Anatomy of Hatha Yoga

Coulter is amazingly insightful. On a few topics that I thought I had some special, personal knowledge on, he is right there putting my experience into a broader context.This is hard-won knowledge, neither merely theoretical nor merely anatomical, but instead you can feel the simultaneous result of observation, personal practice and modern anatomy. If you are tired of the medieval, mystical and unscientific descriptions of the body that usually go along with yoga classes you will find Coulter a breath of fresh air.This book is a much more challenging read — less pictures, more info — than the Kaminoff/Matthews book. I find that book to have a frustrating coloring book quality. By contrast, many people find this book intimidating and that is why the Kaminoff/Matthews book is more often assigned in yoga courses. Only get this book if you can deal with a book that reads as densely as a course textbook.

I found the book to be very well written and very informative. It describes what parts of the anatomy are involved in different yoga asanas, and describes how poses should be performed to get the maximum physical benefit from the exercise. Some may find it a little too technical, but that was its intent--to be, as its title states, "a manual for students, teachers, and practitioners". It contains a lot of information (622 pages); it's hard to imagine how any yoga practitioner could not find something in the book to both improve their practice and to understand how the body is executing the poses. I have been practicing yoga for nearly a decade and a half with some excellent teachers, but everytime I open Coulter's book I find something to consider or an adjustment to make in my next practice.

An in-depth look at anatomy in relation to yogic postures which along with highly technical explanation also encourages the reader to use this knowledge in an experiential manner using a selection of basic postures.The first part, dealing with Gravity in relation to the human body was a real eye opener and gave me whole new perspective and awareness on all the postures.I will say, that if you have no or limited knowledge of anatomy, it may be difficult in parts to read - although this should not be a barrier and should merely encourage the reader to go and learn more about the fascinating subject of anatomy to broadened their own yoga practice.

I am an RN with a Masters Degree in Nursing Education. I taught anatomy in colleges in California. I also teach yoga. I have found this book to be one of the most valuable in my collection. There are many anatomy books on the market to choose from, most of which don't go deep enough to explain"why" something happens. Coulter does this in such a refreshing way that I cannot recommend this book more. It is a wonderful reference to return to time and time again.

It's dense and slow reading, but it has great information with a plethora of detail about many expressions of the same basic pose for different needs and degrees of openess. I have to read a paragraph, then get on the floor and feel it for myself. It has details like if this part of a pose is tight then it might be this muscle which you might try opening with this other pose. It's been helpful to me as a yoga teacher.

Not really what I was expecting but it is a great resource for yoga teachers and students in YTT.

This book is like your Abatomy and Physiology textbook written fro a yogic perspective. Just imagine you are taking a course in Anatomy and Physiology and everything you learn is tied to the science of yoga. It is so interesting to read about human anatomy and then see how it relates to a particular asana or a yogic practice. There are good quality illustrations too, born in electronic and hard copy books.

I love this book and was replacing my hard cover earlier edition. Disappointed its a soft cover. Great book with accurate descriptions