Yoga Anatomy 101

Tom Myers

Thomas Myers is the author of Anatomy Trains (used around the world in yoga teacher trainings) and the co-author of Fascial Release for Structural Balance.

He has also produced over 35 DVDs and numerous webinars on visual assessment, Fascial Release Technique, and the applications of fascial research.

Myers has practiced integrative manual therapy for 40 years and is a member of the International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI) and the Health Advisory Board for Equinox.

Based in Maine, Myers and his faculty provide continuing education in Anatomy Trains and holistic myofascial strategies for a variety of movement and manual therapy professionals worldwide, as well as professional certification in Structural Integration based on the Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians.

He studied directly with Drs. Ida Rolf, Moshe Feldenkrais, and Buckminster Fuller. He has also studied with movement teachers Judith Aston, Emilie Conrad, and in the martial arts. His Structural Integration program is influenced by cranial, visceral, and intrinsic movement studies with European schools of osteopathy. You can learn more at anatomytrains.com

Curriculum

Week 1: Introduction
An introduction to Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians and Tom Myers' unique perspective on holistic anatomy. What is a body? How does it communicate? How are you moving and what are you moving towards?

Week 2: Arches and Legs
Your feet "under stand" you, do you understand them?
Learn the relevant anatomy including bones, muscles, and myofascial meridians in the arches and legs, and how to "BodyRead" patterns in standing and in gait through Tom's proven methodology of postural assessment. Once you see the pattern, Tom will provide some basic strategies and samples to use movement as medicine to help bring arches and legs back into structural and functional balance.

Week 3: Fans of the Hip
The pelvis is your powerhouse for the spinal engine.
Tom's 40 years of experience shines in this exploration of the human pelvis, and you will enjoy Tom's ability to translate complex concepts into an easy to understand tour of the pelvic bowl and related anatomy, how it influences breath, gait, and posture. Assessment and strategy of common postural and movement patterns will be explored with easy to follow guidance from Tom.

Week 4: Abdomen, Chest, and Breath
Open your breath to new possibilities.
Tom will guide your through the basic anatomy and physiology of the abdomen, chest, ribcage and diaphragm and their essential interplay and influence on your ability to take "a deep breath". You will build on what you learned in BodyReading and Postural Assessment and dive deeper into finding out where the breath is, where it isn't, and strategies to inspire and deepen your understanding of respiration.

Week 5: Tensegrity Spine
The human spine: long and resilient, not short and stiff.
From the Ida, Pingala, and Shushumna to the atlas, axis, and all in between, Tom will guide you through the anatomy of the spine including joints, muscles, ligaments and fascia.

Week 6: Shoulders and Arms
Connect your eyes, your heart, and your hands.
Wearing shoulders as earrings is a common postural pattern, as is the head forward/shoulders forward electronic age of texting and typing. Fine tune your seeing skills (Ida Rolf often said that seeing is touch at a distance) to be able to identify how the shoulders "sit" on the ribcage and what restrictions may or may not be present in the arms. Once you see the pattern, it is hard to "unsee" it, and when you know better, you do better. Tom will share a sample of BodyReading shoulders and arms.

Week 7: Head, Neck, and Jaw
The jaw is the drawstring of your organism.
So many of us want to "get ahead" that our head leads the way, even in most of our yoga poses, when our core could be carrying us more efficiently. Learn to identify the anatomy and patterns in the head, neck and jaw that influence breath and movement, and how to get "unstuck" from restrictive postural and movement patterns that inhibit freedom and ease. The course will provide sample self myofascial release sequences to bring ease into common patterns held in the head, neck, and jaw.

Testimonials

"The greatest improvements in my teaching have come from the work I have done with Tom Myers. I see my clients and their patterns in a clearer way. Using the Anatomy Trains I sequence, assist and cue with confidence. Tom will challenge and encourage you to be your best. ”
Corinne Farrell E-RYT 500, LMT, SI Practitioner
Owner Balance Yoga and Wellness, Forty Fort PA

"'Finally!' I thought when reading Anatomy Trains for the first time in 2002. Finally, someone had been joining the anatomical dots that felt somatically clear: everything is connected with everything, yet there are myofascial lines that are more defined. ‘Finally’ became the beginning of an incredible learning journey that is still going. At that time, I was barely grasping the first layer of information, but what I did understand clearly, is that Tom’s work would change the way I practice, teach and think about the body and movement. And it did, in bigger ways than I could have imagined.

For me, Anatomy Trains is as much a holistic body map and practical guide for movement, as it is a thought-provoking concept that fosters anatomical curiosity – and the courage to be authentically you: physically, intellectually and soulfully.”
Karin Gurtner
Founder & Principal Educator art of motion training in movement
Developer Anatomy Trains in Motion Education

FAQs

Q: Is this certificate program approved for CECs/CEUs?
A: Yes, the Yoga Anatomy 101 Certificate is approved for up to 10 hours of continuing education credits with over 25 agencies. See the "course overview" tab for the specific agencies and credits.

Q: When does the course begin?
A: This course is available "on demand" so you can access the course in your account immediately after purchase.

Q: How much time should I set aside each week for this course?
A: It should take approximately 1-3 hours a week (depending on how diligent you are with the homework).

Q: What if I cannot keep up with the weekly coursework?
A: No problem! In all our courses, you work at your own pace, so feel free to experience this on a timeline that works best for you. The material is yours to keep so it will not expire.

Video Tips from Tom

Tip 1: The Benefits Of Knowing Yoga Anatomy

Tip 2: Redefining the Core

Tip 3: Why Foam Rolling is just a Fad

Tip 4: The Anatomy of Shoulder Stability in Inversions

Tip 5: A Simple Way to Downregulate