The Book

“Joanne’s book confers the reader with permission to feel their way through their yoga no matter what style they practice….  The writing will touch you, in all of your senses, and help you peer out once again with a whole sense of be-ing”

Jill Miller, Author of The Roll Model www.tuneupfitness.com (see Foreword)

“Throw out your anatomy books! Joanne Avison is rewriting the way in which anatomy is taught to yoga teachers….  You can’t help but be transformed as you turn the pages…” 

Jules Mitchell, Author of Yoga Biomechanics, Stretching Redefined www.JulesMitchell.com (see Foreword)

“This book is a remarkable achievement written and crafted with such skill and attention to detail one know immediately they are in safe hands. Avison challenges deeply seeded conventional ways of thinking, not in an overly academic way but written in a style that will appeal to the widest possible audience.”

John Sharkey, Author of The Concise Book of Neuromuscular Therapy, Clinical Anatomist www.ntc.ie (see back cover)

YOGA Fascia Anatomy and Movement second edition is now available in full colour! Forewords by Tom Myers, Jill Miller and Jules Mitchell, endorse the deep research and stories that fill the pages with all aspects of the fascia, from structure to sensory awareness, sounds and haptic perception.

The book goes beyond the general knowledge of myofascia and myofascial release to explain how understanding fascia can help us (all) move better – and feel better – whatever movement (or manual therapy) we practice and teach. It also bridges the divide between classical anatomy and the real-life experiences of practicing and teaching movement as anatomically whole and complete living bodies. Our anatomy is alive – and the book explains in depth how that can inform all embodied health practices for all ages and stages of health and well-being.

The book presents fascia as the tensional network of connective tissues; the fabric of the human form. Research into fascia is revealing a whole new context for understanding the human body both at rest and in motion. Whatever movement or style of yoga you teach, YOGA Fascia Anatomy and Movement makes sense of the experience of mind, body and being, in motion, beyond the yoga classroom. It is a ground breaking and invaluable resource in the contemporary art and science of yoga. The book is written in straightforward and accessible language, and is divided into three parts. 

Part A From Anatomy to Architecture, takes us through the history of anatomy and how the fascia transforms our understanding of pain and performance.

Part B From Biomechanical to Biomotional bridges the gap between classical and contemporary theories of how people move. It’s a game changer for your practice (movement or manual) to have this knowledge in your skill set.

Part C From Classical to Connected is focused on the Classroom Connection and how all that is learned in Parts A & B, goes into practice. How is performance improved and pain removed in a sustainable way? How can you upgrade your Class Plan creation, to make it fun and safe? What practices can you do to facilitate and sustain myofascial integration, after your clients/class participants have gone home? 

YOGA FASCIA, ANATOMY and MOVEMENT is intended primarily for yoga teachers, but can be adapted for use with Pilates and all other movement training programs. It is also a resource for therapists working in the fields of sport, dance and movement therapy as well as manual practitioners.