Australian Yoga Journal - April 2018

75

april 2018

yogajournal.com.au

ANATOMY

your practice

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE:

FASCIA 101

FASCIA IS THE BIOLOGICAL FABRIC that holds us

together—the connective-tissue network. This

collagenous network of gel and fibre is made up in

part by an “extra-cellular matrix,” manufactured

inside a connective-tissue cell and then extruded

out into intercellular space. The fibre-gel matrix

remains an immediate part of the environment of

every cell, similar to how cellulose helps provide

structure to plant cells. (Remember, we are more

like a plant than a machine.)

The fascial fibres

The Anatomy Trains body map (left) shows our

myofascial, or muscle-fascia, anatomy. These 12

whole-body myofascial meridians are more

evident in dissection. While most anatomy

textbooks show the muscles with the filmy

fascia removed, this map illustrates fascia’s

deeper function: as global lines of tension,

proprioception, and interoception that embed the

body’s neuromuscular network, acting to keep

your skeleton in shape, guide movement, and

coordinate postural patterns. Understanding how

these lines function can help unlock a deeper

understanding of anatomy for your yoga practice.

For example, in Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

(Upward-Facing Dog Pose), you are stretching the

entire superficial front lines of fascia—the green

lines—from the tops of your feet all the way up to

the sides of your neck to the back of your skull.

You are also challenging all four arm lines. When

you strike the right balance in this pose, you can

feel your fascial web helping you realise tension

and stability, effort and ease.

FIBROBLAST

RETICULIN

COLLAGEN

FIBRE

ELASTIN

TROPOCOLLAGEN