Yoga Anatomy 200 Hours

Course Description and Scope:

Understanding anatomy of the body is part of yoga fundamentals. By having this knowledge not only is one able to practice yoga safely, one is able to teach it with deeper insights on how the asanas impact the body.

The aim of this course is to:

  • Cover the bodily systems, such as musculoskeletal, respiratory, digestive, nervous and endocrine systems
  • Review how yoga impacts the body by looking at asanas from an anatomical perspective
  • Review anatomy of various yoga asanas
  • Introduction to how yoga can be used as therapy in cases of injury

Prerequisites:

Like most 200 Hrs. level courses there is no prerequisite required for this course.

Assignments:

TBA

Expected Outcomes:

Students are expected to develop a fundamental understanding of anatomy of the body and how yoga impacts the anatomy of the body.

Class Materials:

Notebooks and writing materials will be provided to all students at the commence of the program, and students are highly encouraged to bring notebooks to classes to take their own notes.

Second a yoga mat is required for this class and will be provided to all students each session. In addition should students choose to bring their own personal mat that is also welcome, but not mandatory.

Attendance Policy:

The certification of the YTT depends on students fulfilling 200 hours of learning. The program is run on a tight schedule and there is little room for students to make up any hours, should classes be missed, to qualify for a 200 Hour certificate. Thus students are highly expected to attend all classes. Should a student fall seriously ill, he/she is expected to contact the course instructor immediately. Otherwise students are expected in each class, on a daily basis; none of the classes are optional, they are all mandatory.

Readings:

While these are not mandatory readings, suggested readings prior to attending the course are:

  1. Anatomy of Hatha Yoga, by David Coulter
  2. Yoga Anatomy, by Leslie Kaminoff

This course draws on materials presented in these texts on anatomy for yoga. Having some familiarity with these texts and content may be helpful for students during the course. Prior readings also provide and opportunity for students to prepare a list of questions which can be brought to the course for further discussion and clarification (highly recommended!).

Week 1:

  1. What is Anatomy?
    • Fundamentals of Anatomy and how it relates to Yoga
  2. Major bodily systems: Roles and Functions (Part 1)
    • Respiratory System
    • Musclo-Skeletal System
    • Nervous System
  3. Major bodily systems: Roles and Functions (Part 2)
    • Digestive System
    • Endocrine System
  4. Anatomy of Seated Asanas
  5. Anatomy of Standing Asanas

Week 2:

  1. Anatomy of Forward Bends
  2. Anatomy of Back Bends
  3. Anatomy of Inversions
  4. Anatomy of Arm-Balances
  5. Anatomy of Twists

Week 3

  1. How to teach Anatomy
  2. How to incorporate Anatomy in yoga classes
  3. Yoga as therapy

Week 4

  1. Anatomy presentations by students