Anatomy and Physiology for Yoga Teachers

Yoga Anatomy

If you’re thinking of becoming a yoga instructor, it’s important to learn the basics of anatomy and physiology for yoga teachers. Understanding how the body works will help you become a better teacher and give your students the best possible experience. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the basics of human anatomy and physiology, including the muscles, bones, and organs involved in yoga. We’ll also talk about some common injuries that can occur in yoga class and how to prevent them.

As a yoga teacher, it’s important to have a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology. The better you understand how the body works, the better you’ll be able to teach and help your students avoid injuries.

The human body is made up of many different parts, including the muscles, bones, and organs. In yoga, we use all of these parts to help us move and stretch in different ways. By understanding how each part of the body works, we can better target our yoga practice to specific areas.

For example, the muscles are responsible for moving the bones. They’re attached to the bones by tendons, and they work together to create movement. The bones provide support and structure for the body, and they also protect the organs. The organs are responsible for many different functions, including digestion, respiration, circulation, and excretion.

By learning the basics of human anatomy and physiology, you can become a better yoga teacher and help your students enjoy a safe and healthy practice.

The human body is made up of many different parts, including the muscles, bones, and organs. In yoga, we use all of these parts to help us move and stretch in different ways. By understanding how each part of the body works, we can better target our yoga practice to specific areas.

Parts of the Spine

The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae, which are separated into five different regions: the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, sacral spine, and coccyx. The vertebrae are held together by ligaments and muscles, and they allow us to move in a variety of directions.

The spine is a very important part of the body, and it’s especially important for yoga teachers to understand how it works. That’s because the spine is responsible for many different things, including protecting the spinal cord, providing support for the head and neck, and helping us to move.

The pelvis

Another important part of the body is the pelvis, and it’s made up of the hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx. This protects the organs in the lower abdomen and provides a strong base for the spine.

In yoga, we often talk about “opening” or “closing” the pelvis. This refers to the position of the hip bones in relation to the spine. When the pelvis is “open,” the hip bones are angled away from the spine, and when the pelvis is “closed,” the hip bones are angled towards the spine.

The position of the pelvis has a big impact on our posture and movement. That’s why it’s important for yoga teachers to understand how the pelvis works and how it affects the posture and movement of their students.

Our sit bones

Sit bones are located on the pelvis, and they provide a stable base for our spine. When we sit on our sit bones, it helps to keep the spine in a neutral position. This is important because it allows the spine to move freely and without pain.

In yoga, we often talk about “sitting on our sit bones.” This means that we should try to keep our spine in a neutral position when we’re sitting. This helps to prevent pain and injury, and it also allows the spine to move freely.

Anterior and Posterior Positioning

Anterior and posterior positioning refers to the position of the body in relation to the spine. When we’re in an anterior position, the front of our body is facing the spine, and when we’re in a posterior position, the back of our body is facing the spine.

Anterior and posterior positioning is important because it affects our posture and movement. For example, when we’re in an anterior position, it’s easier to maintain a neutral spine. This is because the front of the body is supporting the spine. However, when we’re in a posterior position, it’s easy to round the spine. This can lead to pain and injury.

That’s why it’s important for yoga teachers to understand anterior and posterior positioning. By understanding how the body is positioned in relation to the spine, they can help their students find a safe and comfortable position.

There are many different yoga poses, and each one has a unique effect on the body. By understanding the anatomy and physiology of the body, you can become a better yoga teacher and help your students enjoy a safe and healthy practice.

Proximal and Distal Positioning

Proximal and distal positioning refers to the position of the body in relation to the spine. When we’re in a proximal position, the front of our body is facing the spine, and when we’re in a distal position, the back of our body is facing the spine.

Proximal and distal positioning is important because it affects our posture and movement. For example, when we’re in a proximal position, it’s easier to maintain a neutral spine. This is because the front of the body is supporting the spine. However, when we’re in a distal position, it’s easy to round the spine. This can lead to pain and injury.

Medial and Lateral Positioning

Medial and lateral positioning refers to the position of the body in relation to the spine. When we’re in a medial position, the front of our body is facing the spine, and when we’re in a lateral position, the back of our body is facing the spine.

Medial and lateral positioning is important because it affects our posture and movement. For example, when we’re in a medial position, it’s easier to maintain a neutral spine. This is because the front of the body is supporting the spine. However, when we’re in a lateral position, it’s easy to round the spine. This can lead to pain and injury.

Sagittal, Coronal, and Transverse Planes

The sagittal plane is an imaginary line that runs from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet. The coronal plane is an imaginary line that runs from side to side, and the transverse plane is an imaginary line that runs from front to back. These planes are important because they help us understand how the body moves.

The sagittal plane is important because it helps us understand how the body moves in a forward and backward direction. The coronal plane is important because it helps us understand how the body moves from side to side. The transverse plane is important because it helps us understand how the body rotates.

Movement: Flexion and Extension

Flexion and extension are two types of movement that occur in the sagittal plane. For example, flexion occurs when we bend our body forward, and extension occurs when we extend our body backward. Flexion allows us to sit down, and extension allows us to stand up.

There are many different yoga poses that involve flexion and extension. For example, the forward bend is a yoga pose that involves flexion, and the downward-facing dog is a yoga pose that involves extension.

Movement: Internal Rotation and External Rotation

Internal rotation and external rotation are two types of movement that occur in the transverse plane. This means, that internal rotation occurs when we rotate our body inward. And, external rotation occurs when we rotate our body outward. For example, the internal rotation allows us to turn our heads to the left. And, the external rotation allows us to turn to the right. There are many different yoga poses that involve internal rotation and external rotation. For example, the Warrior III posture is a yoga pose that involves internal rotation. Can you think of a posture that used external rotation?

Movement: Adduction and Abduction

This movement occurs in the coronal plane. Adduction occurs when we move our body toward the midline. Abduction occurs when we move our body away from the midline.

Adduction and abduction are important because they help us move our bodies in a variety of directions. For example, adduction allows us to bring our arms closer to our bodies. Abduction allows us to move our arms away from our bodies.

There are many different yoga poses that involve adduction and abduction. For example, the Triangle posture is a yoga pose that involves abduction movement.

Where do we go from here?

Now that you have a basic understanding of the planes of movement and the types of movement, parts of the spine, and more you can begin to incorporate this knowledge into your yoga teaching. For example, when you’re teaching a pose that involves flexion, cue your students to maintain a neutral spine. And when you’re teaching a pose that involves internal rotation, cue your students to keep their shoulders down and away from their ears.

By incorporating this knowledge into your yoga teaching, you will be able to provide students with safe and effective practice.

This blog was created by Jennifer Smeddy, M.Ed., RYT 500 who has been practicing yoga for over twenty-five years. She has taught yoga anatomy and physiology classes to hundreds of Yoga Teacher Training students with Leading Yoga. believes that her passion lies in helping others develop strong personal practices and creating space to be happy and healthy. Jennifer enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her family. She is currently the director and a lead instructor at LeadingYoga.com teaching online yoga classes and yoga teacher training certification coursework.

If you like this blog share it with your friends! Share your thoughts or comments and get in touch with us – we’d love to hear from you! Also, if you would like to write a blog for us get in contact with us too!