Course Overview

Located between the highly mobile hip and ankle, the knee is a modified hinge joint that permits us to walk, run, knee, jump, squat, and move in the world. While the knee primarily moves in one direction like a hinge, it does have some capacity to twist when the knee is bent. In yoga, practitioners are invited to explore the full range of motion that is possible at their hip joint. However, if the hip joint is not particularly mobile (due to skeletal factors or muscular or fascial tightness), it can become tempting to capitalize on the knee’s ability to twist in order to achieve the pose. Understanding the functional movement of the knee will allow you to keep the knee safe while effectively opening the hips to your best capacity.

Note for CE Credits: If you are a current teacher taking this course for Yoga Alliance CE credits, you may submit for 3 hours of credit in Anatomy 

Course Curriculum

207: Anatomy Of The Knee

    1. START HERE

    2. HOW TO TAKE THIS COURSE

    3. SYLLABUS

    4. ABOUT YOUR FACULTY

    5. COURSE MATERIALS

    6. Q&A

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW

    2. ACTIVITY AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #1

    3. WHAT IS THE KNEE?

    4. STRUCTURE OF THE KNEE

    5. ACTIVITY: SELF-PALPATION

    6. PATELLA BEST PRACTICES #1

    7. PATELLA BEST PRACTICES #2

    8. MENISCUS AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #2

    9. QUIZ

    10. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. LESSON TWO OVERVIEW

    2. LOTUS POSE (PADMASANA)

    3. THE TWO PIGEONS

    4. UPRIGHT PIGEON

    5. FORWARD FOLDING PIGEON

    6. HERO AND RECLINED HEROS (VIRASANA AND SUPTA VIRASANA)

    7. ACTIVITY: TEACHING AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #3

    8. QUIZ

    9. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW

    2. HYPEREXTENSION AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #4

    3. CUEING FOR HYPEREXTENSION

    4. CUEING FOR HYPEREXTENSION: SEATED

    5. ACTIVITY: PRACTICE TEACH AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #5

    6. QUIZ

    7. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW

    2. PASSIVE STABILITY: LIGAMENTS

    3. LIGAMENTOUS INJURY

    4. ACTIVE STABILITY: MUSCLES

    5. QUIZ: LESSON FOUR

    6. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. FINAL ASSESSMENT

    2. ACADEMIC HONOR

    3. CONCLUSION AND OUTSIDE PRACTICE

About this course

  • $45.00
  • 41 lessons

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the movement and muscles that impact the knee joint.

  • Accurately describe the structures of the knee and identify their respective risk factors.

  • Apply your anatomical understanding to safely instruct poses such as hero's pose, pigeon, and hip openers by incorporating the knee mantra.

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Self-Paced options below; Cohorts also available

Student Reviews

5 star rating

Really great course

Kate Shaw

Loved this. Rachel's trademark knowledge and enthusiasm really shine through in this and I'm left fascinated and humbled by the genius of our bodies

Loved this. Rachel's trademark knowledge and enthusiasm really shine through in this and I'm left fascinated and humbled by the genius of our bodies

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5 star rating

Clear instruction on protecting the knee - in yoga and in...

Abigail Watkins

Thinking about the knee as a pure hinge joint is fundamental to understanding how to protect the knee. I now have a clear understanding of how to protect my...

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Thinking about the knee as a pure hinge joint is fundamental to understanding how to protect the knee. I now have a clear understanding of how to protect my own and my students' knees through all yoga asanas.

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5 star rating

Safety first!

Amanda Alexander

The devil is in the details! These important tips have already made a different in how my knees feel and I know they will help me more safely teach students....

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The devil is in the details! These important tips have already made a different in how my knees feel and I know they will help me more safely teach students. Thank you so very much~

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5 star rating

So essential, the knee, who knew protecting it could be s...

Virginia Rego

Oh my knee, such a crucial joint that, like the back, seems to have issues with much of the population.Good to get the basics reinforced (pun not intended!) ...

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Oh my knee, such a crucial joint that, like the back, seems to have issues with much of the population.Good to get the basics reinforced (pun not intended!) for safe and effective practice both on and off the mat.

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5 star rating

Great videos

Precious Joseph

content full of information

content full of information

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Meet Your Instructor

E-RYT 500, LMT, MFA, MS Rachel Scott

Teacher trainer, author and ERYT 500 instructor, Rachel has spent thousands of hours leading YTTs, mentoring teachers and helping students uncover and express their voice, passion and potential by building the pragmatic skills that they need to share their own teaching voice with confidence.

To build this robust and transformational YTT, she combined her extensive academic training as an educator (M.Sci Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies, BA Columbia University, Phi Beta Kappa) with her cumulative experience as a trainer, teacher, and mentor.

An anatomy nerd, Rachel is also a licensed massage therapist and has spent hundreds of hours in the cadaver lab. Her books include, "Yoga for Mind, Body & Spirit," "Living Yoga," and "Head Over Heels: A Yogis' Guide to Dating." Connect with her on Instagram and YouTube @rachelscottyoga.