Customer Reviews

Scientific Keys Volume 1: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga

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A decent yoga instructor must have a good knowledge of the human anatomy in order to be effective. Knowing how the body moves is essential to understanding how to work with different bodies/issues.

It can be a mindboggling and overwhelming topic for anyone - and although there are some good anatomy books on the market for yoga instructors (Anatomy of Yoga by H. David Coulter in particular), these books can be rather dry. As a visual learner, I found it dreadful to try and understand the body, in specific to hatha yoga, through the small number of attainable books - which is not a critique on the books, mind you - I simply need to "see" what I am being told.

Thankfully, this book is now available for those of us who need more than words to learn. "The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga" is a colorfully illustrated book - detailing important muscles and how they relate to hatha yoga. The pictures dramatically represent a human skeleton with specific muscles in different yoga poses - giving the reader a clear view as to how and why the muscles are working. This knowledge is key to developing a safe and effective yoga program.

This is a unique book that is very educational. It is certainly helping me to be more informed. If you want to get an idea of what this book contains, the authors have set up a website that gives a glimpse into the book's content: www.bandhayoga.com.

You won't be disappointed with this fine volume. I can't wait to see what other gems these authors have in mind.

Do not let the price of this book put you off. It is as invaluable to the serious yoga student (and to any yoga teacher) as David Coulter's 'Anatomy of Hatha Yoga' -- and it proves, page after page after page, the wisdom of the saying "A picture is worth 1,000 words."

Except, in the case of this book, the pictures are the most amazing drawings of the skeleton and the relevant muscle groups.

For those who want (or need) to know how specific yoga postures affect specific joints, ligaments and muscles, this book is a godsend.

It obvious that Dr. Long, the book's author, is not only highly skilled in anatomy, but he has a rare appreciation for yoga and how to work with each muscle group in the body. More importantly, he can (with the aid of Chris McIvor's unique and fascinating drawings) communicate his knowledge clearly and memorably.

If stranded on a desert island with only two or three yoga books, I would want this book to be one of them. It is that good, that instructive.

A couple of years ago I injured my Rotator Cuff Muscles and while going through physical rehabilitation of my shoulder, I wanted to continue a safe Yoga practice rountine. I purchased a copy of Dr.Ray Long's book "Scientific Keys Volume I - The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga" and happily it was just the informtion that I needed to safely guide my practice. The book is clearly written, easy to understand with factual information about the key muscles of the body. The book breaks the body down into three parts (The Pelvic Girdle and Thighs, The Trunk and The shoulder Girdle, and The Upper Arms). Each part is then broken down into 'bite size' pieces of information related to the topical part. The sections are made more interesting by the wonderful illustrations of Chris Macivor. Each part of the body being discussed is illustrated and highligted. It is than made more understandable by illustrating Yoga poses that correlate to that body part. A wonderful book for those of us that have no medical training but need to know more about the muscles of the body and would like to have a book that invites us to read it because it is fun and attractive as well as a wonderful reference book.

As a yoga teacher I found this book as a very valuable tool to understand and explain to students what muscles are involved in the asanas. Drawings are amazing !!! Not as deep as anatomy of hatha yoga but it is easier to use in a practic way. Look for some pictures directly in the printer website.

As a future teacher of yoga I found idea of such book absolutely incredible. I even had in mind of writing something like that myself. Models are great in this book. But, I wish it is organized more differently, in a way that each asana shows muscle involvement regarding to its intensity and role (agonist, antagonist, isometric support, and so on). That way I would find the book extremely useful, as it would help me target my exercises with greater efficiency.

This is a nice book but not a good buy at about $50! Nice pictures that you might look at again sometime in the future but not much info if you want a reference for Yoga.
What is needed in the Yoga community is a book like "Strength Training Anatomy" By Frederic Delavier.( at about $15 this is THE BOOK to have in your collection!!) Detailing Yoga asanas that work the various muscle groups.

I am not into Hatha Yogs but I do enjoy the knowledge gained from this book. The postures and the purpose of the postures are essential to your success in Yoga. I have not seen a book out there like this one

The best anatomy book I've bought so far. A must have for any fitness/pilates/yoga instructor or personal trainer. Should be required reading!

This is an excellent anatomy book for Yoga Teachers. The pictures are amazingly detailed and the knowledge of these authors is unsurpassed in my opinion.

This is a great book to understand anatomy in relation to Yoga. It is not a Yoga practice book though like Light on Yoga. But as an anatomy book it is the best I have seen on this specific subject.

The $50 you have to shell out is a little intimidating, but if you're absolutely confused by the technicality of other anatomy books this is an amazing book to have. I've been studying anatomy (classes and on my own) in order to deepen my practice and I have not come across anything better - book or video - in terms of simple, clear, straight to the point visual aids.

If you're looking for in-depth knowledge, go somewhere else. But if you're looking for a basic understanding or clarity this is a great resource to have.