Yoga Anatomy

Yoga and the Spine 37

E5267/Kaminoff/fig2.24/417599/alw/pulled-r1

E5267/Kaminoff/fig2.25/417600/alw/pulled-r1

E5267/Kaminoff/fig2.26/417601/alw/pulled-r1

Figure 2.27 Child’s pose replicates the

primary curve of the unborn child.

Figure 2.28 In corpse pose, the primary

curves of the body (blue shaded areas) contact

the floor.

Figure 2.29 Corpse pose seen from below,

showing spinal origins of the autonomic ner-

vous system—sympathetic from the thoracic

region and parasympathetic from the cervical

and sacral regions.

flexion and extension, the primary and secondary Curves,

and inhalation and exhalation

The most basic movement of the spine emphasizes its primary curve: flexion. As discussed
previously, the primary curve is the curve present primarily in the thoracic spine, but it is
also obvious in the shape of the sacrum. It is no accident that the yoga pose that most
commonly exemplifies spinal flexion is called child’s pose (see figure 2.27)—it replicates the
primary curve of the unborn child. From a certain perspective, all the curves of the body
that are posteriorly convex can be seen as reflections of the primary curve. A simple way
to identify all the primary curves is to notice
all the parts of the body that contact the floor
in savasana, or corpse pose (see figures 2.28
and 2.29): the curve of the back of the head,
the upper back, the sacrum, and the backs of
the thighs, the calves, and the heels. Conse-
quently, the secondary curves are present in
all the body parts that are off the floor in this
position: the cervical and lumbar spine, the
backs of the knees, and the space posterior
to the Achilles tendons.