Yoga Anatomy

Skeletal joint actions

Spine Upper limbs Lower limbs

Cervical and upper thoracic

flexion, lower thoracic and

lumbar extension

Scapular adduction, upward

rotation, and elevation;

shoulder adduction; elbow

extension; forearm prona-

tion

Hip extension and adduction,

knee extension, ankle dor-

siflexion

Muscular joint actions

Spine

To calibrate concentric and eccentric

contractions to support spine:

Spinal extensors and flexors

Eccentric contraction

To resist flexion from weight of body:

Cervical spinal extensors

Upper limbs

Concentric contraction

To adduct, elevate, and upwardly

rotate scapula:

Trapezius, levator scapulae

To upwardly rotate scapula:

Serratus anterior

To flex and adduct shoulder against pull

of gravity:

Teres minor, coracobrachialis

To stabilize shoulder joint and prevent

protraction of head of humerus:

Rotator cuff

To adduct shoulder and extend elbow:

Triceps brachii

Lower limbs

Concentric contraction

To resist leg falling toward face:

Hamstrings, gluteus maximus

To extend, adduct, and internally rotate hip:

Adductor magnus, gracilis

To extend knee:

Vastii

Niralamba Sarvangasana (continued)