Yoga Anatomy

Notes

In this rotated pose the spine is more extended than in bakasana (page 232). If the knees
separate in this pose, the rotation is happening more in the hip joints than in the spine.

Breathing

Breathing in this pose is similar to that in bakasana, but even more restricted because of
the twisting of the spine.

Muscular joint actions

Spine

Concentric contraction

To extend cervical spine:

Rectus capitis posterior, obliquus capitis

superior

To rotate spine:

Internal oblique, erector spinae (bottom side);

external oblique, multifidi, rotatores (top

side)

Upper limbs

Concentric contraction

To abduct scapula:

Serratus anterior, pectoralis major and minor,

coracobrachialis

To stabilize and protect shoulder joint:

Rotator cuff, deltoid

To extend elbow:

Triceps brachii

To pronate forearm:

Pronator quadratus and teres

To maintain integrity of hand:

Intrinsic muscles of wrist and hand

Lower limbs

Concentric contraction

To flex hip:

Psoas major, iliacus

To adduct and flex hip:

Pectineus, adductor longus and brevis