Yoga Anatomy

Kurmasana

Turtle Pose

koor-MAHS-anna

kurma = tortoise, turtle

E5267/Kaminoff/fig7.17a/417690/alw/pulled-r2

Spinal extensors

Hamstrings

Diaphragm

E5267/Kaminoff/fig7.17b/417691/alw/pulled-r1

Spinal extensors

Classification

Symmetrical seated forward-bending pose

Skeletal joint actions

Spine Upper limbs Lower limbs

Cervical extension, thoracic

and lumbar flexion moving

toward extension

Scapular downward rotation

and abduction, shoulder

abduction and internal

rotation, elbow extension,

forearm pronation

SI joint nutation, hip flexion

and abduction, knee exten-

sion, ankle dorsiflexion

(continued)