Rethinking Yoga Anatomy – Rethinking Spinal Movement

In this practice we will go through a few misunderstood instructions that have been passed down over the years that with modern information have now become redundant. Instructions like; draw your heels down to the floor in Downward dog, squeeze your legs together in backbends, bring your weight on the outer feet to stabilise. With modern anatomy and physiology, we can improve the biomechanics of preforming our Asanas to achieve the desired result of practice and have sustainable alignments to carry on practicing into ageing. 

The four main poses we will repeat at different gravitational plains will be 

Virabhadrasana, 

Parsvottanasana, 

Trikonasana and 

Parvita Trikonasana 

(thought they are called different names as we explore them as we transverse across those plains). 

Specifically looking at anterior and posterior tilting of the pelvis, then flexion, extension, hyperextension and twist of the spine in relation to the pelvic tilt. This is to follow the instruction of practice of Asana according to the Yoga Sutras 2:46 Sthira and Sukham/Steadiness and Ease. We will continue to repeat that stabilising, strengthening and maintaining integrity of alignment is the primary action and then work with and ease as we open to becoming more flexible in the pose. 

The philosophical layer is to implement a Buddha Smile as a mudra (seal) to influence the mind, nervous system to calm as we preform the Asanas in which we cultivate Yoga Sutra 1:33 loving awareness, friendliness, joy and compassion.

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Published on September 22, 2023