Intelligent Yoga

Peter Blackaby

Description

In Intelligent Yoga, Peter Blackaby describes his humanistic approach to yoga, firmly rooted in the here and now and underpinned by scientific research. In this second edition, he seeks to distance himself further from the biomechanical view of the body, revealing instead his more integrative perspective, focused on the neurological basis for movement and on the relationships between things. Rather than approaching yoga as an exercise system, it is seen here as a tool for self-exploration. By paying attention to our bodily responses, we are more able to react appropriately and are less likely to meet discomfort and pain in life. As we become better at this, life slowly takes an easier turn. We learn to act usefully, and sooner rather than later. We age more gracefully, and we adapt to change with less rancor.With fully revised theory chapters, a new chapter on chronic pain - based on the latest fascinating research - and completely re-designed practice sections, Intelligent Yoga: Listening to the Body's Innate Wisdom is a must for all teachers and students of yoga, and anyone with an interest in the human body. Peter Blackaby is an internationally known yoga teacher based in Brighton, UK, where he runs Unit 4 Yoga & Natural Health Centre.

Sujets

• Mind
• Body
• Spirit

Informations

• Publié par: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Date de parution: 28 mai 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 3
• EAN13: 9781838595654
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 10 Mo

Extrait

Praise for Intelligent Yoga

‘I consider Peter to be one of the most high-integrity leaders of a major paradigm shift in how we conceive of, and therefore how we exist within and relate to, the human body. Always willing to throw dogma under the bus, always willing to let his inquiry deepen and expand, this book is a gift to those who are engaging with their bodies as a lived experience or who are helping others to do so; whether yoga teachers, movement educators, or bodyworkers of any stripe.’
Brooke Thomas , Liberated Body podcast

‘Peter Blackaby’s aptly named Intelligent Yoga is a true game-changer for anyone willing to ask the tough questions of how and why we do yoga. I highly recommend it to all my serious students.’
Leslie Kaminoff , co-author of Yoga Anatomy

‘Peter Blackaby’s writing (like his teaching) is intelligent, incisive, gracious and immensely pragmatic. He is proposing shifts in our assumptions about anatomy, asana and teaching that are much needed – in yoga, and in any movement practice. I highly recommend that everyone engage with the ideas in this book.’
Amy Matthews , co-author of Yoga Anatomy

‘Peter Blackaby has a rare gift for expressing his deeply felt understanding for yoga through the written word. This book captures the essence of his enquiring nature while providing a distinctive method and practice suggestions which might equally serve the total beginner and the seasoned practitioner. Substantially revised and updated from the first edition, it is humane, rigorous and refreshing in equal measure. The illustrations exhibit the very qualities of light, spacious stability and ease that the practice evokes. By the simple device of stating a purpose (rather than a list of supposed benefits), a method and a sense of enquiry in each asana, he initiates the intelligent approach that characterises his teaching. This is what I love about his work. Any body of any shape or size can take this approach and find freedom to move optimally with ease and grace. It really is essential reading for every modern yoga practitioner.’
Tara Fraser, author of Yoga for You and the The Easy Yoga Workbook

‘Yoga is undergoing a massive paradigm shift. People in the West have been practising yoga for long enough to start questioning some of the things that the gurus taught. People have gotten injured from yoga practice and had to explore other modalities and information to heal. Fortunately, Peter Blackaby is at the forefront of a fantastic new conversation around synthesising knowledge and evolving yoga practice to incorporate new understandings of how the body works, the role of physical practice in addressing pain, and larger questions into the nature of being. In his new edition of Intelligent Yoga , he offers a clear lens that both allows for scientific rigor yet still advocates for the innate wisdom at the heart of yogic inquiry. Anyone who feels a passion for yoga deserves to read this book.’
J. Brown , yoga teacher, writer, podcaster

‘A teacher’s plea for safety through individualisation and anatomic savvy.’ (first edition)
William J. Broad , author of The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards

‘I have been a yoga practitioner for 20 years and teaching for 12 years. I have over 100 books on yoga but I turn to this one for inspiration more often than any other. I cannot recommend it highly enough.’ (first edition)
Sally A. Furness , on Amazon UK



Copyright © 2020 Peter Blackaby

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers.


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Publisher, Editor & Production
Anna Norman

Art Director
Samuel Blagg

Proofreaders
Ros Sales and Richard Norman

Photographer
Charlotte Macpherson
(www.charlottemacpherson.co.uk)

Additional photography
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ISBN 978 1838595 654

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Matador® is an imprint of Troubador Publishing Ltd

Acknowledgements
The author would particularly like to thank the following for help in shaping this book: Christine McHugh, Diane Farrell, Taravajra, Peter Connolly and Lisa McRory, for their generous sharing of ideas and practice – I value their friendship; Mary Stewart for her straightforward and direct teaching; Serge Gracovetsky for his patient answering of my persistent questions; Monica Voss for her conversation and encouragement; and Michael Barnes for introducing me to the wonderful world of yoga. Finally, thanks to my wife Sabine, and Dominik, my son, who have had to put up with me when my time has been consumed by writing. The author and editor would also like to thank the following for modelling the asanas so patiently for us: Mia Dafe, Christine McHugh, Lisa McRory, Anil Rawal, Taravajra and Ann Thomson.
Contents
Mary Stewart
Foreword to the First Edition
Monica Voss
Foreword to the Second Edition

Introduction
Coming to our senses

PART ONE
THE THEORY

ONE
From separation to integration

TWO
The neural body

THREE
Mapping breathing

FOUR
When things go wrong

FIVE
Yoga beyond the mat

PART TWO
THE PRACTICE

SIX
Approaching our practice

SEVEN
Tension-Losing Asanas
Pressing one foot into the floor
Pressing both feet into the floor
Finding support on all fours
Sprinter
Downward-facing dog
Plank pose
Bent-arm plank
Side plank
Wheel
Head balance

EIGHT (PART ONE)
Functional asanas: side bends
All-fours side bend
All-fours side bend, turning hands
Seated side bend
Standing side bend

EIGHT (PART TWO)
Functional asanas: Extension
All-fours extension
Kneeling back bend
Standing back bend
Standing back bend with arms in reverse prayer
Upward-facing dog and cobra
Prone back bend
Hands-to-ankle prone back bend
Kneeling supine back bend

EIGHT (PART THREE)
Functional asanas: Flexion
All-fours forward bend
Child’s pose
Standing forward bend
Squatting
Spinal rolling and shoulder stand
Eagle-arms forward bend
Stepping-forward forward bend

EIGHT (PART FOUR
Functional asanas: R otation
All-fours turning
Supine turning
Happy baby turning
Kneeling turn
Wide-stride turn
Bending-forward twist

EIGHT (PART FIVE)
Functional asanas: Sitting
Cobbler pose
Cross-legged sitting
Sitting between the heels
Legs crossed at the knees
Side sitting
Pigeon

NINE
Balances
Balanced standing pose
Crow pose
One foot standing balance
Sideways standing balance

TEN
Re-finding our breath
Uddiyana bhanda
Kapalabhati
Supine relaxation

Bibliography
Additional recommended reading



Mary Stewart
Foreword to the First Edition
Yoga is India’s gift to the world. Pre-dating both Hinduism and Buddhism, it was handed down verbally from teacher to pupil for hundreds of years before it was ever committed to paper.
Most people in the West have heard of yoga, perhaps as a form of keep-fit practised by celebrities, as a weekly class in a local village hall, or even as a dangerous Eastern cult. Yoga has been interpreted in innumerable ways over its long history and there is probably a grain of truth in all its many descriptions.
‘As yoga transforms our relationship