One area that I am particularly weak in is the body muscles used performing the asanas, and I have always wanted to further my knowledge in this area. I put together a general guide on the muscles used in the types of asanas.
Forward Bending
- Psoas Major and Minor
- Hip Flexor Muscles
- Glutes
- Quardriceps
- Hamstrings
- Abdominals particularly Rectus Abdominals (to bend the lumbar spine forward)
- Obliques
- Intercostal muscles (Bend the thoracic spine forwards)
- Neck Flexors (Bend the neck forwards)
Back Bending Muscle
- Gluteus Maximus muscle
- Hip extensors
- Hamstrings
- Quadriceps
- Rectus Abdominus
- Neck flexors
Side Bending Muscle
- Obliques
- Intercostals muscles
- Quadratus femoris
- Psoas (Sometimes)
- Gluteus Medius and Minimus
- Adductors
Spine Twisting Muscle
- Abs and intercostal are active (for active twists)
- Obliques and intercostals (for spinal twisting of thoracic spine)
Through the past years of practicing yoga, I do the asanas based on what I feel. I am able to internalize what is “keeping the hips square”, “engaging the core”, “engaging the quadriceps”, cues that we often hear in a yoga class, but I did not understand what it means anatomically. I did not know what the muscles were actually doing.
As now that I’m learning this more in-depth, I start to find out why which muscle or joint is tight, what practices I need to strengthen or relax the muscles. I am more aware what is happening in my physical body, and what my body needs. I recently found out what is the reason I am not able to bend forward more in Butterfly Pose (I have been stuck at the same level of flexibility during forward bend for the past few years), and I realise it is because of my Sacralilect Joint, and because that is a tendon, its takes time to become more flexible. On a anatomical level, this has taken “listening to my body” to another level.
Carol Wong
200hrs YTTC March 2018