Muscle And Joint Involvement In Selected Standing Yoga Asanas: A Review And Applied Aspects

Abstract

Background: Yoga has been practiced for many years and shown to have holistic health benefits. This scoping review investigates how some standing yoga poses entail joint and muscle motions.

Objectives: To recognize and chart the nerve supply, joint motions, and muscle activities used in the practice of Parivrtta Parshvakonasana, Trikonasana, Garudasana and joints.

Charting Methods: For each asana, information about the muscles, joints, movements, and nerve supply was retrieved. Data on range of motion (ROM) was included in accordance with AMA and AAOS guidelines.

Results: Particular joint movements across the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle, wrist, and neck were involved for each of the three asanas, along with matching muscle actions and innervations. Significant neural controls and ROM values were noted.

Conclusions: Muscular strength and joint mobility are greatly enhanced by the asanas under examination. Results might provide credence to the use of yoga in clinical and therapeutic application.