Yoga Anatomy & Assists Workshop

This workshop is suitable for both yoga students of all levels and yoga teachers alike

Part 1 Anatomy

Theory:

  • Skeletal variation
  • Function/aesthetics
  • Compression and tension
  • Analysis of a yoga pose

Practice:

Skeletal variation tests and practical consequences for yang yoga asanas and assists – such as lotus, shoulder stand, pigeon, down dog, warrior, etc.

We analyse the following asanas in detail:

  • Lotus position        - external rotation of the hip joint
  • Reclining hero       - internal rotation of the hip joint
  • Shoulder stand      - neck, shoulder, collarbone and shoulder blade
  • Headstand             - collarbone and shoulder blade

We discuss the following issues:

  • What restrictions does my individual bone structure impose on me?
  • How different is it from other people’s bone structure?
  • Will I or my students ever manage to get into the lotus position or achieve a “perfect” pigeon, etc?
  • Where are the areas of compression and tension within my individual bone structure?
  • What is the physical function of a yoga pose?
““Dear Markus,
As a body worker, I totally grasped your presentations regarding the make up of our body and it’s structure. I was also so impressed with the anatomy pictures of the hip and femur bones. I found it unbelievable how different the individual bones can be and so helpful to know when working with clients!

For me I became aware of the individual bone structure of a person, in particular the difference between predetermined skeletal structure and flexible/changeable muscle/fascia tissue.

Thank you for the beautiful weekend :-)”

”
— Nina O. body worker - Hamburg

Part 2 Assists

Theory:  

What is the function of assists?

Analysis of an assist according to:

  • Function of the asana
  • Function of the assist
  • Natural posture of the body
  • Compression or tension
  • Proportion of the bones
  • Orientation of the joints
  • Skeletal variation and tension lines within the body
Yin Therapy - Yoga Anatomy & Assists Workshop - shoulder stand Analysis

Practice:

Bone structure – muscles – fascia
Compression and tension tests for various asanas, with the aim of learning to “read” the individual person.

FOCUS: Hip and shoulder joints, forward and backbends

This analysis principle for assists, combined with an anatomical understanding of the student’s individual bone structure and the tension lines within their body, helps us to learn to read people when they are holding yoga poses.  We can then give them logical assists and / or offer them alternatives tailored to the requirements of their individual, unique physique and bone structure.

Once a yoga teacher has developed full anatomical understanding, applying it during a yoga session is child’s play, as an assist is always a logical progression, based on the unique body of each individual student. 
 

schedule overview