Yoga Anatomy Articles

The yoga anatomy articles are organized into categories such as, Injuries , Postures, Your 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.

Yoga

Why Can’t I Do This Yoga Pose? – Our Singularity Bias In Yoga

Why can’t I do this yoga pose? Students should consider that it likely isn’t just one thing that prevents us from accessing…
Yoga Postures

There’s No Right Way To Forward Bend In Yoga: Here’s What Matters Instead

A good forward bend in yoga is more complex than it appears. The right forward bend is the one that fits the…
Your Questions

Feet Together Versus Feet Apart in Bow Pose: Here’s What Changes

Tension in the hip flexors, especially rectus femoris, is a likely reason for difficulty lifting up in bow pose with the feet…
Your Questions

Is It Okay To Start Wheel Pose By Pressing Your Head On A Block?

Starting wheel pose with your head on a block can work around tight hip flexors making it feel hard to press up,…
Yoga

Teaching The Stages Of A Life-long Ashtanga Practice

Teaching students how to shape the stages of their Ashtanga practice into a life-long relationship, not a static achievement, is essential.
Your Questions

Is It Helpful To Work With Kapotasana On A Wall?

To work with kapotasana on a wall, move closer to the wall. Send the hips forward and reach for the wall. Then,…
Yoga

Yoga, Risk, And The Myth of Perfect Alignment

Instead of fear-based cueing and broadly overused alignment cues, let’s talk about how to adapt yoga to each individual. Let’s include a…
Your Questions

Why Do My Elbows Point Out In Kapotasana?

When the elbows point out in kapotasana, it's often more related to tension in the triceps brachii than it is to bone…
Your Questions

Why Don’t My Feet Touch The Ground In Purvottanasana?

In purvottanasana, hip flexor flexibility and glute strength help get the pelvis up high enough to allow you to straighten the legs…
Your Questions

Are Proportions Preventing Me From Pressing Into A Handstand?

Challenging proportions like long legs and a short torso can make pressing into a handstand harder, but good technique is needed, regardless.
Yoga Postures

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 legs and…
Yoga Postures

Anatomical Breakdown Of Laghu Vajrasana

In laghu vajrasana, or lightning thunderbolt pose, the primary aspect or pattern we develop is resisting gravity.
Yoga Postures

Anatomical Breakdown Of Pasasana

Pasasana is a challenging twist posture that incorporates a bind around both legs from a squat base position.
Arm Balances

Anatomical Breakdown of Karandavasana

Karandavasana is a challenging dynamic pose that requires a reliable lotus, a forearm balance, and lots of practice with resisting gravity.
Arm Balances

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 only then…
Arm Balances

Anatomical Breakdown Of Mayurasana

In mayurasana, avoid overly rounding the spine or placing elbows too low, to reduce stress on the wrists and make balancing easier.
Arm Balances

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 you how…
Arm Balances

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 we do…
Your Questions

Why Do I Have Knee Pain In Bhujapidasana?

Knee pain in bhujapidasana can happen for many reasons. Do some testing in the pose to determine how to best modify the…
Yoga

How To Manage Your Energy During Yoga Practice

Consistent yoga practice, without doing too much too soon, can help you manage your energy in yoga and make practice sustainable.
Arm Balances

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 key to…
Yoga Postures

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 neck issues.
Yoga

Drishti: Gazing Practice Bridges The External And The Internal

Drishti practice incorporates focusing your external gaze on a fixed point with the intention of also holding your mental focus on that…
Your Questions

Why Do My Elbows Come Up In Headstand?

Proportions, technique, and lack of engagement with serratus anterior can all lead to having the elbows come up in headstand.