Anatomy and Physiology The Practice of Yoga

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Anatomy and PhysiologyThe Practice of Yoga

• You are as young as your spine is flexible.
• The Spine twists, bends, flexes, protects the
  spinal cord
• 26 vertebrae - 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5
  lumbar,
• sacrum (5 fused vertebrae), coccyx (4 fused
  vertebrae)
• Vertebral discs - cartilage, spines shock
  absorbers flexion, extension, rotation
  occurs at the discs
• Spines shape is like an S for stability and
  shock absorption, lumbar spine lordosis
• Strength and flexibility improve with yoga

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Terms of Movement
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A YOGIS SKELETON
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The Joints and Yoga

• - Not all joints move to the same extent
  vertebrae, shoulder, knee
• - Hinge jointknee, elbowrespect the hinge
  (lotus pose)
• - Ball and Socketshoulder, hipvery mobile and
  must also be protected
• Synovial fluid lubricates the joints
• Warm-up

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Muscles
Three types of muscle tissue - striated
skeletal muscles - smooth visceral muscles -
cardiac.striated, involuntary Muscles function
as - agonist, prime movers - antagonist -
synergists
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Skeletal Muscle Components
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Goodbye
Rear View Striated, Voluntary Muscles
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Front View Striated, Voluntary Muscles
Power to the People
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Muscles cont.
- Muscles stretchtendons dont - Proprioceptors
found among muscle fibers, send information on
muscle contraction/position to brain - Aerobic
exercise - yoga, even Power yoga - Anaerobic
exercise -out of breath - Muscle
tension/contraction Isotonicmovement Isometric
same-length contraction
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Five Important Physiological Factors
Possible Limitations Instructors Must Consider

• Tensionmuscles, tendons, ligaments
• Compressionphysical limits caused by bones or
  tissues
• Bone lengtheach of us is different
• Strengthsignificant limitation for beginners
• Orientationinfluenced by age, posture, injury
  history
• There is great variety in the appearance of the
  correct pose. Our challenge is to recognize
  individuality and to help students improve all
  aspects of their yoga practice.

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No Pain! No Pain!
- Those who are most flexible must take care -
Most start yoga with little body
self-knowledge - Class introductory
remarks Take care of yourself Modify the
pose No pain Vertigo Some pay no attention,
competitive nature - Breath before pose
Working the Edge