211: Anatomy Of The Spine

The spine is our central axis of support and our unifying scaffold for movement. Its unique structure makes it incredibly strong and mobile at the same time. Protector of the spinal cord, the spine is the home of our extended nervous system and provides the vital corridor for extending our brain into our body. Many people struggle with back and spine issues from daily activities such as sitting, driving, and working at desks. Yoga can be a very therapeutic practice for creating spinal awareness as well as strengthening the postural muscles that can become weakened by daily life. The yoga practice also provides a unique opportunity to move the spine in all directions through a full range of motion. By understanding the anatomy of the spine, you will be better equipped to confidently and safely teach asana in a way that can help safeguard and improve the spinal health of your students.

The spine is our central axis of support and our unifying scaffold for movement. Its unique structure makes it incredibly strong and mobile at the same time. Protector of the spinal cord, the spine is the home of our extended nervous system and provides the vital corridor for extending our brain into our body.

Many people struggle with back and spine issues from daily activities such as sitting, driving, and working at desks. Yoga can be a very therapeutic practice for creating spinal awareness as well as strengthening the postural muscles that can become weakened by daily life. The yoga practice also provides a unique opportunity to move the spine in all directions through a full range of motion.

By understanding the anatomy of the spine, you will be better equipped to confidently and safely teach asana in a way that can help safeguard and improve the spinal health of your students.

Course Curriculum

211: Anatomy Of The Spine

    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. JOURNAL REFLECTION #1

    3. PURPOSE OF THE SPINE

    4. STRUCTURE OF THE SPINE

    5. ACTIVITY #1: SELF-PALPATION AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #2

    6. STRUCTURE OF THE SPINE AND ACTIVITY #2

    7. HUMAN VARIATION AND ACTIVITY #3

    8. ACTIVITY #3 DEBRIEF

    9. QUIZ: LESSON ONE

    10. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW

    2. OVERVIEW OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS

    3. DISC DYSFUNCTION

    4. SPINE-PELVIS RELATIONSHIP AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #3

    5. JOURNAL REFLECTION #3 DEBRIEF

    6. QUIZ: LESSON TWO

    7. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW

    2. OVERVIEW OF THE CERVICAL SPINE

    3. MOVEMENTS OF THE CERVICAL SPINE AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #4

    4. CERVICAL SPINE IN ASANA

    5. OVERVIEW OF THE THORACIC SPINE

    6. MOVEMENTS OF THE THORACIC SPINE AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #5

    7. THORACIC SPINE IN ASANA

    8. OVERVIEW OF THE LUMBAR SPINE

    9. MOVEMENTS OF THE LUMBAR SPINE AND JOURNAL REFLECTION #6

    10. LUMBAR SPINE IN ASANA

    11. QUIZ: LESSON THREE

    12. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. LESSON OVERVIEW

    2. PRACTICE TEACHING EXEMPLAR

    3. UNIVERSAL PAIRED ACTIONS AND ACTIVITY #4

    4. QUIZ: LESSON FOUR

    5. LESSON SUMMARY

    1. FINAL ASSESSMENT

    2. ACADEMIC HONOR

    3. CONCLUSIONS & OUTSIDE PRACTICE

About this course

  • $45.00
  • 43 lessons

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

  • Describe the functions of the spine, and accurately describe the structure of the spine and intervertebral discs.

  • Teach backbends safely to accommodate spinal mobility and health.

  • Analyze how the structure of the spine and spinal issues will impact the performance of a given yoga asana.

Enroll Now

Student Reviews

5 star rating

Amazing

Precious Joseph

Videos were *chef kiss* I love the examples!!!

Videos were *chef kiss* I love the examples!!!

Read Less
5 star rating

Excellent

Joan Turlington

Such an important lesson that everyone should take to heart. Especially as we age! Back injuries are no joke, and tend to stay with you for a while. Being sa...

Read More

Such an important lesson that everyone should take to heart. Especially as we age! Back injuries are no joke, and tend to stay with you for a while. Being safe and proactive about my back is one of the main reasons I wanted to take this curriculum. I want to be able to move, preferably pain free, for as long as possible. Fiji does a great job explaining everything, and the graphics are great!

Read Less
5 star rating

clear and simple

stefania cibin

It explains in an easy way the essential anatomy of the spine

It explains in an easy way the essential anatomy of the spine

Read Less
5 star rating

Fine job

Ellen Broderick

Very helpful. I much appreciate the pace.

Very helpful. I much appreciate the pace.

Read Less
1 star rating

fine

Jill Campbell

Read Less

Meet Your Instructor

E-RYT 500, M.Ed Fiji McAlpine

After a debilitating back injury at 21, Fiji discovered the transformative power of yoga. Not just a remedy for her physical pain, yoga became her lifeline out of anorexia, a struggle intensified by the societal pressures of California's culture.

In 2002, Fiji stumbled into teaching yoga when an instructor was a no-show. That "accident" ignited a passion for teaching and led to becoming the director of development at DoYogaWithMe, a platform with a noble cause: making yoga accessible to everyone. The platform boasts 1,000+ class videos, 300,000+ registered users, and has become a sanctuary for those recovering from eating disorders.

Fiji is also an international retreat leader and a certified Yoga Teacher Trainer, mentored by the indomitable Mary Prefontaine. For Fiji, yoga isn't just a physical practice—it's a "dress rehearsal for life." She's not just teaching yoga; she's teaching people how to be better versions of themselves.