103: Language Of Anatomy

Although yoga is ultimately a practice that addresses all layers of human experience (including the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual), we generally practice hatha yoga through creating shapes and movements with our physical body. Because the physical body is an instrument of the practice, it is important for us to have a robust understanding of functional movement. By learning anatomical language, we are able to more clearly see, understand, and describe human movement, which gives us a common language with other health professionals and sets a foundation for understanding anatomy.

Note for CE Credits: If you are a current teacher taking this course for Yoga Alliance CE credits, you may submit for 1 hour of credit in Anatomy and Physiology via the Yoga Alliance website. 

In this course, you will learn to:

  • Describe three reasons that understanding anatomical language is useful for a yoga teacher.

  • Demonstrate anatomical position and use anatomical language to describe postures.

  • Perform and identify the movements that are possible in the three planes.

Course Curriculum

103: Language Of Anatomy

  • 1
    WELCOME AND ORIENTATION
    • START HERE
    • HOW TO TAKE THIS COURSE
    • SYLLABUS
    • ABOUT YOUR FACULTY
    • COURSE MATERIALS
    • Q&A
  • 2
    LESSON ONE: THE PLANES OF MOVEMENT
    • JOURNAL REFLECTION #1
    • INTRODUCTION TO LESSON ONE
    • OVERVIEW OF THE PLANES
    • QUIZ: THE THREE PLANES
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 3
    LESSON TWO: THE SAGITTAL PLANE
    • INTRODUCTION TO LESSON TWO
    • THE SAGITTAL PLANE
    • QUIZ: SAGITTAL PLANE
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 4
    LESSON THREE: THE CORONAL PLANE
    • INTRODUCTION TO LESSON THREE
    • THE CORONAL PLANE
    • QUIZ: THE CORONAL PLANE
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 5
    LESSON FOUR: THE TRANSVERSE PLANE
    • INTRODUCTION TO LESSON FOUR
    • THE TRANSVERSE PLANE
    • QUIZ: TRANSVERSE PLANE
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 6
    LESSON FIVE: USING ANATOMICAL LANGUAGE
    • INTRODUCTION TO LESSON FIVE
    • USING ANATOMICAL LANGUAGE
    • QUIZ: ANATOMICAL LANGUAGE
    • REVIEW ACTIVITY
    • CHAIR POSE: DECONSTRUCTED
    • LESSON SUMMARY
  • 7
    CONCLUSION
    • FINAL ASSESSMENT
    • ACADEMIC HONOR
    • CONCLUSION & OUTSIDE PRACTICE

Do Just This Course

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Self-Paced options below; Cohorts also available

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.

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