Anatomy & Physiology – Michael Joel Hall

Back to Basics: Understanding the Anatomy of Your Back Muscles for a Stronger Ashtanga Practice

Do you ever wonder why your back feels sore after a vigorous Ashtanga practice? Or maybe you’re struggling to lift up into your Chaturanga without collapsing in the middle? It’s time to get back to basics and understand the anatomy of your back muscles! In this lesson, we’ll explore the different categories of back muscles and how to strengthen and stretch them through Ashtanga poses. But don’t worry, we won’t be boring you with complicated medical terms. We’ll keep it fun and easy to understand, just like your yoga practice….

Get to Know Your Spine: A Guide for Ashtanga Yogis

Welcome to the world of Ashtanga Yoga, where we align our breath and movement to create a sense of calm and balance in our lives. One of the most important parts of our physical practice is the spine, the central axis of our body that supports our movements and protects our nervous system. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the anatomy of the spine, its different regions, and how we can enhance our practice by understanding our body’s structure. Section 1: The Anatomy of the Spine Let’s…

Don’t Overstretch Yourself: A Guide to Safe and Effective Stretching in Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a physical practice that requires a lot of stretching. It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of flexibility, but it’s important to remember that overstretching can lead to injury. In this guide, we’ll go over the anatomy and physiology of stretching and provide tips for safe and effective stretching in your Ashtanga practice. The Dangers of Overstretching Stretching can be beneficial for increasing range of motion and improving circulation, but overstretching can lead to muscle weakness, joint instability, and even permanent tissue damage. Signs of…

Understanding the Movements of the Spine in Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and challenging practice that requires a deep understanding of the movements of the spine. In this blog post, we will explore the six directions of spinal movement and how they inform our practice. We will also discuss the importance of spinal alignment and how to apply this knowledge to different categories of asana. Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and challenging practice that requires a deep understanding of the movements of the spine. In this blog post, we will explore the six directions of spinal movement…

The Importance of a Healthy Spine in Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and physically challenging practice that requires strength, flexibility, and balance. But did you know that all of these elements depend on the health of your spine? In this article, we will explore the functions of the spine and the attributes of a healthy spine, and how they relate to your Ashtanga yoga practice. The Functions of the Spine The spine is a complex structure that serves many important functions in the body. It houses the spinal cord, which provides communication between the brain and the…

Flexibility and Stretching: The Hidden Secrets of Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and challenging practice that demands strength, flexibility and endurance. As Ashtanga practitioners, we are often obsessed with achieving the perfect posture, but sometimes we forget the importance of flexibility and the role it plays in our practice. In this article, we will delve into the complex world of anatomy and physiology, and explore the hidden secrets of flexibility and stretching in Ashtanga yoga. We will cover what limits flexibility, the benefits of stretching, and the different types of stretching techniques that can be used to…