YTT Themed Intensive Module

The New Anatomy of Yoga
3D Visual and Dynamic Anatomy of Yoga

The New Anatomy of Yoga

  • Format: YTT Themed Intensive Module
  • Instruction Time: 14 hrs (200-hr), 14-30 hrs (300-hr and 500 hr, or Cont Ed)

The New Anatomy of Yoga is more than an old school anatomy lesson projected onto yoga. New Anatomy is the anatomy of the living yogic body, a cutting edge visual and tactile exploration into the structural, dynamic and subtle anatomy of the body in yoga asana practice. 3D anatomical softeware, tactile connection with study partners and intuitive visualization bring two dimentional learning to life in this life changing course. This is anatomy as self knowledge.

An integrated knowledge of anatomy is essential to the practice and teaching of yoga. Itʼs been well documented that Yoga improves the performance of the body and mind, and likewise, a mature practitioner understands that a healthy body means a more productive yoga practice with fewer injuries or setbacks.

This course will offer a 3D inner visual and tactile approach to the learning of anatomy for teachers of yoga that is intuitive and fun. Referance to the subtle body will tie in the connections between the physical and the subtle bodies. Massage and palpation of oneʼs self and study partners will help the student to locate important anatomical surface landmarks with ease.

NB: Required texts below. Students must bring both texts!

The New Anatomy of Yoga is a comprehensive anatomy program that fulfills Yoga Alliance 200, 300, and 500 hour teacher training requirements for anatomy instruction. Yoga Alliance anatomy and physiology requirements include both physical and subtle body anatomy instruction. This course satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for physical body anatomy and physiology. The The Subtle Anatomy of Yoga: Awakening the Pranic Body satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for subtle body anatomy and physiology. Combined, these two courses satisfy all YA requirements for anatomy and physiology.

Course Sections

Course 1
Slideshow: A Visual History of Asana in Yoga (1 hr)

We’ll start the module with a visual presentation of the history of asna within yoga, including medeival, Pre-Classical, Classical, Post-Classical, and modern eras of yoga. Beautiful images of contemprary yogis in India, including sadhus in asana practice, the warrior nagas, and death defying aghoris. Contemporary students will sense their place in the evolving history of yoga and descendants of an unbroken line of yogis practicing asana.

Course 2
The 21 Anatomical Principles of Asana Practice (3 hr)

This section will review key anatomical principles of asana practice universal to all styles of modern practice. A few of these principles include universal alignment, anatomical authenticity, mindfulness, application of all 8 Limbs in asana, natural breathing versus controlled breathing, balancing stability versus mobility in the joints, somatic listening, injury prevention and management, inner movement sequencing, etc.

Course 3
3D Visual Anatomy of Asana: Bones, Joints, Ligaments, and Stretching (4 hr)

The third part of the module will focus on introductory anatomical concepts and languaging, and movement principles of yoga asana using high tech 3D anatomical software projections. Students will be visually introduced to the anatomical structures of bones, joints and ligaments in referrance to yoga asana movement.

Course 4
The Neuroscience of Flexibility (2 hr)

The neuroscience of flexibility section will explore the four types of stretching and the role of primal spinal reflex arcs in supporting flexibility, as well as their role in preventing trauma to muscle due to over stretching. These include muscle spindle stretch recepters, golgi tendon organs, reciprocal inhibition, facilitated stretching, muscle awakening, preparatory poses, movement by body region, and a visual tour of the spine and it’s role in a healthy yoga practice.

Course 5
Exploring the Major Muscles of Yoga with Visuals, Movement and Palpation (4 hr)

The major muscles section makes learning the muscles fun. Students will learn the primary muscles utilized in asana practice, including their actions, movements, origin and insertions, joint actions, awakening, stretches, as well as muscle antagonists and synergists. In palpation techniques, students will explore the primary superficial muscles on themselves and study partners via anatomical landmark, tissue qualities, muscle movement, and intuitive sensory training.

All YTT modules