Presents a scientific approach to understanding the practice of hatha yoga: through full-color, three-dimensional illustrations of major muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This book describes the correct positioning of hatha yoga poses (asanas) and their benefits.

Master the science behind the backbends and twists of Hatha Yoga. Dr. Ray Long guides you on a visual narrative through the anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology of this ancient art, decoding each pose along the way. The Mat Companion series provides you with beautifully illustrated, step-by-step instructions on how to use scientific principles to obtain the maximum benefit from your practice. Each book includes the Bandha Yoga Codex, a simple five-step process that can be applied to any pose to improve strength, flexibility, and precision--no matter what style of yoga you practice.