Essential Anatomy is a program for both experienced yoga teachers and yoga students seeking to deepen and explore the science of anatomy and physiology through the lens of yoga.

Yoga teachers will strengthen their confidence in supporting students on the mat and cultivate an expanded embodiment of their own personal practice.

Yoga students will strengthen their knowledge of functional movement as it applies to their yoga practice and daily activities. 

Teachers will learn and practice the following:

• Muscle, fascia, tendons and ligaments as structures generating both movement and stability in the body both in static and dynamic asana.
• Scar tissue and its impact both localized and distally throughout the body and its impact on asana and sensation in daily life.
• The dome of the foot as a rooting point and the stabilization of the three arches of the foot in asana.
• The anterior and posterior kinetic chain of muscle and corresponding joints and movement as related to each muscle responsible for engagement and elongation Samadhi asana.
• The pelvic bowl and its relationship to the legs as primary supporting structures
• The scapulas and surrounding muscle in relation to the range of motion and stability of the arm bone.
• The impact of movement or lack of movement of the ribs during inhalation and exhalation.
• The relationship between the shoulder muscles and cervical spine and skull.
• The mechanics of breathing and concepts of deeper breathing as related to pranayama and asana and how breath and musculature informs the autonomic nervous system and contributes to polyvagal tone.
• Pelvic, respiratory and vocal diaphragms as related to internal abdominal pressure, transit of materials, volume control and rate of respiration.

In addition, teachers will:

• Engage, elongate and slacken muscle groups independently to strengthen pathways of interoceptive awareness there by developing a deeper connection to ones self.
• Understand how everyday stress, over training of muscle groups and trauma impact the containers of the body where we store this unprocessed energy influencing the autonomic nervous system and our over all health.
• Track stuck energy in the body and enhance the ability to see energies in asana and in breath movements and support the safe release for self and students.
• Explore variations of shape in asana reflecting concepts of tension, compression, and bone shape.