| Recently, there was a discussion related to the | | | | Add to this fact, that a new student may have a |
| importance of anatomy in a Yoga teacher training | | | | pre-existing knee injury. In such a case, a Yoga |
| course. Some teachers are taking anatomy courses | | | | teacher would want to help a student avoid making a |
| for the sake of continuing education, but they don't | | | | bad situation worse. Students are supposed to feel |
| know why. When considering teaching Hatha Yoga, | | | | better after the class - than they did when walking into |
| we should design our classes to be as safe as | | | | the class. |
| possible for each student. | | | | During an anatomy for Yoga class, one learns that the |
| This is the main purpose for pursuing knowledge in | | | | knee is a hinge joint. It is not made to take weight, or |
| relation to Hatha Yoga and anatomy. Granted, Hatha | | | | pressure, from the side. For that matter, the knee is |
| Yoga is much more than a physical exercise class; but | | | | really not designed to take much pressure from any |
| teachers should be aware of contraindications, faulty | | | | direction. It is also not designed to rotate in circles. |
| alignment, and unsafe practices that have been going | | | | This is the type of knowledge, which is discussed |
| on for centuries. | | | | within Yoga anatomy courses. The purpose is to |
| One example would be Tree Pose. How often have | | | | make our Hatha Yoga classes safe for our students. It |
| you seen a picture of a group of Yoga students, with | | | | should be noted that those, who become proficient in |
| one foot placed against the inside knee of the | | | | anatomical jargon, share their knowledge, with their |
| balancing leg? All you have to do is visit a few | | | | students, in an easy-to-understand manner. The |
| different Yoga web sites, and you will see a similar | | | | reason is that, dedicated students will practice, |
| photograph. | | | | independently, and should know how to avoid injuries. |
| Placing pressure against the side of the knee is unwise | | | | Yoga anatomy not only applies to asana, but also |
| and invites injury. If pressure is applied with the foot | | | | applies to pranayama and bandha techniques. It goes |
| that is against the inside knee, of the balancing leg, this | | | | without saying that bandha, or pranayama, practiced |
| can push your knee out of alignment while your knee | | | | unsafely can cause harm to a Yoga practitioner. |
| is trying to bear the weight of your entire body. | | | | |