Yogabody. Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Asana

225 Pages·2009·32.111 MB·English

by  Lasater Judith Hanson

Yogabody
By Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D., PT
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(with Ike K. Lasater)

Yogabody: Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Asana, copyright © 2009 by Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D., P.T. Illustrations copyright © 2009
by Sharon Ellis and Lauren Keswick. Cover photograph copyright © 2003 and © 2009 by David Martinez, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in Printed and bound in China
any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including First edition
photocopying, recording, or by an information storage or retrieval Hardcover: ISBN-13: 978-1-930485-23-5
system, without written permission from Rodmell Press, Trade Paper: ISBN-13: 978-1-930485-21-1
2147 Blake St., Berkeley, CA 94704-2715; [phone], 13 12 11 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
[phone] (fax), www.rodmellpress.com.
Editor: Linda Cogozzo
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Associate Editor: Holly Hammond
Lasater, Judith. Indexer: Ty Koontz
Yogabody : anatomy, kinesiology, and asana / Judith Hanson Design: Gopa & Ted2, Inc.
Lasater. — 1st ed. p. cm. Anatomy Illustrations: Sharon Ellis and Lauren Keswick
Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-930485-21-1 Asana Illustrations: Sharon Ellis
(pbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-930485-23-5 (hardcover : alk. paper) Cover Photograph: David Martinez, Inc.
1. Hatha yoga. I. Title. II. Title: Yoga body. Lithographer: Kwong Fat Offset Printing Co., Ltd.
RA781.7.L375 2009 Text set in Palatino LT Std 9.8/14.6
613.7'046—dc22
2008052134 Distributed by Publishers Group West
To Charles Kampmann Lasater

Contents
Acknowledgments .......................................ix
Introduction: The Shape of Yogabody ......................1
Part 1: The Locomotor System
1. Bones, Joints, Nerves, and Basic Terms ...............5
2. The Muscles ......................................... 21
Part 2: The Vertebral Column
3. Introduction to the Vertebral Column ............... 33
4. The Cervical Spine .................................. 51
5. The Thoracic Spine .................................. 65
6. The Lumbar Spine .................................. 71
7. The Sacrum ......................................... 81
Part 3: The Lower Extremity
8. The Pelvis, Hip Joint, and Femur ................... 93
9. The Knee Joint and Leg ............................ 109
10. The Ankle and Foot ................................ 119
vii
Part 4: The Trunk
11. The Abdomen ...................................... 135
12. The Diaphragm .................................... 143
Part 5: The Upper Extremity
13. The Shoulder Girdle ............................... 153
14. The Elbow Joint and Forearm ...................... 171
15. The Wrist and Hand ................................ 183
About the Author ....................................... 193
From the Publisher ..................................... 195
Index ................................................... 197
Acknowledgments
More than most people realize, writing a book to study biology and chemistry. Upon graduation
requires the support of a number of people. This she received a research and teaching fellowship in
book has been particularly shaped by two people. gross anatomy and neuroanatomy at the Univer-
The first is my son, Charles Kampmann “Kam” sity of Tennessee School of Medicine, where she
Lasater and the second is Dr. Ruth Williams. completed a doctorate in anatomy.
Years ago I was preparing to travel for the sec- However, I did not meet Dr. Williams in an anat-
ond time to India to study yoga with my teacher. omy class but in a yoga class. She was participat-
Plans had been set for a year, and I was excited ing in a teacher training I was giving. In addition
each time I thought about the trip. However, on to her teaching of anatomy, she had become a yoga
our first son’s second birthday, we learned that a teacher. We instantly connected around our love of
second baby was coming. I cancelled my trip, and the two disciplines, and within a matter of hours I
at the suggestion of my husband, I spent the time I had asked her to help me with this book. I appre-
had set aside writing the outline of an anatomy and ciate not only the competence but also the good
kinesiology book. I used those outlines frequently nature with which she did so. The truth is that Dr.
as the basis for articles and workshops through Williams has made this book a much better one,
the years. Now I am finally fulfilling a life’s dream and we all benefit. I am deeply grateful.
by writing the book I planned so many years ago. My gratitude is also especially offered to Jill
Because of Kam, I began this book more than two Jalaja Korengold, not only for the admirable and
decades ago. For his part in its creation, and for the helpful job she did reading the completed manu-
joy his life has brought me, I am so grateful. script but also for the work she does in the world.
The other person who helped shape this book She has studied and taught yoga science since
has shared her talents for months, doing the not- 1988 with the blessings of Sadguru Sant Kesha-
so-exciting work of reading and helping with the vadas, Srimad Rama Mata, and Sri Haricharandas.
manuscript. Ruth Williams started her life’s work In addition, she is a bilingual teacher of elemen-
as an artist. Her next project was raising three tary students and shares her love and knowledge
daughters. As they grew up, she reconnected of yoga science with them.
with an early love of science, returning to school I extend my appreciation to Angela Zaragoza,
ix