Anatomy for Backbends and Twists: Yoga Mat Companion 3

this series of books is the best detailed info i've seen on the postures. There are 3 ways I understand poses here. Names are given for each muscle that either stretches or flexes, also pictures of said muscles in different hues of blue and red to show where intensity is, also the joints involed and the direction the muscles move the ligements. While it could be overwhelming for some there is a lot of growing room and so many details to continue to work towards better posture. Even the sugested vinyasa flow has some weight to how to order poses and it gives reference to the chakras. But what I really like is how scientific it seems. It even gives several variations that can be used for injuries or preparation for each pose. What I really like is how it details how to use reciprocal inhibition and the golgi tendon to go deaper into poses- which I might call a simple shift of awareness to push into the pain without getting hurt. As well as a heap of detail about creating bandhas via co-activation for stabelization. One thing I dont see is much detail to get into the individual poses. But you can get that from a number of other good books. Once you're in the basic pose this book will provide much detail to continue to explore, play and increase awareness and form. The 4 books in the series have minimal overlap and the portions that do use different poses for the examples. Definately check these out!

One of the "must have" book for every Yoga instructor or student.The quality of the paper, the drawings, the detail of the muscles, the clarity of the information,etc.Inside you'll find instructions to ace the final Asana, options for preparing it like another asanas or how to use props (like in Iyengar style).The book have a guide for muscles used in every asana or involved in it.

This book has helped me get deeper into backbends because it lays out all the muscles involved and what you should be tensing to be able to get the full benefit of each pose. It does not tell you how to get into the pose, but that was not the intended purpose of this book. It just breaks down the anatomy of each pose so as to help you get so much deeper into the stretch. I am pretty flexible and have been looking to get into contortion and this book was a great start because after reading it I really feel like I know what I'm doing even more than I did before. Well worth the money.

I am OBSESSED with these books! Be sure to get all four in the series, along with Ray Long's Scientific Keys. These are brilliant if you're a serious yoga student. If you're new to the practice, maybe get something a little more basic to start, and then buy all of these!

Back bends and twists are carefully broken down into detail so that they become accessible and safe and enjoyable. Solid reference and source for growth into full understanding of how these poses work. Thanks again Ray Long!!!! Essential for yoga teachers. Safety for the knees and back and how to minimize risk of injury are key. To compliment these teachings I would suggest study also of specific modifications for spinal and other joint disease or injury.

This series of books is just excellent. Possibly the best aspect is the use of colours to indicate which muscles stretch and which muscles contract in any pose. Having done yoga since 1975, I've read a lot of yoga books. These are some of the best.

This was again for my wife as she was finishing her Yoga teacher course.And she makes good use of the books I buy for her- says its very useful for her reference work.Very well written with good explanation she says.

Excellent reference. Has been indispensable for both my yoga practice as well as being an excellent reference for anatonical/figure drawings.

Very useful for amateur or professional practitioner of yoga. Pictures of postures and muscles used in the poses are very helpful in understanding and improving the asana. My only wish is that author had included in the text the common English names of some of the asanas. It is difficult enough trying to learn and remember the anatomical names of muscles and bones used in the text and images. When the author refers to other asanas when discussing a particular pose and he uses the original hindu names, I found myself scratching my head trying to recall what the particular pose or poses he was referring to. Or maybe I should just try to learn the correct names. 😕😕.

I am slowly buying each of the books from the series as they are so clear and well explained and put into normal language, I only wish I knew about them before......worth every penny!

Good content but suggest better to pay extra for paperback rather than kindle - though obviously much cheaper

Great resource, I am really enjoying reading this text.

One of the best books I have come across. Very informative and practical. It has really helped my practice and teaching.