A Physiological Handbook for Teachers of Yogasana (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: physical aging, western exercise, receptor adaptation, Reflex Actions, Skeletal Muscle, Muscle Sensors (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a must for students of yoga who wish to make correlations between asana and modern biomedical science. -- Yoga International, January 2003

[A] treasure trove for anyone who has an interest in Yoga therapy ... [It] will soon be recognized as a classic. -- International Journal of Yoga Therapy, No. 12 (2002)

Product Description

Western doctors make quantitative, objective observations on the bodies and the minds of others, and from such experiments are able to construct a general model of the body/mind. On the other hand, Eastern Yogis make qualitative, subjective observations of their own bodies and minds, yielding a model of the body/mind with little or no apparent relevance to that of the Western Doctor. This Handbook attempts to reconcile these two points of view, discussing many basic aspects of physiology and then applying these ideas to the practice of the yogasanas, as well as pointing out many phenomena well known to yogis, for which Western medicine has only a feeble explanation.

In the course of this study, many interesting questions are raised, and answers are put forth using modern concepts. We discuss questions such as, How can inversions lower blood pressure? Why are backbends energizing? If one has a heart condition, what is the best time of day to practice yogasana? How does yogasana practice blur the line between the conscious and the subconscious? Can practicing in colored lights intensify the physiological effects of various yogasanas? How can one balance in yogasanas without leaning against the wall? Why must one turn the femur of the forward leg outward in trikonasana but inward in parsvottanasana? Answers to these and many other questions can be found in this Handbook.

Product Details

• Paperback: 652 pages
• Publisher: Fenestra Books (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587360330
• ISBN-13: 978-1587360336
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #221,935 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

120 of 122 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise, informed, relevant., February 17, 2003

By	Dwight Newton (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

If you're like me, you will think long and hard about buying this book. At first glance, it's likely to appear as yet another anatomy/physiology book with a yoga bent (pun intended).

Not so.

It is, instead, an attempt to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western approaches to the human body and consciousness while not taking one "side" or the other. In fact, it attempts to reconcile the two approaches by showing how closely they parallel one another and how observing yoga from both perspectives can lead to a greater understanding than embracing either alone.

Dr. Robin (Ph. D., not M.D.) very clearly knows what he's talking about from both directions, and presents it in a way that's quite accessible. I was particularly impressed by the fact that I didn't have to dig through the book, reading between the lines and familiarizing myself with a lot of medical jargon to understand what my spine was doing during backbends -- the book just tells you! Although the book definitely does its job in presenting the major concepts of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, etc. these are always in service to the subject of yoga asanas (yogasana).

This book is truly a labor of love and has proven to be the best source of information about the relationship between yoga asana practice and the structure of the human body that I have seen so far including the excellent The Anatomy of Hatha Yoga by Coulter (also recommended -- but I'd give Robin's work a try first).

In summary -- for the yoga practitioner seeking a deeper understanding of the human body within the context of physical yoga practice, this is worth the cover price many, many times over.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Physiological Handbook for Teachers of Yogasana, March 25, 2006

By	Manfred W. Dobbeck "yoguy" (Albuquerque New Mexico) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a well written book for yoga teachers who want to learn more about the human body and how it works. The author chose to make many of the descriptions of anatomy or physical functions relevant to specific yoga asanas (poses) to help illustrate the point and increase understanding. It's not a book to read front to back like a novel. Rather, it's best use is to find and understand specific body functions and how they relate to yoga.

6 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, May 12, 2004

By	Carolyn Mupo (NJ United States) - See all my reviews

I was taught by Mel at Studio Yoga. He is the best Yoga teacher I have had to date! His book is as great as his teaching. If you want a clear precise view on Yoga buy this book. He will teach you right and how not to get hurt.