of the best-selling first edition of Yoga Anatomy, and creator of the DVD Breath-Centered Yoga with Leslie Kaminoff and the highly successful online course yogaanatomy.net. He resides in New York City and Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Amy Matthews has been teaching movement since 1994. She is a certified Laban movement analyst, a Body–Mind Centering teacher, and an infant developmental movement educator. She is registered with ISMETA (International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association) as a somatic movement therapist and educator, and with IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists).

Matthews coteaches the Body–Mind Centering and yoga programs in California and New York City for the School for Body-Mind Centering. She was on the faculty of the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies for 10 years. Together, Matthews and Kaminoff lead The Breathing Project's advanced studies program for movement professionals committed to extending their professional skills and knowledge.

Matthews integrates somatic practices and yoga in her private practice as a movement educator, and she teaches embodied anatomy and movement workshops for programs in the United States, Canada, Israel, Ireland, England, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Japan. Matthews coauthored the first edition of Yoga Anatomy. She currently resides in New York City.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0076DDI8A
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Human Kinetics; 2nd edition (April 12, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 12, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 9.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 446 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,645 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4,645 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides detailed explanations of muscles and joints involved in yoga poses. They appreciate the excellent illustrations and pictures. The book is written in a way that is easy for laymen to understand, with clear language. Readers consider it a good value for money, with a spiral bound version available for a fair price. The organization is described as organized, with reference charts listing joints and muscles. The book also shows how to stretch to keep your body flexible.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

372 customers mention "Information quality"331 positive41 negative

Customers find the book provides detailed explanations of muscles and joints involved in yoga poses. They say it helps them understand their practice better and the purpose of yoga. The book is described as informative and useful for yoga instructors.

"Greater understanding of poses" Read more

"...but it has enough detail and anatomy to be a great value for any student wanted more details on poses, or for any teacher trying to design classes..." Read more

"...Now that I have finished the book I have a much deeper understanding of my practice and the purpose/roots of yoga...." Read more

"...This book does a great job of showing how yoga works with the internal structures of the human body." Read more

151 customers mention "Illustrations"140 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the illustrations in the book. They find the pictures clear and descriptive, showing where movement takes place. The book provides anatomical cues and structure for sequencing classes.

"...The illustrations are with enough color and detail to enhance the written portion, but not so much so that they're distracting or visually..." Read more

"...This book is information heavy but it does make up with images you can easily study and visualize later as you move into poses...." Read more

"...It is easy to read and understand and has great visuals." Read more

"Combined with the text, the illustrations are invaluable it locating the muscle or muscle groups that a yoga leader is trying to reach...." Read more

79 customers mention "Ease of reading"67 positive12 negative

Customers find the book well-written and organized. They appreciate the clear explanations in a language that is easy to understand. The illustrations and pronunciation guides for Sanskrit words enhance the written portion. Overall, readers find the book accessible and doesn't become too complex.

"...The illustrations are with enough color and detail to enhance the written portion, but not so much so that they're distracting or visually..." Read more

"I love anatomy and yoga and this book was so well written that it became an immediate favorite...." Read more

"...It is easy to read and understand and has great visuals." Read more

"...At the same time it's a very accessible book. It has helped me get a better understanding of breathing and how critical it is to good practice...." Read more

13 customers mention "Value for money"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers good value for money. They appreciate the spiral-bound version, the fair price, and the handwritten thank you note. The book is informative and accessible on a kindle.

"...but it has enough detail and anatomy to be a great value for any student wanted more details on poses, or for any teacher trying to design classes..." Read more

"...Worth the money and I love the spiral bound version." Read more

"...It is also very reasonably priced and small enough to have lying next to you for a reference during your workout...." Read more

"Delivered fast and as described! Super happy with this order. The price was fair and I always appreciate a hand written thank you note! :)" Read more

8 customers mention "Organization"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's organization. They find it well-drawn and organized, with sections like standing poses, seated poses, and easy reference charts for joints and muscles. The second edition includes a reorganization of chapters based on asana types.

"...which muscles are activated in any given pose and easy reference charts for each listing joints and which muscles are being stretched and contracted..." Read more

"...The 2nd edition is great. More information and a change up in the layout of the book...." Read more

"...The Second edition involves a reorganization/reclassification of chapters base upon Asana types and also the digital portability...." Read more

"...The book is broken down into sections: (i.e: standing poses, seated poses, etc.)..." Read more

8 customers mention "Stretchability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for stretching. It shows how muscles move and stretch, and points out specific muscles.

"...I got the idea of doing any spinal twisting or bending vertebrae by vertebrae, as much as I can distinguish anyway...." Read more

"...it gives a deeper understanding as to why yoga and stretching is so good for you and your muscles. A must have for any yogi or athlete." Read more

"...a great informative book on how certain poses affect and stretch and tighten the muscles and which joints are affected as well. I highly recommend it." Read more

"...to bodybuilding collection showing all the moves and stretching to keep your body flexable." Read more

Great yoga book!  Recommend spiral bound
5 out of 5 stars
Great yoga book! Recommend spiral bound
Extremely useful yoga guide which helped me understand anatomically where i was supposed to be feeling the poses. If you have the extra money, the spiral bound version of this book is super useful since you can easily read it while practicing.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2024
    Greater understanding of poses
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2015
    This is the third in this series I've purchased (Pilates and Dance prior to this), and it's as clear, concise and accurate as it's previous counterparts. The writing style is succinct and not too intense for the casual reader to understand (it's not a medical jargon book, for sure!) but it has enough detail and anatomy to be a great value for any student wanted more details on poses, or for any teacher trying to design classes around body groups or injuries. For anyone wanting to know the exact breakdown of a great number of poses, this is a must have! I wish it had been a required read during my teacher training, the amount of info it contains is fabulous, considering its small size! This means I can tuck it in my bag and if a student has a question regarding a pose or injury, I'm a quick consult away from being able to better explain safety and modifications in their practice.

    The illustrations are with enough color and detail to enhance the written portion, but not so much so that they're distracting or visually overwhelming. The illustrator clearly knew what the intention of the book was, and stayed consistent and precise throughout.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2017
    I love anatomy and yoga and this book was so well written that it became an immediate favorite. I found myself in awe several times at the insights I found within its pages and eagerly shared those insights with my partner who is much less inclined to read (and who would be incredibly lost reading this information intensive book).
    Now that I have finished the book I have a much deeper understanding of my practice and the purpose/roots of yoga. I am able to be mindful of what is happening within my body as I move through each pose, which I am certain helps keep me safer and progressing faster.
    For example, the conversation about breathing and shape change allowed me to fully connect my breath to movement and I finally understood what ujjayi pranayama meant and how to do it.
    Although the terminology may be overwhelming if you have never studied any anatomy, for me it was perfect and the precision of the language really helped me grasp what the book was describing.
    This would also be a wonderful book for anyone who wishes to teach yoga! When yogi instructors talk about the healing power of each pose I often find myself marveling at the lack of basic anatomical understanding (I was once told that Eagle helps massage the pituitary gland O.O). This text would quickly remedy any confusion while helping create accurate descriptions of what is really going on during each pose.

    By far the best yoga book I have purchased (so far). I look forward to revisiting it as grow in my practice and know I will learn something new each time I do.
    69 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2025
    Fantastic. Book bought it over 12 years ago. Still look at it.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2017
    I have been doing yoga on and off for several years and still consider myself a beginner. I know many of the basics and intermediate poses and stretches for a good session. I recently noticed I was not getting the normal feeling/ "burn" from my sessions and wondered about if I was still doing poses correctly. I was screwing around on Amazon for a new yoga book and came across Yoga anatomy. I was curious so I bought it. This book is information heavy but it does make up with images you can easily study and visualize later as you move into poses. I think in my case I was doing the poses correctly but I was not moving in anslower and more mindful pace that worked the muscles that should be utilized in each pose. This was a surprisingly helpful book that has help me get more out of my sessions.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2023
    I’m loving the anatomy part of my yoga teacher training. This book does a great job of showing how yoga works with the internal structures of the human body.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2022
    All yoga teacher should have this book. I’ve been teaching yoga for 20 years and recently took a another advanced yoga teacher training, for 300 hours. My teacher recommended this book and it far exceeds any of the other books in my yoga library. It is easy to read and understand and has great visuals.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2015
    Reading this book, I feel like I'm in graduate school for yogis. Meaning, when you're in grammar school, subjects are presented in relatively simple terms. ('your knee bone's connected to your thigh bone') But when you go to high school, you learn things at a deeper level. In college, you learn that there are even more points of view, and in grad school you're really digging for the richest possible level of understanding. That's what Kaminoff and Matthews do in this book, they dig deep and share the gold with you.

    They teach you (as a yoga teacher) not to rely on misleading pat phrases like 'breath from the belly,' and make sure you understand what where the the truth lies. That said, if you're like me, you may have to read passages a couple of times, or more to grasp exactly what they're saying.

    This is a very intelligent presentation of breath, the spine and anatomy for yoga teachers and those who want a deeper understanding.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • liliana cifuentes muriel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy bueno
    Reviewed in Mexico on October 3, 2021
    Muy buen libro, maravillosas ilustraciones.
  • Vsp
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Book
    Reviewed in India on December 2, 2024
    Very informative book for yoga students. Very nicely explained Anatomy with every Aasna.
  • Svetlana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best anatomy book for yoga schools
    Reviewed in Germany on July 5, 2021
    I would wish the yoga schools where I received my yoga certificates, teach anatomy by this book!
    I have "disassembled" this book into many separate thematic files for my practical work with students!
    Excellent book! I really recommend it.
  • Sherisse
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift for a yogi/massage therapist.
    Reviewed in Canada on January 29, 2019
    I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my best friend who is a yogi, but also a massage therapy student. She is in the middle of trying to learn about every muscle in the human body and this book is a great companion and helpful learning tool. It goes into great depth about exactly which muscles in the body are used during poses and the diagrams are beautiful, detailed, and clear. This book is perfect for any individual who does yoga, but is also interested in learning anatomy.
  • Laura B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Completo e ben fatto
    Reviewed in Italy on April 21, 2020
    Spedizione e condizioni del prodotto impeccabili.
    Il libro è in lingua inglese, e tratta di vari argomenti come:
    Respiro, sistema muscolare e scheletrico, varie posizioni.
    Le immagini sono veramente ben fatte.
    Per ogni asana vengono indicati i muscoli interessati e la loro azione.
    Customer image
    Laura B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Completo e ben fatto

    Reviewed in Italy on April 21, 2020
    Spedizione e condizioni del prodotto impeccabili.
    Il libro è in lingua inglese, e tratta di vari argomenti come:
    Respiro, sistema muscolare e scheletrico, varie posizioni.
    Le immagini sono veramente ben fatte.
    Per ogni asana vengono indicati i muscoli interessati e la loro azione.
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer image

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