When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 6 modules in this course
By the end of this course, you will (1) understand human anatomy and biomechanics in yoga practice and (2) apply that knowledge to improve alignment, safety, and performance. Dr. Constance Bradley, L.Ac., PhD, combines her expertise in yoga and biomedical sciences to deliver a course that connects structure and function in motion.
Through video instruction you’ll explore how bones, joints, and muscles interact in asanas and learn to cue, modify, and assess movement intelligently. This course’s strength lies in translating complex anatomy into practical guidance for teaching and self-practice. Learners will develop the confidence to use anatomical reasoning to enhance posture safety, prevent injuries, and optimize movement efficiency for diverse populations.
Module 1 introduces the foundational language and principles needed to study the human body through a yoga lens. Dr. Constance Bradley begins by outlining the purpose of the course and clarifying who it is designed for—yoga teachers, practitioners, movement enthusiasts, and anyone wanting a deeper understanding of how the body functions in practice. The module explains standard anatomical position and the importance of directional terminology, helping learners create a consistent frame of reference for discussing structure and movement. It also introduces major biological systems, including the skeletal, muscular, connective tissue, nervous, respiratory, digestive, and endocrine systems. Throughout, Dr. Bradley maintains a clear connection to yoga, emphasising how these anatomical and physiological concepts translate directly into alignment, awareness, and safe teaching on the mat.
Tissues of the Body: Connective Tissue, Structure & Functional Organisation
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
Module 2 explores the hierarchical organisation of the human body, beginning with cells and moving through tissues, organs, and organ systems. Dr. Bradley explains the four major tissue types—epithelial, muscle, nervous, and connective tissue—highlighting how each contributes to movement and yoga practice. The module devotes extensive time to connective tissue, describing its structure, extracellular matrix, and the differences between loose, dense, and specialized connective tissues such as ligaments, cartilage, and bone. Learners are guided through the roles of collagen, elastin, and ground substance, and how these structures influence mobility, stability, and injury risk. By the end of this module, students gain a clearer understanding of how the body’s internal architecture supports both everyday movement and the demands of yoga practice.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 20 minutes
Introduction to Body Organisation
•2 minutes
Connective Tissue Overview•8 minutes
Ligament and Tendon Injuries•3 minutes
Fascia and Specialised Connective Tissue•8 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Student Notes•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Module Reflection Quiz•15 minutes
Major Muscle Groups in Yoga: Actions, Engagement & Movement Applications
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
Module 3 provides an in-depth exploration of the major muscle groups involved in yoga asana. Dr. Bradley walks through more than a dozen key muscles or muscle groups, including the pectorals, serratus anterior, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, rotator cuff complex, abdominals, gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings, and more. For each, she outlines origin, insertion, major actions, and examples of where these muscles engage or lengthen in common yoga postures such as Chaturanga, Utkatasana, Bow Pose, and Plank. The module highlights the agonist–antagonist relationships that shape balanced practice and introduces how repetitive patterns or poor technique can create muscular imbalances. This section gives yoga teachers and practitioners the tools to understand movement mechanics in real time, improving cueing, alignment, strength development, and injury prevention.
What's included
3 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 38 minutes
The Muscular System Overview•10 minutes
Major Muscles in Yoga Asana - Upper Body
•17 minutes
Major Muscles in Yoga Asana - Lower Body•11 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Student Notes•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Module Reflection Quiz•15 minutes
Physiological Systems in Yoga Practice
Module 4•1 hour to complete
Module details
Module 4 expands the course into the body’s major physiological systems and their direct relevance to yoga practice. Dr. Constance Bradley introduces the respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive systems, explaining how breathwork, circulation, abdominal compression, twisting, and parasympathetic activation support both health and the internal experience of asana. She describes how long, slow, intentional breathing influences the autonomic nervous system, how forward folds and twists stimulate digestive function, and how improved circulation enhances oxygen delivery throughout the body. Alongside this systems-focused teaching, the module also reviews important muscle groups engaged in yoga, highlighting where they lengthen, contract, or stabilise during common postures. By the end, learners gain a fuller understanding of how internal physiology and muscular engagement work together to create safe, effective, and mindful yoga movement.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 46 minutes
Respiratory System•9 minutes
The Digestive System
•9 minutes
The Cardiovascular System
•9 minutes
Endocrine System
•7 minutes
The Nervous System
•10 minutes
Pranayama Breathing Exercises
•2 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Student Notes•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module Reflection Quiz•30 minutes
Biomechanics, Spinal Movement & Postural Imbalances in Yoga
Module 5•2 hours to complete
Module details
This module brings together the biomechanics of the spine with the functional understanding of postural imbalance patterns. Dr. Constance Bradley explains how the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions contribute differently to movement, highlighting why certain postures favour flexion, extension, rotation, or lateral flexion and how compensation patterns appear when mobility is limited. She discusses the difference between spatial movement and true spinal movement, giving learners a more accurate lens for analysing alignment. The module then moves into postural and muscular imbalances, including the distinctions between postural (short, tight) and phasic (long, weak) muscles and the predictable patterns seen in upper and lower crossed syndromes. Learners gain practical insight into how these imbalances affect yoga practice, how to recognise them in students, and how to use specific postures to restore balance, stability, and functional movement.
What's included
11 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
11 videos•Total 74 minutes
Introduction to Biomechanics
•1 minute
Axial Rotation Range of Motion of the Spine
•1 minute
Lateral Flexion Range of Motion of the Spine
•2 minutes
Spatial Perspective
•8 minutes
Range of Motion of the Spine
•2 minutes
Intrinsic Equilibrium
•6 minutes
Importance of Movement
•15 minutes
Action of Major Muscles in Yoga
•18 minutes
Understanding Muscle Inbalances
•8 minutes
Postural and Dynamic Assessments
•8 minutes
Self Awareness
•5 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Student Notes•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Module Reflection Quiz•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Summary•10 minutes
Course Exam
Module 6•2 hours to complete
Module details
This final exam is designed to assess your understanding of the key concepts presented throughout the course. Please review all video lessons and written materials before beginning. A passing score of 70% or higher is required to successfully complete the course and earn your CE certificate. You may reference your notes during the exam. Once you pass, your certificate will be available for immediate download.
What's included
1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 assignment•Total 90 minutes
Course Exam•90 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Niel Asher Education is a world leader in evidence-based online education for massage therapists, manual therapists, and allied health professionals. Our mission is to empower practitioners worldwide with accessible, high-quality training that bridges traditional bodywork, modern rehabilitation, and integrative health science.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.