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
    WELCOME AND COURSE ORIENTATION
    • START HERE
    • HOW TO TAKE THIS COURSE
    • SYLLABUS
    • ABOUT YOUR FACULTY
    • COURSE MATERIALS
    • Q&A
  • 2
    LESSON ONE: OVERVIEW OF THE KNEE
    • LESSON OVERVIEW
    • ACTIVITY AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #1
    • WHAT IS THE KNEE?
    • STRUCTURE OF THE KNEE
    • ACTIVITY: SELF-PALPATION
    • PATELLA BEST PRACTICES #1
    • PATELLA BEST PRACTICES #2
    • MENISCUS AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #2
    • QUIZ
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 3
    LESSON TWO: APPLICATIONS TO ASANA
    • LESSON TWO OVERVIEW
    • LOTUS POSE (PADMASANA)
    • THE TWO PIGEONS
    • UPRIGHT PIGEON
    • FORWARD FOLDING PIGEON
    • HERO AND RECLINED HEROS (VIRASANA AND SUPTA VIRASANA)
    • ACTIVITY: TEACHING AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #3
    • QUIZ
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 4
    LESSON THREE: HYPEREXTENSION
    • LESSON OVERVIEW
    • HYPEREXTENSION AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #4
    • CUEING FOR HYPEREXTENSION
    • CUEING FOR HYPEREXTENSION: SEATED
    • ACTIVITY: PRACTICE TEACH AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #5
    • QUIZ
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 5
    LESSON FOUR: KNEE STABILITY
    • LESSON OVERVIEW
    • PASSIVE STABILITY: LIGAMENTS
    • LIGAMENTOUS INJURY
    • ACTIVE STABILITY: MUSCLES
    • QUIZ: LESSON FOUR
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 6
    CONCLUSION
    • FINAL ASSESSMENT
    • ACADEMIC HONOR
    • CONCLUSION AND OUTSIDE PRACTICE

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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Meet Your Instructor

  • Rachel Scott

    Senior Instructor

    Rachel Scott

    Rachel is a teacher trainer, mentor, and author based in Colorado. Practical and funny, she has a keen knack for breaking down complex topics into actionable skills. She loves inspiring her students to discover their voice and realize their passion and potential as yoga teachers. The Program Director for the YTT, she has also written five yoga books and shares her resources freely on you YouTube channel. Find out more at www.rachelyoga.com.