Product Description

Anatomy of Movement presents a dynamic, integrated approach to the study of the physical structures of the musculoskeletal system and their functional relationship to the movements of the human body.

In clear and concise text illustrated with more than a thousand graphic drawings, the author guides the reader on a lively tour of the muscles, bones, ligaments and joints of the arms, legs and trunk. The focus throughout the book is on anatomy not for its own sake, but in its functional relationship to the actual movements of the body in dance, exercise and other physical disciplines.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #77895 in Books
• Published on: 1993-10-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 289 pages

Review
"A beautifully thought-out and exceptionally well-illustrated book." -- Massage

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

About the Author
Blandine Calais-Germain's lifelong involvement with dance, both as performer and teacher, eventually led to an interest in other physical disciplines, and then to more formal study of the complex and integrated movements of the body.

From 1977 to 1980 the author studied physiotherapy at the French School of Orthopedics and Massage in Paris. In physiotherapy, body movements are analyzed both in terms of their neurophysiological and mechanical aspects, which allows for a better understanding of the actual mechanisms of movement.

From her work with dance and physiotherapy, the author developed an innovative method for teaching the physical structures of anatomy in relation to movement. This method, the subject of her companion volumes Anatomy of Movement and Anatomy of Movement: Exercises, has been enthusiastically received in workshops that she presented for many years in France. Her two books have been translated and published throughout the world in many languages.

Customer Reviews

Easy to understand and very helpful
As a student of yoga and dance, I've been looking for an anatomy book to help me understand what's involved in movement. Unfortunately, most of the books I found were encyclopedic reference tomes that overwhelmed me with information. So I was delighted to run across this one: because its specific focus is movement, the drawings and descriptions cover only the relevant anatomical details. It's easy to understand and clear without being simplistic. The organization of the book makes it easy to find the information you want. And it doesn't just show joints and muscles; other relevant body parts are illustrated so the reader comprehends how everything works together (I never understood what the diaphragm really looks like until I saw this book!). This is a book that belongs in everyone's library -- it's not just for dancers or bodyworkers.

Excellent introduction to anatomy and kinesiology
As other reviewers have said, this is an excellent introduction to anatomy and kinesiology. The book strikes the perfect balance between clinical detail and practical knowledge for body-workers, athletes and dancers. We have copies of several pages up on the wall at my Pilates studio which get referred to often.

All the major skeletal muscle groups of the limbs and torso are covered. It is not a disection manual. It is organized for students of movement. Of particular value is the section on the work of the psoas and the "psoas paradox" that is somewhat controversial.

To get more in depth, one text I can recommend for the dancer/Pilates instructor is "Dance Kinesiology" by Sally Sevey Fitt.

The finest introduction to muscle & joint biomechanics
This excellent book focuses on the practical explanation of joint construction and function. Describes in easy-to-understand terms how muscles act upon joints. Uncanny in its ability to simplify a complex subject, if studied carefully it will give there reader an understanding of applied anatomy and kinesiology to almost second year university level. Excellent-yet-simple illustrations can be related to Dance, Gymnastics, Yoga and Martial Arts. I have used it extensively throughout my degree and in my opinion it should be a standard text in all human movement and physiotherapy courses.