Anatomy, injured

My bedside reading recently has been The Anatomy of Hatha Yoga by H. David Coulter. I was a little sceptical at first. I have a one and a half-year old yoga practice, I have a smattering of anatomical/physiological knowledge from university and I have some background of history of science.

What I wanted, what I was interested in, was a western modern medicine view of anatomy, related to yoga. I was worried there would be some spuriousness, some yoga philosophy weaved in that made me doubt it all.

Thankfully Coulter - a yogi and anatomist - leaves to one side all discussion of yoga philosophy and restricts his discussion strictly to anatomy and physiology, whilst applying it to yoga postures. It's written in technical but clear language; at a level nearer my uni anatomy textbooks than A-level biology, but written so beautifully smoothly and logically that if your anatomy is a little hazy (as mine is), it still makes sense and is easily absorbed.

Coulter demonstrates characteristics of, for example reflex reactions, by describing experiments you can carry out yourself, which are a superb complement to the written stuff. Illustrations are well placed, clear and detailed. The references to yoga and how the anatomical issues addressed apply are just the kind of thing I have been curious about. All in all, I am very impressed.

And excited, and astounded. The more I read about the tissues and fabrics of my body, their tricks and habits, the more I feel completely in awe of this body I live in. It's astonishing.

This cements in me a feeling that I would like to study more anatomy, and therapies that build on anatomical knowledge (massage, osteopathy).

Which would come in handy for myself now as it happens. I had my head wrongly placed to go up into headstand yesterday morning and as I started to walk feet towards head a bolt of pain flew down my neck and across my shoulder blades and upper back. I am in pain, with limited movement in my neck, and stiffness all over. I am resting; it's not so awful my body won't be able to fix itself, but it is another reminder how precious and important physical health and free movement is, and how important to be informed and knowledgeable to avoid injury so far as possible (but not to stop attempting headstands...)

The website of the book - http://www.bodyandbreath.com/Book.htm