Yogabuch.de is a German website that has been in existence since 1999 and is constantly growing with information on the Asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga. The site is freely accessible and free of advertising. It is a work in progress so that individual contents are available for use as soon as possible and not only when a complete revision of the entire work has been completed. The interpretation of the postures is strictly based on the maxim of the greatest possible useful effects that can be achieved from the basic geometric configuration under the secondary condition that the postures are free of side effects. If any are possible, they should be documented and the best possible information provided about the conditions under which they occur and about important contraindications to performing the posture.

The interpretation of the postures is based strictly on the anatomical and movement-physiological conditions and therefore does not follow any known tradition. In addition to classic asanas, a variety of functional exercises are also presented as well as explorations, a format that aims to promote biomechanical understanding of the body through self-experimentation.

Meanwhile, the information provided goes far beyond the mere textual description and pictorial representation of the postures, their variations, use of aids and partner exercises by describing large parts of the anatomy relevant to the execution of the postures such as bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, burses and much more, see also below. The website makes no claim to general comprehensibility for a non-specialist audience, but is intended to provide as much well-founded information as possible to specialists from a wide range of disciplines. Nevertheless, the website can be very useful for ambitious laypersons who want to familiarise themselves with the field, as all content and terms are linked to each other and often provided with tooltips.

Posture descriptions

The posture descriptions contain instructions on how the posture (the variation, the use of aids, the partner exercise or the transition) should be performed. In addition, the „details“ contain many important notes on possible phenomena and disorders that may occur as well as explanations of the underlying biomechanics.

Pathologie

Also included is a large collection of disorders of the movement system (pathology), often with reference to the asanas and daily or sporting activities. Currently, over 150 disorders are described, including all the major disorders known to many people, but also many lesser-known disorders that have not been described for too long, such as FAI (femoroacetabular impingement), Turf Toe and PHT/PAMT (Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy/Proximal Adductor Magnus Tendinopathy).

FAQ

A collection of frequently asked questions (FAQ) is also part of the site. It contains a „first aid kit“ for typical functional pain of the neck and lumbar spine.

Aids

Some typical but also less classic aids that the author uses in daily asana practice and also therapeutically are described in a section entitled „Aids“, and they are also used in the „Functional exercises“ section. The less classic ones include

Movement physiology

In the Movement Physiology section, fundamental concepts for understanding asanas, including consistent movement terminology, are presented on the basis of the given anatomy, physiology of movement and biomechanics as well as the applicable physics and mathematics.

Tests

In the Tests section, over 400 well-known and less well-known tests on the movement apparatus are presented, as well as a number of tests developed by the author himself.

Effects of the postures and diagnostic indications when performing them

In the sections Effects and Diagnostics, which are not yet complete, the effects of the postures on the musculature of the movement system are to be presented, as well as indications, that may arise when performing the postures, such as deficiencies in strength or mobility, lateral differences or known disorders that become symptomatic, as well as suspected as yet unknown disorders.

Tips and tricks

The Tips and tricks for restrictions section is intended to make it possible to perform postures with a variety of restrictions that can affect anyone in everyday life, from fractures to sprained fingers and bruises to non-specific, temporary pressure sensitivity. This is intended to cover a large number of cases that are not explicitly covered in the Pathology section.

Philosophy and „yoga order“

While the philosophical works „the Yogasutras of Patanjali“ and the „Bhagavad Gita“ are part of the author’s definite yoga teacher training, philosophical content is completely absent from Yogabuch. de, with the exception of the „Yoga Order“, which is written with some humour, because work on the asana-related and anatomical, physiological and pathological content is not yet sufficiently advanced.

Autor

The German author, Stefan Rolf Paff from Essen, has an early background and completed training in Iyengar Yoga and is now trying to use this website to present a comprehensive picture of the movement apparatus, the influences that shape it, possible disorders and general intervention options, as well as to facilitate self-effective health promotion and prevention. The reference to sports and the interactions between asanas and sports are also a concern of the author, who is himself active in sports, not least with regard to sports injuries and sports damage as well as their prevention and handling.

After completing his studies in mathematics and computer science as well as a few semesters of philosophy between 1994 and 2000 and obtaining his healing licence in 2003, the author has invested a large part of his time in teaching (see Yogaschule Ashtanga, since 1993), the Yogabuch.de project (since 1999) and, since 2015, training activities (see definite yoga teacher training, 800 units of training) in the field of yoga. The content presented here is the result of well over 10,000 yoga classes taught to date, a large number of individual therapeutic sessions and training activities.