Teach People, Not Poses
Lessons in Yoga Anatomy and Functional Movement to Unlock Body Intelligence
by Mary Richards
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Aug 29 2023 | Archive Date Sep 05 2023
Shambhala Publications, Inc. | Shambhala
Talking about this book? Use #TeachPeopleNotPoses #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
Teach People, Not Poses is the manual that yoga teachers and yoga therapists need to help their students step onto the mat on their own terms, comfortably and safely. Mary Richards, a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and expert in kinesiology and anatomy, says that we leave too many people off the mat, due to overly aggressive pace, sequence, and ambition in asana. She offers advice, techniques, observations, practices, and sequences to give teachers and yoga therapists the tools they need to move beyond the popular ideas of “should” on the mat.
To safely guide others in asana, especially when people come to the mat for relief from residual effects of acute injuries, chronic pain, and repetitive strain, yoga teachers need to understand what is typical and atypical in terms of posture and movement. Richards offers teachers myriad exercises to address imbalances and strengthen, such as
- "Tighten the Corset" for deep core training
- "Forearm Chaturanga/Plank" to develop core strength and stability
- "Revolved Warrior I with Resistance Band" for core stabilization
- "Wall-supported Downward-facing Dog" to activate the abdominal muscles and support the lower back
- and much more
This unique book masterfully blends yoga philosophy with practical body knowledge and physical core stabilization skills, so that asana is truly an individualized expression—and what the Yoga Sutras describe as sthira sukham asanam, asana that is steady and comfortable.
Advance Praise
“This is a brilliant book that integrates anatomy and asana, science and philosophy. With her refreshingly grounded voice, Mary Richards is a bright light on the yoga path.”—Lizzie Lasater, yoga teacher
“We need detailed maps for trekking and hiking in the inner body—and that is exactly what Mary Richards provides in her experiential anatomy book, which she adapts wonderfully to one’s needs and personal history.”—Francois Raoult, director of Open Sky Yoga Center
“Embodiment is one of the most important aspects of Yoga practice, teaching us that we’re both body and spirit—earth and ether. Mary Richards shows us how to be in our bodies in a clearer and more specific way than I have ever encountered in the Yoga world. What an amazing offering!”—Jivana Heyman, author of Yoga Revolution
“Teach People, Not Poses eloquently explores the continuum of accessibility and inclusivity through the lens of anatomy, kinesiology, yoga principles, and philosophy.”—Marsha Banks Harold, yoga teacher and owner of PIES Fitness Yoga Studio
“This book is a must-read for any yoga practitioner or teacher who wants to dive deeper into the understanding of yoga—mind, body, and spirit.”—Suzanne McCahill Perrine, yoga teacher and Ayurveda Health Coach
“Mary’s singular, humble voice rises above the clamor and ushers us into a new way of learning and being, where curiosity is paramount and one’s own unique, direct experience is the ultimate authority. A must-read for all aspiring yogis.”—Melissa Shalongo, yoga teacher
"As a yoga teacher I am excited and grateful for anything that helps me fulfill my responsibilities to keep learning, growing, and improving my teaching. Teach People Not Poses has contributed greatly to my understanding of anatomy, yoga instruction, awareness and my development as a teacher. Yoga is a journey and Mary’s teaching has guided me to explore wonderful places and concepts that I would have otherwise missed."—Michael Curtis, founder of The Yoga Place, and Yoga Central, Canton, Ohio
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781611809725 |
| PRICE | $24.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 184 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Brandi C, Educator
This book is exceptional with providing in depth information about the human body, its relation to teaching yoga. This is a perfect book for anyone practicing or teaching yoga and wants to know more about connection to poses and the body.
Michelle O, Librarian
Have you ever tried yoga and felt like you were fighting your body? Even if you don't teach yoga this book is easy to follow as a resource for anyone trying to better their yoga practice. Body mapping to find how your body moves without comparing yourself to others in a class or video is an important place to start. Learning how your body moves and functions, learning how resilient your body is and how much time your body needs to recover or how often to practice certain poses.
Through the years our lives and how we use our bodies daily have shaped us into who we are. Your posture may not be the same on each side of the vertical or horizontal line. Mary Richards walks you through the whole process of learning where your body is and how to adjust your yoga practice to get back into alignment.
The result is less pain, better posture and great health and energy. The book does include helpful poses and variations for your yoga journey.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Jodi Picoult; Jennifer Finney Boylan
General Fiction (Adult), Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction
Karen Thompson Walker
General Fiction (Adult), Literary Fiction, Sci Fi & Fantasy
Ashley Winstead
General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers, Women's Fiction
