|
PLANES OF THE BODY
To understand and describe movements it is helpful to work with the anatomical planes of the body. Anatomical planes are imaginary lines that run through the body and divide into superior and inferior, anterior or posterior or right and left.
The transverse plane is perpendicular to the central axis of the body. It splits the body into superior and inferior sections. The frontal plane extends from side to side and divides the body into anterior and posterior sections. The sagittal place runs from anterior to posterior and splits the body into right and left.
JOINT MOVEMENT |
DESCRIPTION |
YOGA ASANA |
FLEXION |
Flexion moves in the sagittal plane. Flexion causes the joint angle to become smaller. Hip flexion reduces the angle of the hip joint. |
Forward bend, … |
EXTENSION |
Extension moves in the sagittal plane. Extension causes the joint angle to become greater. Hip extension increases the angle of the hip joint. |
Bow pose, … |
ABDUCTION |
Abduction moves in the frontal plane, side to side. Abduction is a position or movement that moves a body part away from the midline of the body. |
Warrior pose, … |
ADDUCTION |
Adduction moves in the frontal plane, side to side. Adduction is a position or motion that moves a segment of the body closer to the midline of the body. |
Butterfly,… |
ROTATION |
Rotation occurs in the transverse plane. Rotation of the spine happens in twists. |
Half Spinal Twist,… |
EXTERNAL (LATERAL) ROTATION |
External (lateral) rotation occurs in the transverse plane away from the midline of the body. In standing, the femur at the hip joint moves in external rotation when it rolls outward. |
Tree Pose,… |
INTERNAL (MEDIAL) ROTATION |
Internal (medial) rotation occurs in the transverse plane towards the midline of the body. Standing, the femur at the hip joint moves in internal rotation when rolling inward. |
Hero Pose,… |
RETRACTION |
Retraction occurs at the scapulae and brings the scapulae toward the spine. |
Backbends,… |
PROTRACTION |
Protraction occurs at the scapulae and brings the scapulae away from the spine. |
Child pose,… |
ELEVATION |
Elevation occurs at the scapulae, bringing them up towards the ears. |
Generally elevation of the scapulae should not take place in asana practice. |
DEPRESSION |
Depression occurs at the scapulae, moving them down the back of the body. |
In most yoga asanas the shoulder blades are depressed, e.g. Cobra Pose,… |
LATERAL FLEXION |
Lateral flexion occurs in the frontal plane, tilting the torse to one side. |
Triangle Pose,… |
Questions
Q1. How many bones does the human body have?
Q2. How many vertebrae does an adult have and how many does a child have?
Q3. What are the different parts of the spine?
Q4. Describe the major kinds of movement we can do with the different parts of our body.
Q5. What are the main functions of the skeletal system?
Teacher training program, ananda, school, yoga holidays, become Yoga teacher, Hatha Certification, Center india, yoga teacher training, yoga ashram, hatha, Karma yoga, Retreat India, yoga instructor, Training ashram, Yoga teacher courses, YTTC India, Yoga certification, Teacher training india, alliance, Teaching certification