Books by Bernie Clark

Your Body, Your Yoga goes beyond any prior yoga anatomy book available. It looks not only at the body’s unique anatomical structures and what this means to everyone’s individual range of motion, but also examines the physiological sources of restrictions to movement. Two volumes are provided in this book: Volume 1 raises a new mantra to be used in every yoga posture: What Stops Me? The answers presented run through a spectrum, beginning with a variety of tensile resistance to three kinds of compressive resistance. Examined is the nature of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, bones and our extracellular matrix and their contribution to mobility. The shape of these structures also defines our individual, ultimate range of movement, which means that not every body can do every yoga posture. The reader will discover where his or her limits lie, which dictates which alignment cues will work best, and which ones should be abandoned. Volume 2 will take these principles and apply them to the lower body, examining the hip joint, the knee, ankle and foot, and will present how your unique variations in these joints will show up in your yoga practice.

Your Spine, Your Yoga is a masterpiece that bridges the gaps between scientific principles of movement, body function and yoga practice. This book unlocks the cages in which the Western view of yoga has unwittingly managed to confine itself. Not too many people or yoga books I know are able to capture the messages Bernie Clark delivers informatively, creatively and resourcefully. His brilliance and yoga experience create the conduit for delivery. Bernie boldly challenges the myths around movement terms (posture, stretching, flexibility, stress, strain, stability) with scientific clarity and reasoning. The craft of this book exposes how the architectural design of the body enables it to be fluid and rhythmic with yoga practice. This book is a truly innovative contribution integrating scientific principles, the body's functional characteristics and yoga practice. I really admire the organization and presentation of the material, particularly the special sections (e.g., "It's Important," "Notes to Teachers," "It's Complicated") highlighting the important facts. It's a challenging task Bernie has undertaken, and in my view he has accomplished his goal to deliver a game changer in the yoga field. It's a groundbreaking resource to cherish.Dr. Wilbour Kelsick, Clinical Director - MaxFit Movement Institute andPost Graduate Supervisor - College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences