Updated September 19, 2014.
Do you know your piriformis from your psoas? If you do, you are probably really into yoga, because yoga introduces you to body parts you never knew you had. And once you know about them, you better believe you are going to stretch them out.
You may hear them called sits bones or sitting bones, but chances are you never heard of them at all (much less the ischial tuberosity, their anatomical name) until your yoga teacher told you to sit on them.More »
Did you know there is a triangular bone at the base of your spine, right above your tailbone? Well, that's the sacrum and it comes up a lot in poses where you are lying on your back. Ok, actually, it should usually stay down in poses where you are lying on your back.More »
The psoas major (and yes, there is also a psoas minor) may be yoga's most mysterious muscle. Located deep in the core, this muscle is tremendously important while being very hard to identify. Strengthening and lengthening the psoas is key for anyone suffering from back pain due to sitting too much, so check out these poses for the psoas if you are a desk jockey.More »
Ever feel sore around your ribs after a lot of back bending or twisting? That's your intercostals talking. These muscles are also responsible for the expansion and contraction of your rib cage when you breath.More »
Do you know your piriformis from your psoas? If you do, you are probably really into yoga, because yoga introduces you to body parts you never knew you had. And once you know about them, you better believe you are going to stretch them out.
1. The Sit Bones
You may hear them called sits bones or sitting bones, but chances are you never heard of them at all (much less the ischial tuberosity, their anatomical name) until your yoga teacher told you to sit on them.More »
2. The Sacrum
Did you know there is a triangular bone at the base of your spine, right above your tailbone? Well, that's the sacrum and it comes up a lot in poses where you are lying on your back. Ok, actually, it should usually stay down in poses where you are lying on your back.More »
3. The Psoas
The psoas major (and yes, there is also a psoas minor) may be yoga's most mysterious muscle. Located deep in the core, this muscle is tremendously important while being very hard to identify. Strengthening and lengthening the psoas is key for anyone suffering from back pain due to sitting too much, so check out these poses for the psoas if you are a desk jockey.More »
4. The Piriformis
Running right behind the psoas (figuratively, and somewhat literally) for the title of least famous muscle is the piriformis. Stretching this little muscle in your butt can have a big impact if you suffer from sciatica.More »
5. The Intercostals
Ever feel sore around your ribs after a lot of back bending or twisting? That's your intercostals talking. These muscles are also responsible for the expansion and contraction of your rib cage when you breath.More »