Yoga Anatomy

Yoga and the Spine 29

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Figure 2.15 Ligaments of the spine.

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Figure 2.16 Side view of the spine divided into

an anterior column of vertebral bodies and discs,

and a posterior column of arches and processes.

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Supraspinous ligament

Interspinous ligament

Ligamentum flavum

Facet joint capsule

Intertransverse ligament

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Intervertebral disc

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Figure 2.17 (a) Superior view of spinal ligaments and (b) lateral view of spinal ligaments.

To understand the overall architecture of the spine, it is useful to view it as two separate

columns. In the schematic side view in fi gure 2.16, its front-to-back dimension can be roughly

divided in half between a column of vertebral bodies and a column of arches. Functionally,

this arrangement very clearly evolved to contend with the dual requirements of stability and

plasticity. The anterior column of vertebral bodies deals with weight-bearing, compressive

forces, whereas the posterior column of arches deals with the tensile forces generated by

movement. Within each column, the dynamic relationship of bone to soft tissue exhibits a

balance of sthira and sukha. The vertebral bodies transmit compressive forces to the discs,

which resist compression by pushing back. The column of arches transmits tension forces

to all the attached ligaments (fi gure 2.17), which resist stretching by pulling back. In short,

the structural elements of the spinal column are involved in an intricate dance that protects

the central nervous system by neutralizing the forces of tension and compression.

a b