Course Overview

The shoulder girdle is where our upper arm connects to our axial skeleton. A healthy shoulder allows us to reach into the world, feed ourselves, stretch for something on the top shelf, throw a ball, practice chaturanga, and hug our loved ones. The movement of the shoulder girdle is composed of several bones and joints, working together in collaboration to create seamless movement. Because we often bear weight in our upper body in yoga, functionality of the shoulder girdle is essential for a healthy practice.

Note for CE Credits: If you are a current teacher taking this course for Yoga Alliance CE credits, you may submit for 2 hours of credit in Anatomy & Physiology.

Course Curriculum

205: Anatomy Of The Shoulder

    1. START HERE

    2. HOW TO TAKE THIS COURSE

    3. SYLLABUS

    4. ABOUT YOUR FACULTY

    5. COURSE MATERIALS

    6. Q&A

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW AND ​JOURNAL REFLECTION #1​

    2. WHAT IS THE SHOULDER?

    3. BONES AND JOINTS OF THE SHOULDER

    4. SKELETAL VARIATION AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #2

    5. SKELETAL VARIATION: DEBRIEF

    6. QUIZ: LESSON ONE

    7. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW

    2. SUPRASPINATUS

    3. INFRASPINATUS & TERES MINOR

    4. SUBSCAPULARIS

    5. QUIZ: LESSON TWO

    6. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW

    2. MOVEMENTS OF THE GLENOHUMERAL JOINT

    3. MOVEMENTS OF THE SCAPULOTHORACIC JOINT

    4. SCAPULOHUMERAL RHYTHM

    5. QUIZ: LESSON THREE

    6. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW

    2. RHOMBOIDS, SERRATUS ANTERIOR AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #3

    3. RHOMBOIDS AND SERRATUS ANTERIOR IN ACTION AND ACTIVITY #1

    4. TRAPEZIUS

    5. DELTOID

    6. LATISSIMUS DORSI AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #4

    7. PECTORALIS MAJOR AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #5

    8. QUIZ: LESSON FOUR

    9. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW

    2. IMPINGEMENT, BURSITIS AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #6

    3. SEPARATED SHOULDER

    4. OTHER ISSUES, AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #7

    5. QUIZ: LESSON FIVE

    6. LESSON SUMMARY

About this course

  • $45.00
  • 43 lessons

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

  • Describe the key structures (bones, joints) of the shoulder girdle.

  • Identify and describe the function of the rotator cuff and apply this understanding to safe asana practice.

  • Identify and locate the key muscles of scapular stabilization, and demonstrate their activation in plank pose and other asana such as arm balances.

Enroll Now

Student Reviews

5 star rating

Excellent course

Elizabeth B Potter

Thank you!

Thank you!

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5 star rating

Great course for the Shoulder!

Nicole Nance

I feel like this course was well laid out. I feel like I learned the basics of the shoulder and have an idea of where I want to learn more next! The notes ...

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I feel like this course was well laid out. I feel like I learned the basics of the shoulder and have an idea of where I want to learn more next! The notes are very helpful and I enjoy the instructor videos.

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5 star rating

Great class

Joan Turlington

Another great class that I will have to refer back to before I remember it all! But I do enjoy and value how dense with information this course is. Thanks!

Another great class that I will have to refer back to before I remember it all! But I do enjoy and value how dense with information this course is. Thanks!

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5 star rating

Such a complex and important joint (or set of joints)!

Abigail Watkins

Understanding the complex array of joints and stabilising muscles of the shoulder is key to creating safe yoga practices. This course is complete and yet co...

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Understanding the complex array of joints and stabilising muscles of the shoulder is key to creating safe yoga practices. This course is complete and yet concise and I now feel I have a far greater understanding of shoulder anatomy and how it relates to yoga practice

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5 star rating

Excellent synthetic course

Amy G

Great synthetic course that gives bitesized information thus enabling its effective digestion.

Great synthetic course that gives bitesized information thus enabling its effective digestion.

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5 star rating

:)

Precious Joseph

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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.