The Key Muscles of Yoga: Scientific Keys, Volume I Paperback – Illustrated, November 1, 2009

This should be a must read for all yoga instructors. If you don't know and understand the muscle structure of the body, then you shouldn't be teaching yoga. Clear, precise and so much information, along with excellent illustrations.

This book is incredible!!! I decided that I want to do yoga teacher training in a year or two, and I wanted some books to help me start to prepare/expand on what I already know.A couple years ago, I had looked through "Yoga Anatomy," but it wasn't really what I had expected. I was searching around for other yoga anatomy-type books, and I saw the high reviews for this one. I purchased it, along with Volume 2, and WOW, I am SO impressed! I teach high school anatomy, so I have some anatomy background; this book helped me review what I know and helped build off that. For someone new to anatomy, I am guessing that this book is perfect as well--all of the information is so clear and well-explained. The pictures are awesome and really help you see the muscles and how they work--something that is very important during yoga (if you know where a muscle is and how it should be moving, it makes poses that much deeper).Volume 1 focuses on the muscles--their actions, insertions, origins; what they do as a prime mover, their antagonists, and synergists. It shows key poses that use the muscle, ways to really awaken the muscle, and limitations that the muscle causes if it is tight. There is a really nice introduction at the beginning of the book to all of the vocabulary terms, in case you don't know what they mean. Along the way in the book, there are short quizzes that you can use to test your new anatomy knowledge. At the end of the book is some general yoga information on breathing, bandhas, chakras, etc. It's a really nice introduction to everything!I'm excited to read Volume 2 next. The difference between the two books is that Volume 2 is the "Key Poses" of yoga, whereas Volume 1 is the "Key Muscles" of yoga. Just from flipping through Volume 2, I can tell that it'll be just as good as Volume 1!! These two books operate great as a set for anyone interested in expanding their knowledge for personal reasons, or learning because they plan to teach, or learning just because they are interested in anatomy.There are also four other books in the line--"Yoga Mat Companion"--focusing on groups of poses (inversions/backbends, vinyasa flow, etc.). I'm definitely buying those next!HIGHLY recommended!!!!

Interesting book about muscles used in yoga. People who do yoga would probably like it.

I am a beginning yoga student and came across this book to better learn the functions of the muscles, bones, and cartilages that provide the movement and alignment in this ancient science. The graphics in the book are beyond the normal photos you may come across in anatomy texts. Colorful drawings, well done, are mostly artistic renderings of each of the 'prime movers' in the body and really help the student or the practitioner understand what is happening 'under the skin' while performing the asana. The Key Muscles of Yoga is part of a larger series of books, dedicated to the understanding of how the body works while held in various yoga positions. I really like the series (I the Vinyasa Flow and Standing Poses too). You will keep this book will be your mat companion and will help deepen your poses.

Wonderful resource to enhance one’s personal practice and to provide the connection between our anatomy and our yoga journey. Useful tool, to express the conscious and unconscious effects of our breath.

Book arrived beat up and bent.

Great for yoga instructors and anyone wanting to learn about anatomy and alignment.

This is one of the best gross muscular anatomy books I have found. The illustrations are excellent, the text clear. In particular, if you are a yoga practitioner, it will expose for you the muscles that are in tension, and those that should be in relaxation, in various poses. It is also valuable if you are curious about drawing the human figure.It may be that the book is for physical or massage therapists, or yoga teachers, but it's useful even for curious amateurs such as myself. It sits on our coffee table, I leaf through it every so often. Had I more time, I would work through the names and eventually memorize what moves this bag of skin and bones (and, of course, organs, nails, teeth and emotion). Even without, a hasty review can be helpful, as what's noticed remains in memory for at least a 90-minute yoga session.