Yoga Anatomy Articles


Yoga postures deserve better explanations than what muscle should contract and which should relax or stretch. Yoga postures are dynamic and always in a state of process. Check out handstands, sun salutations, padmasana, upward dog, and down dog.

The yoga anatomy articles are organized into categories such as,  Injuries PosturesYour Questions Yoga Anatomy Yoga Injuries Research , Ashtanga Yoga Research , and even  Yoga Adjustments.


They are also broken down more specifically by muscles, bandhas, breathing, sit bone pain, shoulders, psoas, and knee pain.

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Featured image for “What Is Hip Opening In Yoga?”

What Is Hip Opening In Yoga?

Hip opening in yoga increases our range of motion in external hip rotation to prepare us for poses like half…
Featured image for “Twisting in Yoga: Anatomy, Technique, and Common Issues”

Twisting in Yoga: Anatomy, Technique, and Common Issues

Twisting in yoga is a whole-body movement. A twist in yoga involves the pelvis and spine and often even the…
Featured image for “Anatomical Breakdown Of Laghu Vajrasana”

Anatomical Breakdown Of Laghu Vajrasana

In laghu vajrasana, or lightning thunderbolt pose, the primary aspect or pattern we develop is resisting gravity.…
Featured image for “Anatomical Breakdown Of Pasasana”

Anatomical Breakdown Of Pasasana

Pasasana is a challenging twist posture that incorporates a bind around both legs from a squat base position.…
Featured image for “Anatomical Breakdown of Karandavasana”

Anatomical Breakdown of Karandavasana

Karandavasana is a challenging dynamic pose that requires a reliable lotus, a forearm balance, and lots of practice with resisting…
Featured image for “Why Can’t I Do A Headstand?”

Why Can’t I Do A Headstand?

To do a headstand, set up your base, train the pelvic tilt needed to lift your legs with control, and…
Featured image for “Anatomical Breakdown Of Mayurasana”

Anatomical Breakdown Of Mayurasana

In mayurasana, avoid overly rounding the spine or placing elbows too low, to reduce stress on the wrists and make…
Featured image for “Anatomical Breakdown Of Tittibhasana A, B, C, and D: The Ashtanga Firefly”

Anatomical Breakdown Of Tittibhasana A, B, C, and D: The Ashtanga Firefly

Tittibhasana A, B, C, and D, the Ashtanga firefly poses, require the ability to create length and engage the legs…
Featured image for “How Should I Do Half Headstand (Pike)?”

How Should I Do Half Headstand (Pike)?

For half headstand, or pike, let a little more backbend come into your back and have someone’s outside feedback cue…
Featured image for “Anatomical Breakdown of Kapotasana, The Ashtanga Version Of Pigeon Pose”

Anatomical Breakdown of Kapotasana, The Ashtanga Version Of Pigeon Pose

Kapotasana is a challenging backbend that requires significant length along the front of the body. Learning the pose takes patience…
Featured image for “What Is Happening Anatomically In Eka Pada Galavasana?”

What Is Happening Anatomically In Eka Pada Galavasana?

The back leg often doesn’t straighten in eka pada galavasana because of the position that the pelvis is in when…
Featured image for “Is Headstand Really Safe?”

Is Headstand Really Safe?

Headstand is a relatively safe posture if you don’t have pre-existing medical conditions that would make headstand contraindicated, and you…
Featured image for “Anatomical Breakdown Of Side Plank”

Anatomical Breakdown Of Side Plank

Anatomically, side plank is supported by serratus anterior and other shoulder muscles as well as strong abductors stabilizing the hips.…
Featured image for “Anatomical Breakdown Of Forearm Balance”

Anatomical Breakdown Of Forearm Balance

Forearm balance is a fun pose that takes time and patience to learn. Engaging and strengthening serratus anterior is one…
Featured image for “Anatomical Breakdown Of Shoulder Stand”

Anatomical Breakdown Of Shoulder Stand

Shoulder stand is a classical asana that can offer many benefits, but is contraindicated for those with many types of…
Featured image for “Backbending in Yoga: Anatomy, Technique & Common Mistakes”

Backbending in Yoga: Anatomy, Technique & Common Mistakes

Dive into the anatomical components of a backbend and learn why and how to set yourself up for comfortable and…
Featured image for “How Should We Position The Hands For Arm Balances?”

How Should We Position The Hands For Arm Balances?

The exact position of the hands in arm balances matters less than whether you’re engaging serratus anterior to stabilize the…
Featured image for “The Truth About Headstand In Yoga”

The Truth About Headstand In Yoga

Learn headstand in yoga by going step by step. Build the pose from the base, control the pelvis, and lift…
Featured image for “How To Bind Marichyasana C And Other Bound Twists”

How To Bind Marichyasana C And Other Bound Twists

Learning to bind Marichyasana C, like other seated bound twists, requires establishing a stable base, before reaching the arm to…
Featured image for “Anatomy Of Triang Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana And Krounchasana”

Anatomy Of Triang Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana And Krounchasana

Both triang mukhaikapada paschimottanasana and krounchasana require that we lengthen tissues for internal hip rotation and forward bending.…
Featured image for “Standing Yoga Poses Vary In Their Joint Force And Physical Demands”

Standing Yoga Poses Vary In Their Joint Force And Physical Demands

The joint force passing through knees, hips, and ankles varied in standing yoga poses. This has implications for rehabilitation using…