Yoga: Awakening the Inner Body »

Written by an author who has practiced Iyengar-style yoga since 1971, and who studied it with B. K. S. Iyengar himself, Yoga: Awakening the Inner Body is a thorough, up-to-date resource for students and teachers. Using questions such as "Do you have sloping shoulders or square-set shoulders?" and "Are the muscles at the back of your upper arms weak?" the book allows readers to tailor the instruction to fit their needs. Eight chapters cover everything from balancing the sternum to aligning the shoulder blades to exploring the relationship among the collarbone, kidneys, and groin. The book also features an introduction in which the author defines the inner body and the various stages of awakening and gives suggestions for using the book.

Library Journal

Moyer (founder & director, Yoga Room, Berkeley, CA), who studied with B.K.S. Iyengar (Light on Life) in India and later graduated from the Institute for Yoga Teacher Education in San Francisco, teaches readers to focus on experiencing yoga asanas, or postures, from the "inside out," emphasizing human mechanics and anatomy. Meticulous instructions detail correct postural alignment, balance, and breathing. Part 1, "Finding Inner Balance," gives the reader an in-depth outline of how to perform shoulder- and headstands correctly. There is ample advice on the use of assistive props, and many examples of preparatory or alternate poses are included. Part 2, "Themes and Variations," addresses a wide variety of postures that relate to specific anatomical areas. Relaxation and breathing techniques supplement the material. This well-written work has a very technical feel-comparable with H. David Coulter's Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers, and Practition-ers-but the nearly 200 outstanding photographs and illustrations make it extremely accessible. Libraries collecting in areas of patient or wellness education or expanding their collections beyond yoga basics would find this a quality addition.-Deborah Anne Broocker, Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Dunwoody Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.