Yoga Books and Links
Reviews
This is both a double-barreled book review of Ray Long’s Scientific Keys Vol I: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga and Vol II: The Key Poses of Hatha Yoga, published by Bandha Yoga, and a web site review of www.BandhaYoga.com
I come to this book from the perspective of someone who has been developing body awareness through the practice of Hanna Somatics, Yoga, Yang-style Tai Chi, and Shorinji-Rhu Karate. Several of my instructors, especially Andrew Teufel of Applied Somatics, a Registered Massage Therapist and Certified Hanna Somatic Educator, and my Vijnana style Yoga instructor Ana Philipson often use texts to illustrate muscle structure and function. Although these texts and illustrations were very useful and assisted with both visualization techniques and the understanding of muscle function, the illustrations and relevancy to the situation were usually far from perfect.
The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga and The Key Poses of Hatha Yoga opened a whole new world of clear, color-coded, digital graphics that present multi-angled views to illustrate the inter-relation of agonist, antagonist or synergist muscles in Hatha Yoga Poses. The Key Poses of Hatha Yoga explores the theory of the biometrics and physiology of stretching as well as the mechanics of the practice of Hatha Yoga poses – all with the same stunning quality of graphics as the first volume.
Although many students may find the volume of information packed into these books a bit daunting, I don’t think these books are just for Yoga instructors or movement professionals. When I am working on a specific pose I find it useful to review the pose in these books so that my mind has an image of what my body is moving towards. That image, and the understanding of how it relates to my body, develop steadily as my practice matures.
Bhanda Yoga has a page by page tour of both books available on their site www.bandhayoga.com. This is the first time I’ve seen this done and it is impressive because it gives potential book purchasers the ability to really understand what we are buying without having a copy in our hands.
The site also has an anatomical pose viewer. This is a free resource you definitely will find useful. The tool allows you to choose a Hatha Yoga pose then displays a 360% rotating illustration of the pose.
The author, Ray Long MD FRCSC has studied Hath Yoga for over 20 years including training with B.K.S. Iyengar. This, combined with his experience as an orthopedic surgeon, give him a unique perspective of the human body as it relates to stretching. Teamed with an experienced computer generated imagery (CGI) artist, they have provided some excellent resources. Kudos.
Please let me know if you think other books should be added to the list.
Links
Somatics: A Good Pre-Cursor to Yoga?
If you are hesitant about beginning yoga, especially if you are recovering from an injury or are dealing with a chronic pain problem I suggest that you consider beginning with Somatics. Sometimes called Hanna Somatics or Somatic Education, I think of Somatics as a good foundation of gentle movement upon which to begin your yoga practice.
Thomas Hanna, PhD, began developing this system over 30 years ago after years of study with many other somatic pioneers including Moshe Feldenkrais. There are several excellent Certified Somatic Educators on Vancouver Island, British Columbia at Applied Somatics in Duncan. Here are some links you may wish to explore:
The web site of Applied Somatics on Vancouver Island, BC. The site provides some solid information about Somatics including two interesting case studies. Andrew Teufel RMT CHSE and his colleagues at the Applied Somatics Clinic offer Massage Therapy, Somatic Education and Accupuncture. Classes and workshops held on the wood floors of a hertitage "Movement Room" include Somatic Education, Somatic Yoga and Hatha Yoga. Andrew also offers accredited Somatic workshops to healthcare professionals at different locations around British Columbia. |
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An excellent source of information about Hanna Somatic Education. |
Cowichan Valley Yoga Links
There are many wonderful yoga instructors in the Cowichan Valley. If you are looking to try yoga or to explore a different style you may want to check out the following links:
Lise Duncan has over 3,000 hours of teaching and coaching experience and brings a unique combination of credentials and experience to her classes: Nationally Certified Coach; Certified Power Yoga Instructor; Certified Bodywork Practitioner with specialized training in Craniosacral, Aromatherapy, and Eastern bodywork therapies; former competative athlete and gymnast. Lise has a loyal following and teaches at several locations as well as providing personal training and corporate yoga classes. |
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Valley Yoga Centre is an attractive and peaceful Yoga studio in Duncan, BC. It is a place to explore Vijnana yoga, incorporating the teachings of Orit Sen-Gupta, Dona Holleman and Gioia Irwin. As well as regularly scheduled classes they offer workshops and retreats. Sandy Crichton, owner of Valley Yoga, has over 20 years of experience. Although Sandy is a certified Hatha Yoga and a certified Ashtanga Yoga teacher she has chosen to teach Vijanan yoga. Sandy has studied in the Vignana tradition with Orit Sen-Gupta and Gioia Irwin; she has completed teacher training with Cathy Valentine. |
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Ana Philipson, who also teaches at Valley Yoga Centre, also holds Vijnana Yoga classes at Valley Health and Fitness - a gym in the Mill Bay/Cobble Hill area. Ana has a degree in Exercise Physiology from UBC, is a certified Yoga Fit teacher through the YWCA and is continuing her education through the Salt Spring Yoga Centre. |
Other Yoga Links
The Saltspring Centre of Yoga is a respected training centre of Classical Ashtanga Yoga for all levels of practitioner and teacher. The Centre offers retreats and "getaways" as well as regular yoga classes. The Centre is based "on the ideal of karma yoga or selfless service." |
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The Yoga Association of British Columbia is a good source for information on yoga studios and teachers in British Columbia. |
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| Vijnana Yoga Practicing From Inside is the International web site of Vijnana Yoga and Orit Sen-Gupta. |