Anatomy Terms and Applying to the Teaching of Asana or Our Physical Practice

Question 1

The abilities of a tissue to lengthen.

Answer 1

Stretch

Question 2

The ability of a tissue to shorten; this is unique to muscle tissue.

Answer 2

Contracility

Question 3

The ability of a tissue to return to its former shape after it has been stretched.

Answer 3

Elasticity

Question 4

The ability of a tissue to withstand a pulling force without damage.

Answer 4

Tensegrity

Question 5

The tissues ability to have its shape molded or altered and will hold shape; this is unique to connective tissue.

Answer 5

Plasticity

Question 6

The ability of a tissue to bear a compressive force or weight from above it without damage.

Answer 6

Weight Bearing

Question 7

The gradual shape change of tissue from a sustained and applied pressure.

Answer 7

Creep

(This can be positive in the case of masage therapies or long held yoga postures or negative in the cases of poor posture. Ex. Slouching at a desk all day leading to a tissue shape change in the upper back and chest.)

Question 8

The ability of a tissue to change from a more rigid gel state to a softer “sol” state allowing for more freedom in movement and for greater ability of circulation.

Answer 8

Thixotrophy

Question 9

A stretch is held in a challenging but comfortable position for a period of time, usually somewhere between 10 to 30 seconds. What type of stretching Technique are we using?

Answer 9

Static Stretching

Question 10

How long may static yoga stretches be held?

Answer 10

30 seconds up to 2 minutes or more

Question 11

Which is more beneficial static stretching or dynamic stretching?

Answer 11

We may consider static stretching much less beneficial than dynamic stretching for improving range of motion for functional movement, including sports and daily activities.

Question 12

A stretch that is performed by moving through a challenging but comfortable range of motion repeatedly, usually 10 to 12 times.

Answer 12

Dynamic Stretching

Question 13

Does dynamic stretching feel more challenging to a student?

Answer 13

It requires more coordination than static stretching (because of the movement involved). Yes, it sometimes feels more challenging to a student.

Question 14

What should dynamic stretching not be confused with?

Answer 14

Ballistic stretching which is bouncing stretching. Dynamic stretching is smooth, controlled, and deliberate, whereas bouncing stretching is uncontrolled, erratic, and jerky.

Question 15

A type of stretch where you use some sort of outside assistance such as body weight, a strap, leverage, gravity, another person, or a stretching device to help you achieve a stretch. You relax the muscle you are trying to stretch and rely on external force to hold you in place.

Answer 15

Passive stretching

Question 16

What should you look out for when someone is performing or you are assisting someone with a passive stretch?

Answer 16

Use caution as there is always the risk that the external force will be stronger than you are flexible, which could cause injury.

Question 17

You are stretching a muscle by conciously contracting the muscle in opposition to the one you are stretching without the use of your body weight, a strap, leverage, gravity, another person, or a stretching device. You relax the muscle you are to stretch and rely on the opposing muscle to initiate the stretch or you are working with an eccentric (lengthening) contraction where the muscle is trying to contract as it is lengthening.

Answer 17

Active stretching

Question 18

What are the 3 arches of the foot?

Answer 18

Medial longitudinal arch
Lateral longitudinal arch
Transverse arch

Question 19

The “instep of the foot” and curves well above the ground (unless there is a fallen arch or flat feet.) It is considered to be the keystone arch or primary arch.

Answer 19

Medial Longitudinal Arch

Question 20

Very low on the lateral side of foot and rises just enough to aid in weight distribution from the calcaneus (heel) to the head of the 5th metatarsal.

Answer 20

Lateral Longitudinal Arch

Question 21

The arch that runs obliquely from one side of the foot to the other.

Answer 21

Transverse Arch

Question 22

What are the three arches of the hand?

Answer 22

Proximal Transverse Arch
Distal Transverse Arch
Longitudinal Arch

Question 23

Formed by the two rows of the carpal bones.

Answer 23

Proximal transverse arch

Question 24

Formed by the ( metacarpophalangeal joint) MCP joint or knuckle joint.

Answer 24

Distal Transverse Arch

Question 25

Runs the length of the hand and formed by the shape of metacarpals and fingers; it increases with flexion of the hand.

Answer 25

Longitudinal Arch

Question 26

What is a muscle?

Answer 26

Skeletal muscle is attatched between two (or more) bones. When muscles contract they use the bones (or other (connective tissues) as levers to produce movement if the pulling force is strong enough.

Question 27

Bundles of muscle fibers surrounded by the epimysium.

Answer 27

Muscles

Question 28

Sometimes reffered to as articulations. They are the sites where two or more bones meet. Allow movement to occur to varying degrees. Some may have allowed motion at some point and as the body matured the spaces fuse and no longer allow the same degree of motion.

Answer 28

Joints