 | Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com | See inside every stretch--and maximize flexibility! Stretching Anatomy will arm you with the knowledge to increase range of motion, supplement training, enhance recovery, and maximize efficiency of movement. You'll also gain a detailed understanding of how each stretch affects your body. Stretching Anatomy is like having an X-ray of each stretch, only better. Not only do you see full-color illustrations of the muscles in action, but you also find out how changes in position can alter the muscle emphasis and difficulty and how variations can improve safety and effectiveness. Each exercise includes detailed instruction on how to stretch, when to stretch, primary and secondary muscle emphasis, and which muscles are activated for support. Stretching programs provide three levels of difficulty, including light stretching that can be used as a warm-up or to aid in recovery from soreness or injury. And summary movement tables show how to customize stretching programs to focus on key problem areas. Whether it is increased flexibility or reduced muscle soreness or tension, Stretching Anatomy allows you to see and feel the benefit of proper stretching technique. |
Average Customer Rating:   Stretching, flexibility, anatomy of muscles, muscle review, muscle actions. Stretching Anatomy has lovely color illustrations of men and women performing the different stretches. The chapters are uncomplicated and it is easy to quickly reference all of the muscles and their actions. I really like the chapters on Arms, wrists and hands and also knees and thighs. Every illustrated stretch has a box beneath with a detailed color picture of the anatomy, all muscles are labeled clearly. You can quickly sort out any confusion you may have between similar sounding muscles. I get my Teres Major and minor muscles mixed up for example or my Flexor carpi radialis brevis and longus. A quick look in this book will set you straight in a short space of time.
Generally 2 pages are dedicated to each stretch, one page has the illustrations the other page has three short paragraphs, no more than several lines in each paragraph though. "Technique", "Muscles stretched" (most stretched and least stretched), and "Commentary" which gives you modifications, variations and various tips on deepening the stretch. The information is very brief. If you need more detail on muscles involved, or origins and insertions, this is not the book for you, explanations are limited to muscle action and pictures.
This is a very nice, simple and uncomplicated book, if you want a little more detail I would suggest spending around $5 more and getting "The anatomy of stretching" by Brad Walker (very similar titles)or at least review both books before buying to see which suits you best.
At the end of each chapter of "Stretching Anatomy" all muscles are listed down the left side of the page and the actions across the top of the page. Ticks symbols show the action of each muscle. This book is a useful tool for anyone reviewing muscles for their anatomy exams, massage therapists, fitness instructors, physiotherapists who are just starting out etc. The stretches shown for arms and wrists are my favorite. Whether you are a yoga instructor looking for a few new ways to warm up your students before their Asana practice (a good deal of the stretches shown remind me of yoga poses such as Janu Sirsasana, Baddah konasana, paschimottanasana, or you are a massage therapist educating your clients on self care, or an athlete looking for information on increasing flexibility this 143 page book is very handy as a reference book or as a guide to design your own stretching sequences.
Excellent, clear and helpful manual I checked this out at the library on the advice of some bellydancing friends, and I found it so handy I made sure to order my own copy.
It's wonderfully clear and concise: No treatises on theory, just brief descriptions of what the various muscle sets do, and the excellent, large, totally clear and well-labeled diagrams of every stretch (and then later of the various muscle sets at rest).
It makes it ridiculously easy to understand what's happening when I stretch or dance, and also to identify the aches and pains I sometimes get as an active person.
Each section handles a different part of the body i.e. neck, hips, knees and thighs, arms, wrists, so the stretches are easy to find -- you don't have to remember the names of the muscles you want to stretch, just flip through the appropriate section. Each stretch lists which muscles it acts primarily and secondarily upon. Each stretch has any appropriate warnings or other notes, such as positions to enhance the stretch or make it easier for your limitations.
In no part of the book are the stretches limited to contortionist's poses or advanced yoga-type positions. Stretches are offered on the most basic level for every body part as well as more advanced options. You're sure to find a simple, accessible stretch for any muscle group. Awesome! This book is a perfect way of showing techniques for people whom don't know how to stretch properly. Majority of the aches and pains people get are from tight, forgotten about muscles. Stretching Anatomy takes care of not only illustrations, but a description of each stretch, how long to hold the stretch and gives helpful hints to assist in getting the best possible stetch out of each muscle. All in all, this is a great book, and there is nothing I would change about it.
I use my book all the time! Awesome Visuals A need for anyone who is interesed in the body, exersise and health, highly reccomened! Great tool! This book has a ton of really great info on stretching some of those hard to reach spots. I love knowing what muscles I am using as well, it helps me identify where my stretch is really going! |  |
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