This illustrated handbook attempts to reconcile the quantitative, objective observations of Western Medicine with the qualitative, subjective observations of Eastern Yoga.

An excellent resource for teachers and students of yogasana, medical professionals, and bodywork practitioners, A Handbook for Yogasana Teachers presents novel aspects of physiology and neuroscience as they apply to the practice of yoga. If you have ever wondered why we do yogasana as we do, you will likely find the answers within these pages. Endorsements "A Handbook for Yogasana Teachers provides a lucid blending of Eastern and Western science that helps us understand the human body from both perspectives! It is a major contribution to both medicine and yoga." Rajvi Mehta, editor, Yoga Rahasya, Mumbai "This book is quite obviously the result of extensive thought and effort on the part of the author. It contains a wide range of information, blending present-day anatomy and physiology with knowledge of yoga from ancient texts." Dr. Shirley Telles, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore "There is a paucity of books such as this handbook ... I liked the colorful descriptions and stories interspersed throughout." Lois Steinberg, teacher and therapist, Iyengar Yoga Institute of Champaign-Urbana "The book is unique in its mixture of scientific explanation and practical application ... As a practicing Iyengar teacher with no medical background, I have had little choice but to accept the words of B. K. S. and Geeta Iyengar in their description of the effects and benefits of poses ... I have had no reason to doubt them, but when teaching students with a Western mind, it helps to present them with a 'scientific reason' why." Renata Cardinal, certified Iyengar yoga teacher, Watchung Yoga Arts Center, New Jersey "Mel Robin's labor of love has combined his knowledge of modern anatomy and physiology and traditional yoga beliefs (mostly in the Iyengar tradition) together with personal opinion and analysis based on years of teaching and practice within this tradition. By painstakingly collecting this material together, he has done a great service to the yoga community, especially those with an interest in yoga therapy and the intersection between yoga and Western medicine." Dr. Ruth Gilmore, faculty, Yoga Therapy Centre, London "A Handbook for Yogasana Teachers is useful for yoga teachers and serious yoga students who wish to bridge their understanding of Western and Eastern concepts. It may help practitioners of other Eastern methods of healing find ways to explain what they are doing to Western students or clients. Western doctors who want to understand Eastern healing methods will find the book extremely beneficial." Jessie Thompson, director, the Yoga Loft of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

The Science of Yoga draws on a hidden wealth of science, history, and surprising facts to cut through the fog that surrounds contemporary yoga and to show - for the first time - what is uplifting and beneficial and what is delusional, flaky, and dangerous. At heart, it illuminates the risks and rewards. The book takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of undiscovered yoga that goes from old libraries in Calcutta to the world capitals of medical research, from little-known archives to spotless laboratories, from sweaty yoga classes with master teachers to the cosy offices of yoga healers. In the process, it shatters myths, lays out unexpected benefits, and offers a compelling vision of how to improve the discipline.

Millions of people practice some form of yoga, but they often do so without a clear understanding of its history, traditions, and purposes. This comprehensive bibliography, designed to assist researchers, practitioners, and general readers in navigating the extensive yoga literature, lists and comments upon English-language yoga texts published since 1981. It includes entries for more than 2,400 scholarly as well as popular works, manuals, original Sanskrit source text translations, conference proceedings, doctoral dissertations, and master's theses. Entries are arranged alphabetically by author for easy access, while thorough author, title, and subject indexes will help readers find books of interest.

This book is the first ever comprehensive yoga textbook that meets the American Yoga Alliance standard for yoga teachers. The book follows the Yoga Alliance syllabus and includes the required major components.

Yoga for the Joy of It! immerses the beginning yoga student in the history and practice of yoga by educating the student on the background of yoga, its health benefits, and showing specific exercises and poses. This text is an essential resource for any student embarking on a new yoga class or for those students who are already familiar with the practice of yoga. Yoga for the Joy of It! details of what to expect in class, what to wear and bring to class, correct yoga alignment, a solid foundation of yoga poses, how to modify each yoga pose, correct yoga breathing, beginning meditation, styles of yoga, a history of yoga, and how to bring the benefits of yoga practice into your daily life. Important Notice: The digital edition of this book is missing some of the images or content found in the physical edition.