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Functional Anatomy: Learning Alignment for Every Body

bySayujya YogaAvailable online, at studios in Mumbai, and residential centers in Goa & PokharaStarts from60,000 per student per courseView full gallery

Yoga is not a performance—it is a practice meant to fit your unique skeletal structure. We teach you to look beyond 'perfect' poses and understand the biomechanics behind safe, sustainable movement.

A collage showing how the same pose looks different on different bodies, illustrating the importance of a functional approach over a "picture perfect" aesthetic.

Demonstrating different hand grips in Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog) to show how to adapt poses for unique skeletal structures.

A short lecture explaining the difference between a functional approach ('how you feel') and an aesthetic approach ('how you look') in asana practice.

An anatomy class explaining the kinetic chain, starting with the feet as the foundation for stability in all standing asanas, just as roots are for a tree.

An asana alignment session where we use a model of the spine to demonstrate correct posture and muscle engagement, making the practice safe and effective.

Explaining the three planes of movement (sagittal, transverse, coronal) and why a balanced asana practice must incorporate movements from all three.

Busting a common myth about Sirsasana (Headstand). We explain the science of cerebral blood flow autoregulation to show that inversions don't dangerously increase blood flow to the brain.

Preparing students for arm-loading asanas like Chaturanga Dandasana by teaching proper muscle engagement and identifying red flag areas to avoid injury.

An alignment session in progress, where participants are introduced to the principles of individualized alignment using a skeletal model.

A session on the biomechanics of the knee joint, explaining how repeated incorrect movements (pathomechanics) can lead to injury and how to avoid them.

About Functional Anatomy: A Scientific Approach to Asana

Stop forcing your body into shapes that don't fit your bones. In our sessions, we move away from the 'one size fits all' dogma and use functional anatomy to help you understand your own unique hip orientation and joint range of motion. Instead of aiming for a mirror-perfect pose, we focus on identifying your specific target areas and red flags—ensuring you can practice and teach without risking injury.

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