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Yoga Terminology

As a way of developing continuity across different yoga, exercise and medical platforms, it may be helpful to have an awareness of Kinesiology and Anatomical terminology. Accordingly, the following lists represent a basic vocabulary relevant to yoga.

Abduction

Movement of a body part away from center



Adduction

Movement of a body part toward center



Agonist

The muscle directly engaged in contraction as distinguished from antagonist



Antagonist

Muscles that have to relax to allow the Agonist to contract



Circumduction

Moves a part so its distal end describes a circle and the rest of the part describes a cone



Depression

The state of drawing the shoulder blades downward



Dorsiflexion

Drawing the foot upward toward the ankle



Elevation

The state of pulling the shoulder blades upward



Extension

A bending motion of a joint that lengthens its angle



Fibrillation

Abnormal muscle contraction where Individual fibers contract asynchronously



Flexion

A bending motion of a joint that shortens its angle



Hyperextension

To over straighten or bending motion of a joint that stretches beyond anatomical position



Isometric Contraction (Strengthen)

Where length remains constant but tension increases



Isotonic Contraction (Strengthen)

Contraction where tone or tension remains constant but muscle shortens (as in weight lifting)



Lateral

Refers to a body part further away from center than another body part



Medial

Refers to a body part closer to center than another body part



Plantarflexion

Moving the toes away from the ankle



PNF Stretching

Isometric contraction of antagonist muscle, then a stretching of the Agonist muscle



Pronation

Movement of the hand palm down



Proprioception

The awareness of posture, movement, and changes in weight and resistance in relation to the body



Protraction

The state of broadening or moving the shoulder blades outward



Proximal

Location of a body part toward center away from end



Relaxation

Stimulates production of neurotransmitters such as endorphins (inhibits pain conduction) and norepinephrine (involved in mood regulation as well as pleasure or reward emotions)



Relaxation Response

The ability to create relaxation at will. (The opposite of a willful neuromuscular action or response)



Retraction

The state of drawing the shoulder blades toward center



ROM

Range of Movement



Stretch:

Elongates muscle tissue matrix



Supinate

Movement of the hand palm up-- Subtly opens chest during supine breath management and relaxation



Tonus

Partial contraction in relays — important for maintaining proper posture: Flaccidity=weak tonus Spasticity=Overactive tonus

Anatomy of Yoga - 7th Cervical Vertebrae

The largest protruding neck vertebrae usually irritated during a classical shoulder stand



Abdominals & Obliques

Abdominals flex spine and obliques rotate torso in twisting. Important muscles of respiration in breath management



Adductors: (&, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Longus, Adductor Magnus, Gracilis)

Adducts the thigh



Biceps Brachii, Brachialis, Brachioradialis, Pronator Teres

Principal flexors of the arm at the elbow and provides suppination of the forearm.



Coccyx

The lowermost portion of the tailbone



Connective Tissue

Muscles, through contraction, pump fluids and cause the skeleton to move; Ligaments support bone to bone; Tendons connect muscle to bone; Fascia is the fibrous membrane covering, supporting, and separating muscles and uniting skin with under lying tissue; Blood transports nourishment and oxygen, among other factors to the tissues and takes away waste matter and carbon dioxide.



Deltoids, Pectoralis Major, Latissimus Dorsi, Teres Major, Coracobrachialis

Principal movers of the shoulder joint providing Adduction, Abduction, Extension, Flexion, Medial and Lateral Rotation of the arm



Diaphragm

Primary muscles of respiration in breath management



Erector Spinae

Principal movers of back. Traditionally thought to be the most probable source of low back muscular spasms and pain



Fascia

Connective tissue located throughout the body, such as beneath the skin, in between and surrounding muscles, organs, glands, blood vessels and nerves



Fontanel

The spot where four skull bones meet; the place where the head should be placed during headstand



Gastrocnemius, Soleus, Tibialis Posterior, Flexor Digitorum Longus, Flexor Hallicis Longus, Popliteus, Plantaris

Plantarflexion



Gluteals: Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus; Tensor Fasciae Latae; Deep Six Lateral Hip Rotators; lliotibial Tract

Extends, abducts, and rotates the femur



Hamstrings: Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, Biceps Femoris

Flexors of the leg at the knee; Extends the leg at the hip



liacus, lliopsoas, Psoas

Principal flexors of hip joint and must be engaged during "back bending" poses to alleviate back pain



Ileum

The upper most portion of the hip bone



lntercostals

Muscles between ribs; are secondary muscles of respiration



lschial Tuberosities

Known as the sitting bones; movement is essential for proper forward bends. Where biceps femoris (primary hamstring) originates



Kyphosis

An exaggerated curvature of the upper back



Latissimus Dorsi

Adducts the arm



Lordosis

An exaggerated curvature of the lumbar spine



Malleolus; Lateral & Medial

The ankle bones



Mid—Thoracic Vertebrae

Thoracic vertebrate number 5



Navicular Bone

The rectangular bone along the top of the foot. When lifted, it draws up the arch. Essential in releasing knee pain during backbends



Occipital Protuberance

The "bump" on the back of the skull



Patella

The knee cap. Excessive pressure, as in kneeling or Sun Salutations should be avoided



Pectoralis Major

Adducts and flexes the upper arm



Pectoralis Minor

Pulls the shoulder down and forward



Quadriceps: Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus lntermedius, Vastus Medialis

Extends the thigh at the knee; flexes the thigh at the hip. Relates to lliacus, psoas and iliopsoas in releasing for backbends



Sacrum, coccyx

Located at the base of the spinal column, the sacrum forms the back wall of the pelvis; the coccyx is at the end of the sacrum



Serratus Anterior & Posterior

Assists in protracting the shoulder blades. Assists lift in dog pose and headstand



Spinous Processes

The "knobs" on the back of the vertebral column. Can be felt to move inward when spine elongates



Sternum

The center breastbone



Tibialis Anterior, Extensor Digitorum Longus, Extensor Hallicis Longus, Peroneus Tertius

Dorsiflexion of foot



Trapeziums, Rhomboids, Levator Scapulae, Serratus Anterior, Pectoralis Minor

Assists or are responsible for Retraction, Protraction, Elevation, Depression, and Upward Rotation of Shoulder blades



Triceps Brachii, Anconeus

Principal extensors of forearm



Vertebrae

7 cervical support skull and neck 12 thoracic support the thorax with 12 pairs of ribs 5 lumbar carry the largest proportional share of body weight



Xiphoid Process