A basic understanding of anatomy and yoga therapy is key for the safety and development of your yoga practice. It is beneficial for both yoga practitioners and yoga teachers.
Integrating the knowledge of Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy encourages injury prevention and facilitates the healing process of your body and mind on many levels.
“In my own personal practice, I have used this knowledge to help heal my back issues and eliminate the pain that it has caused for so many years.”
One primary aspect of Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy is to study the various parts of body and movements in relation to a yoga practice. This gives you the essential tools to analyze your practice and teachings to create healthy functional movement patterns.
Integrating Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy reinforces the importance of alignment for the purpose of safety – for your joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments rather than for an esthetic appeal.
The patterns you create on our yoga mat can affect how you progress outside of yoga, meaning that your muscle memory can create healthy habits to impact other activities in your daily life.
Another aspect of Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy is Introducing the mind-body connection through the breath and energetic awareness. This encourages deep transformation by allowing you to turn inwards and get deep insights and awareness about your mind and thought processes.
If the focus is only on what’s external, the deeper mind-body connection is difficult if not impossible to find. It becomes dulled down to physical fitness and exercise without any space for growth. Although we want to encourage physical wellness for ourselves and our students, we do not want to neglect holistic health and well-being.
The big question is, how can I learn more about Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy? The best answer is to find and take a course that is taught in a meaningful, integrated and holistic way.
There are a lot of Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy courses out there, but here are some things to look out for when selecting a successful program.
Gain Confidence & Knowledge
A Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy Course should give you more confidence when it comes to teaching and practicing. Hands-on and experiential learning can empower you to create a successful yoga class suitable for you or your students.
Cultivate Safe and Healthy Yoga Practices
A Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy Course should teach you how to create a safe and fun yoga class for those who have specific injuries, limitations and conditions. Using variations, props, and mindful sequencing can create an inclusive yoga class.
Student Interactions
A Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy Course should be very interactive. Its important for students to have the chance to discuss, interact and assess each other during the training.
Perform a Body Assessment
A Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy Course should teach you how to assess your body’s posture and alignment as well as others. Learning to read cues through body language, breathing patterns, and facial expressions are important as a yoga teacher.
Translate Complex Techniques in Simple Ways
A Yoga Anatomy and Yoga Therapy Course should teach you how to explain something simply. Transferring important knowledge to your student is vital. Learning how to translate complex yoga techniques in simple and accessible ways create a special connection between you and your students.