PURCHASE SAM'S BOOKS & DVD
Text Size   | |
Location  |
Yoga Terminology
As a way of developing continuity across different yoga, exercise and medical platforms, it may be helpful to have an awareness of Kinesiology and Anatomical terminology. Accordingly, the following lists represent a basic vocabulary relevant to yoga.
Abduction
Movement of a body part away from center
Adduction
Movement of a body part toward center
Agonist
The muscle directly engaged in contraction as distinguished from antagonist
Antagonist
Muscles that have to relax to allow the Agonist to contract
Circumduction
Moves a part so its distal end describes a circle and the rest of the part describes a cone
Depression
The state of drawing the shoulder blades downward
Dorsiflexion
Drawing the foot upward toward the ankle
Elevation
The state of pulling the shoulder blades upward
Extension
A bending motion of a joint that lengthens its angle
Fibrillation
Abnormal muscle contraction where Individual fibers contract asynchronously
Flexion
A bending motion of a joint that shortens its angle
Hyperextension
To over straighten or bending motion of a joint that stretches beyond anatomical position
Isometric Contraction (Strengthen)
Where length remains constant but tension increases
Isotonic Contraction (Strengthen)
Contraction where tone or tension remains constant but muscle shortens (as in weight lifting)
Lateral
Refers to a body part further away from center than another body part
Medial
Refers to a body part closer to center than another body part
Plantarflexion
Moving the toes away from the ankle
PNF Stretching
Isometric contraction of antagonist muscle, then a stretching of the Agonist muscle
Pronation
Movement of the hand palm down
Proprioception
The awareness of posture, movement, and changes in weight and resistance in relation to the body
Protraction
The state of broadening or moving the shoulder blades outward
Proximal
Location of a body part toward center away from end
Relaxation
Stimulates production of neurotransmitters such as endorphins (inhibits pain conduction) and norepinephrine (involved in mood regulation as well as pleasure or reward emotions)
Relaxation Response
The ability to create relaxation at will. (The opposite of a willful neuromuscular action or response)
Retraction
The state of drawing the shoulder blades toward center
ROM
Range of Movement
Stretch:
Elongates muscle tissue matrix
Supinate
Movement of the hand palm up-- Subtly opens chest during supine breath management and relaxation
Tonus
Partial contraction in relays — important for maintaining proper posture:
Flaccidity=weak tonus
Spasticity=Overactive tonus
Anatomy of Yoga - 7th Cervical Vertebrae
The largest protruding neck vertebrae usually irritated during a classical shoulder stand
Abdominals & Obliques
Abdominals flex spine and obliques rotate torso in twisting. Important muscles of respiration in breath management
Adductors: (&, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Longus, Adductor Magnus, Gracilis)
Adducts the thigh
Biceps Brachii, Brachialis, Brachioradialis, Pronator Teres
Principal flexors of the arm at the elbow and provides suppination of the forearm.
Coccyx
The lowermost portion of the tailbone
Connective Tissue
Muscles, through contraction, pump fluids and cause the skeleton to move; Ligaments support bone to bone; Tendons connect muscle to bone; Fascia is the fibrous membrane covering, supporting, and separating muscles and uniting skin with under lying tissue; Blood transports nourishment and oxygen, among other factors to the tissues and takes away waste matter and carbon dioxide.
Deltoids, Pectoralis Major, Latissimus Dorsi, Teres Major, Coracobrachialis
Principal movers of the shoulder joint providing Adduction, Abduction, Extension, Flexion, Medial and Lateral Rotation of the arm
Diaphragm
Primary muscles of respiration in breath management
Erector Spinae
Principal movers of back. Traditionally thought to be the most probable source of low back muscular spasms and pain
Fascia
Connective tissue located throughout the body, such as beneath the skin, in between and surrounding muscles, organs, glands, blood vessels and nerves
Fontanel
The spot where four skull bones meet; the place where the head should be placed during headstand
Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Tibialis Posterior, Flexor Digitorum Longus, Flexor Hallicis Longus, Popliteus, Plantaris
Plantarflexion
Gluteals: Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus; Tensor Fasciae Latae; Deep Six Lateral Hip Rotators; lliotibial Tract
Extends, abducts, and rotates the femur
Hamstrings: Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, Biceps Femoris
Flexors of the leg at the knee; Extends the leg at the hip
liacus, lliopsoas, Psoas
Principal flexors of hip joint and must be engaged during "back bending" poses to alleviate back pain
Ileum
The upper most portion of the hip bone
lntercostals
Muscles between ribs; are secondary muscles of respiration
lschial Tuberosities
Known as the sitting bones; movement is essential for proper forward bends. Where biceps femoris (primary hamstring) originates
Kyphosis
An exaggerated curvature of the upper back
Latissimus Dorsi
Adducts the arm
Lordosis
An exaggerated curvature of the lumbar spine
Malleolus; Lateral & Medial
The ankle bones
Mid—Thoracic Vertebrae
Thoracic vertebrate number 5
Navicular Bone
The rectangular bone along the top of the foot. When lifted, it draws up the arch. Essential in releasing knee pain during backbends
Occipital Protuberance
The "bump" on the back of the skull
Patella
The knee cap. Excessive pressure, as in kneeling or Sun Salutations should be avoided
Pectoralis Major
Adducts and flexes the upper arm
Pectoralis Minor
Pulls the shoulder down and forward
Quadriceps: Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus lntermedius, Vastus Medialis
Extends the thigh at the knee; flexes the thigh at the hip. Relates to lliacus, psoas and iliopsoas in releasing for backbends
Sacrum, coccyx
Located at the base of the spinal column, the sacrum forms the back wall of the pelvis; the coccyx is at the end of the sacrum
Serratus Anterior & Posterior
Assists in protracting the shoulder blades. Assists lift in dog pose and headstand
Spinous Processes
The "knobs" on the back of the vertebral column. Can be felt to move inward when spine elongates
Sternum
The center breastbone
Tibialis Anterior, Extensor Digitorum Longus, Extensor Hallicis Longus, Peroneus Tertius
Dorsiflexion of foot
Trapeziums, Rhomboids, Levator Scapulae, Serratus Anterior, Pectoralis Minor
Assists or are responsible for
Retraction, Protraction, Elevation,
Depression, and Upward Rotation of
Shoulder blades
Triceps Brachii, Anconeus
Principal extensors of forearm
Vertebrae
7 cervical support skull and neck
12 thoracic support the thorax with 12 pairs of ribs
5 lumbar carry the largest proportional share of body weight
Xiphoid Process
The lowermost portion of the sternum
Return to Top