Anatomy, Physiology, and Biomechanics for Yoga Practice

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Overview

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By the end of this course, you will (1) understand human anatomy and biomechanics in yoga practice and (2) apply that knowledge to improve alignment, safety, and performance. Dr. Constance Bradley, L.Ac., PhD, combines her expertise in yoga and biomedical sciences to deliver a course that connects structure and function in motion. Through video instruction you’ll explore how bones, joints, and muscles interact in asanas and learn to cue, modify, and assess movement intelligently. This course’s strength lies in translating complex anatomy into practical guidance for teaching and self-practice. Learners will develop the confidence to use anatomical reasoning to enhance posture safety, prevent injuries, and optimize movement efficiency for diverse populations.

Syllabus

Foundational Anatomy & Physiological Systems for Yoga Practice

Module 1 introduces the foundational language and principles needed to study the human body through a yoga lens. Dr. Constance Bradley begins by outlining the purpose of the course and clarifying who it is designed for—yoga teachers, practitioners, movement enthusiasts, and anyone wanting a deeper understanding of how the body functions in practice. The module explains standard anatomical position and the importance of directional terminology, helping learners create a consistent frame of reference for discussing structure and movement. It also introduces major biological systems, including the skeletal, muscular, connective tissue, nervous, respiratory, digestive, and endocrine systems. Throughout, Dr. Bradley maintains a clear connection to yoga, emphasising how these anatomical and physiological concepts translate directly into alignment, awareness, and safe teaching on the mat.

Tissues of the Body: Connective Tissue, Structure & Functional Organisation

Module 2 explores the hierarchical organisation of the human body, beginning with cells and moving through tissues, organs, and organ systems. Dr. Bradley explains the four major tissue types—epithelial, muscle, nervous, and connective tissue—highlighting how each contributes to movement and yoga practice. The module devotes extensive time to connective tissue, describing its structure, extracellular matrix, and the differences between loose, dense, and specialized connective tissues such as ligaments, cartilage, and bone. Learners are guided through the roles of collagen, elastin, and ground substance, and how these structures influence mobility, stability, and injury risk. By the end of this module, students gain a clearer understanding of how the body’s internal architecture supports both everyday movement and the demands of yoga practice.

Major Muscle Groups in Yoga: Actions, Engagement & Movement Applications

Module 3 provides an in-depth exploration of the major muscle groups involved in yoga asana. Dr. Bradley walks through more than a dozen key muscles or muscle groups, including the pectorals, serratus anterior, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, rotator cuff complex, abdominals, gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings, and more. For each, she outlines origin, insertion, major actions, and examples of where these muscles engage or lengthen in common yoga postures such as Chaturanga, Utkatasana, Bow Pose, and Plank. The module highlights the agonist–antagonist relationships that shape balanced practice and introduces how repetitive patterns or poor technique can create muscular imbalances. This section gives yoga teachers and practitioners the tools to understand movement mechanics in real time, improving cueing, alignment, strength development, and injury prevention.

Physiological Systems in Yoga Practice

Module 4 expands the course into the body’s major physiological systems and their direct relevance to yoga practice. Dr. Constance Bradley introduces the respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive systems, explaining how breathwork, circulation, abdominal compression, twisting, and parasympathetic activation support both health and the internal experience of asana. She describes how long, slow, intentional breathing influences the autonomic nervous system, how forward folds and twists stimulate digestive function, and how improved circulation enhances oxygen delivery throughout the body. Alongside this systems-focused teaching, the module also reviews important muscle groups engaged in yoga, highlighting where they lengthen, contract, or stabilise during common postures. By the end, learners gain a fuller understanding of how internal physiology and muscular engagement work together to create safe, effective, and mindful yoga movement.

Biomechanics, Spinal Movement & Postural Imbalances in Yoga

This module brings together the biomechanics of the spine with the functional understanding of postural imbalance patterns. Dr. Constance Bradley explains how the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions contribute differently to movement, highlighting why certain postures favour flexion, extension, rotation, or lateral flexion and how compensation patterns appear when mobility is limited. She discusses the difference between spatial movement and true spinal movement, giving learners a more accurate lens for analysing alignment. The module then moves into postural and muscular imbalances, including the distinctions between postural (short, tight) and phasic (long, weak) muscles and the predictable patterns seen in upper and lower crossed syndromes. Learners gain practical insight into how these imbalances affect yoga practice, how to recognise them in students, and how to use specific postures to restore balance, stability, and functional movement.

Course Exam

This final exam is designed to assess your understanding of the key concepts presented throughout the course. Please review all video lessons and written materials before beginning. A passing score of 70% or higher is required to successfully complete the course and earn your CE certificate. You may reference your notes during the exam. Once you pass, your certificate will be available for immediate download.