Demystifying Anatomy and Yoga physiology

Elodie Abadie • 8 décembre 2023
Hello yogis!
You may have heard terms like anatomy and physiology in yoga class and thought, "What does this have to do with my yoga poses?"
Well, let me tell you, it has everything to do with it! Understanding the anatomy and physiology of your body is essential for a safe and effective yoga practice. But don't worry, we'll explain it all to you in a simple and informal way.

1/ Anatomy: Your body’s instruction manual

First of all, anatomy is like your body's instruction manual. It's the study of the human body's structure, including bones, muscles, joints, organs and all the rest. Knowing how these parts fit together is crucial to doing yoga poses right. Let's take a simple example: downward facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). You know, when you're on all fours,

buttocks up, heels down? Well, anatomy will tell you which muscles and joints are involved. For example, your shoulders, arms, legs and back muscles are working in this pose. Understanding this will help you to perform it without injury.


2/Physiology: How it Works Underneath

Now, let's talk about physiology. This is like the instruction manual on how your body works below the surface. It's about how your organs and systems work together to keep your body in balance. Take breathing, for example. Physiology will tell you how your diaphragm contracts to allow your lungs to fill with air, and how this affects your heart, your blood circulation, and even your brain. The breath is at the very heart of Yoga and understanding how it works can significantly improve your practice.

3/Why Anatomy and Physiology are important in Yoga

Now that we know what anatomy and physiology are, why are they so important to yoga?


1. **Injury Prevention**: The first reason is that

it prevents you from injuring yourself. When you know which parts of your body are involved in a pose, you can protect them and avoid pushing too hard.


2. **Better precision**: Anatomy and physiology help you perform the poses with a lot more precision. You know where to put your foot or how to align your arms, which maximizes the benefits of the pose.


3. **Adaptability**: Every body is different, and anatomy and physiology can help you personalize your practice. If you have an injury or limitations, you can adjust the poses to meet your needs.

4. **Improving Flexibility and Strength**: Understanding how your muscles and joints work can help you target your flexibility and strength.


5. **Body Awareness** : Anatomy and physiology reinforce your body awareness. You become more attentive to the sensations in your body during the practice, which leads to better meditation and relaxation.


4/Main elements: Muscles and Joints

Yoga involves two main elements: muscles and joints.


- Muscles**: Muscles are the driving force behind your movements. When you bend, stretch or hold a pose, your muscles are at work, For example, in the warrior pose (Virabhadrasana), the quadriceps, back muscles and shoulders

shoulders are engaged. Knowing which muscle is at work helps you strengthen and stretch the right spot.

- **Joints**: Joints are the turning points of your body. They are the points where two bones come together, to allow movement. For example, in the tree pose

(Vrikshasana), your ankle is a key joint. Understanding how joints work can help you avoid unnecessary strain.


5/ Balance and Alignment : The key to success

Now that you know the muscles and joints, let's talk about balance and alignment. It's kind of like the icing on the cake.

- Balance**: Balance is very important in yoga. You use it to maintain the poses, whether you're standing on one leg in the tree pose or balancing in a handstand position. It's a subtle blend of strength, focus, and body awareness.

- Alignment**: Alignment is the way you place your body in a certain pose. For instance, with downward facing dog, you need to align your hands, shoulders and back to avoid unnecessary tension. Proper alignment maximizes the benefits of the pose and minimizes the risk of injury.


6/ Breathing : The Life-breath

Let's not forget the breath. It's an essential aspect of yoga, and physiology has a major part here.

When you breathe consciously and deeply during yoga, you activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This generates a relaxation response, lowers blood pressure, and creates a state of mental peace. In other words, it's like pressing the "relax" button for both your body and mind.

On top of that, proper breathing improves blood circulation and oxygen supply to the muscles, helping to increase flexibility and reduce tension. Breathing is like the fuel for your yoga practice.


7/Body Awareness : Listening to your body



At the end of the day, anatomy and physiology are tools for developing deep body awareness. You start to feel and understand the sensations in your body body during practice. This connects you more to yourself, reduces stress, and promotes meditation and relaxation.

So, what should we keep in mind?

Anatomy and physiology are like your secret allies for a safer, more effective yoga practice. They prevent injury, improve alignment, strengthen and stretch

your muscles intelligently, and help you connect more deeply with yourself. Yoga is an inner adventure, and this knowledge will guide you on the path to discovering your own body and mind.

So take a deep breath, stretch, and let your yoga practice take you to new heights. Namaste!

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