by Dr. Abigail Ellsworth
Published September 23, 2010

Yoga is a great way to bend and stretch and wake up the body.  Because the poses are so gentle and flowing it is easy to create a routine that will suite your needs.  Whether you suffer from a debilitating injury, suffer from body pain, back ache, or other, there are enough yoga poses for men, women and youth of all ages.

I love the illustrations and the accompanying diagrams that show exactly what muscles are being used with each of the poses.  This is definitely one of those reference books that will remain in my personal library for many years.

Here is what the publisher has to say about this book.

Yoga teachers and students can use this book as a visual reference to the muscles that are engaged by specific yoga poses. Each pose is shown in a full-color photograph opposite a detailed and annotated anatomical drawing that identifies the active and stabilizing muscles being used. By identifying affected muscles, practitioners can maximize the benefits of each pose and even design a personalized yoga routine that focuses on their specific problem areas.

Anatomy of Yoga explains the basics of yoga, breathing and the spine, concentrating on the body's core musculature. It covers:

• Yoga warm-up
• Standing poses
• Forward bends
• Back bends
• Seated and twisted poses
• Poses that balance arms
• Inversions
• Restorative poses
• Sequences, such as sun salutation

  There are numerous asides, including "best for" information boxes that describe the muscles that work the most during each pose. Tip boxes give hints on safety and form and outline the target muscles for and benefits of each pose. The author also suggests creative ways to modify the intensity of an exercise.

  Anatomy of Yoga is an expert guide that is extremely useful for anyone interested in enhancing a personal yoga fitness routine. It will also interest yoga instructors who want a visual aid that clearly illustrates the benefits of each exercise.

To view publisher’s book overview and other book reviews or to order – go to: www.amazon.ca or www.amazon.com