Foreword to the Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga Book

‘Applied Anatomy & Physiology of Yoga’ is intended to be used by yoga teachers and yoga practitioners. Anyone who uses stretching, strengthening, breathing and other yoga-like exercises as part of their health regime will also benefit. It can be read on its own as a whole or may be used as a reference text.

This book was designed as the main text for our course YOGA SYNERGY Applied Anatomy & Physiology of Hatha Yoga: Course for Teachers & Students. Our full course is run annually in Sydney from May to August. Shorter forms of the course are run throughout the year in other cities and overseas.

This book has evolved from notes created in India in 1994 to supplement the first year of our course. Attendance at the course is encouraged for those who can. This book aims to stand alone and does not require course attendance.

This book includes a study or revision of the basic anatomy and physiology required to understand yoga. The main emphasis is on the practical or applied aspects of anatomy and physiology theory. In other words, the main purpose of this book is to use an understanding of basic anatomy and physiology to:

• enhance one’s yoga practice
• improve one’s ability to increase strength, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness and inner
  wellbeing
• minimise the risk of injuries as a result of yoga practice
• help to use hatha yoga to recover from a variety of musculoskeletal injuries and medical conditions.

Testimonials

This text presents a wealth of knowledge for yoga practitioners and teachers as well as anyone interested in understanding the impact of yoga on the physical body.
Professor Marc Cohen, Professor of Complementary Medicine, RMIT University

The depth of information and knowledge in ‘Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga’ is breath taking. Highly recommended.
International Yoga Teachers Association Journal

‘Applied Anatomy & Physiology of Yoga’ provides yoga teachers and students with clear explanations and instructions which they can use in their own teaching and practice. The information is presented in a well-illustrated, engaging way that succeeds in making anatomy and physiology relevant to the practice of yoga.
Liz Bennett BAppSc, Physiotherapist and Yoga Teacher

This book serves as a valuable resource which demonstrates how, with knowledge of applied anatomy, yoga can be used effectively as a therapy.
Melanie Gallagher BSc, Physiotherapist

The Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga book teaches the yogi’s ‘suit-of-armour’, the nine bandhas or body locks that take the danger out of yoga.
Jon Gould, Director, Yoga Alchemy