Introduction

Quickly assess your knowledge of the Musculoskeletal System, and identify gaps in your education. See below for assessments on these subjects:

1. Musculoskeletal System Intro
2. Connective Tissue & Fascia
3. Location & Movement Terminology
4. Muscle Movement & Contraction
5. Joint Movements & ROM
6. Muscle Pairs & Pose Examples

Purpose

Offer a series of free quizzes for yoga teachers to:

1. Provide an effective way to assess knowledge of each of the Teaching Knowledge Standards.
2. Make it easy to self-assess privately, on your own time.
3. Help teachers who identify educational gaps to bolster their knowledge with accessible and practical lessons.

More Self-Assessments

For more self-assessments, see the Standards & Self-Assessment Hub.

Musculoskeletal System Introduction

Teaching Standard

Be familiar with terminology and basic facts regarding the musculoskeletal system, focusing on the foundational structure and function of bones, joints and muscles (with more detail on each, and on connective tissue, in separate lessons).

Assessment

Vocabulary Mix & Match

Questions

1. Speak to the point that separation of the body into parts is for study purposes only.
2. What comprises the musculoskeletal system?
3. What does the musculoskeletal system do?
4. What is meant by the axial skeleton?
5. What is the appendicular skeleton?
6. Provide key facts about bones.
7. What is the function of bones?
8. What is a joint?
9. Name seven types of joints.
10. Define and describe muscles.
11. What are the three types of muscles in the body?
12. What are the functions of muscles?
13. Describe the relationship between muscles and metabolism.

Connective Tissue & Fascia

Teaching Standard

Understand the anatomy and physiology of connective tissue, the functions and significance of fascia, and techniques for applying this knowledge in teaching.

Assessment

Vocabulary Mix & Match

Questions

1. What is connective tissue?
2. What are some examples of types of connective tissue?
3. What are some functions of connective tissue?
4. What is a tendon?
5. What is a ligament?
6. What is a joint capsule?
7. Define fascia.
8. Explain fascia using descriptive phrases that help students to visualize and get a clearer sense for this pervasive tissue.
9. Fascia is full of sensory nerve endings that are in constant communication with the brain. What is this communication about?
10. From an Energy Medicine perspective, what is a function of fascia?
11. What is meant by the term “myofascia?” What is the significance of this term?
12. How does the “myofascial meridian theory” differ from the traditional anatomy model?

Location & Movement Terminology

Teaching Standard

Be familiar with terminology that describes anatomical movements and location.

Assessment

1. What is flexion and extension?
2. What is hyperextension?
3. What is meant by lateral and medial?
4. Describe adduction and abduction.
5. What is meant by internal and external rotation?
6. What is the meaning of anterior and posterior?
7. What is meant by distal and proximal?
8. What is meant in anatomy by superior and inferior?
9. For what purpose related to asana has Andrey Lappa described movement differently?
10. What are the three planes of motion called? What type of movement happens in each?

Muscle Movement & Contraction

Teaching Standard

Be aware of how muscles move and learn the related terminology.

Assessment

Vocabulary Mix & Match

Questions

1. What is the purpose of muscle?
2. How does movement happen?
3. What is muscle contraction?
4. How do origin and insertion points relate to muscle contraction?
5. What are three types of muscle contraction and an example for each?
6. What is meant by the agonist and antagonist relationship? What is an example?
7. What is reciprocal inhibition and how can you use this knowledge in practice?

Joint Movements & ROM

Teaching Standard

Be familiar with foundational terminology related to joint movements, factors that affect joint mobility, and the normal ranges of motion for various joints.

Assessment

1. Define Range of Motion (ROM)
2. Who uses ROM standards, and why?
3. How are joints affected by over-stretching?
4. What are the effects of diminished ROM?
5. Why is joint mobility important in asana practice?
6. Name and describe the movements of each of these joints: ankles, knees, hips, spine, wrists, elbows, shoulders, scapula and neck.
   1) Ankles
   2) Knees
   3) Hips
   4) Spine
   5) Wrists
   6) Elbows
   7) Shoulders
   8) Scapula
   9) Neck
7. What are the established normal ranges of motion for each joint movement?
   1) Ankles
   2) Knees
   3) Hips
   4) Spine
   5) Wrists
   6) Elbows
   7) Shoulders
   8) Scapula
   9) Neck

Muscle Pairs & Pose Examples

Teaching Standard

Be aware of key agonist/antagonist muscle pairs in major joint movements, and name poses that utilize them.

Assessment

Part 1 – For each movement type, select the key muscles involved.

Part 2 – For each movement, name the prime mover (agonist) and antagonist muscles and provide an example of a pose or activity that uses the movement.

1. Elbow flexion
2. Elbow extension
3. Shoulder flexion
4. Shoulder extension
5. Shoulder abduction
6. Shoulder adduction
7. Shoulder (internal) medial rotation
8. Shoulder (external) lateral rotation
9. Spinal flexion
10. Spinal extension
11. Hip flexion
12. Hip extension
13. Hip abduction
14. Hip adduction
15. Hip (internal) medial rotation
16. Hip (external) lateral rotation
17. Knee flexion
18. Knee extension
19. Ankle dorsiflexion
20. Ankle plantarflexion
21. Wrist flexion
22. Wrist extension

Part 3 – Answer these questions on teaching applications.

1. How can teaching awareness of these muscle pairings impact students?
2. Provide examples of how knowledge of the muscle relationships can inform sequencing and class planning.

Next Steps

1. To view more self-assessments, go to the Standards & Self-Assessment Hub.
2. To bolster your knowledge and be recognized as a YTC teacher, enroll in the Yoga Teacher Central Study Program (details below).
3. Members, view clear and concise lessons:

• • Musculoskeletal System Intro
  • Connective Tissue & Fascia
  • Location & Movement Terminology
  • Muscle Movement & Contraction
  • Joint Movements & ROM
  • Muscle Pairs & Pose Examples

In a Nutshell

• The enrollment fee is $25 and is open to Yoga Teacher Central members, past members and non-members.
• Members receive current membership benefits plus additional benefits listed below.
• Enrollment in the Study Program qualifies you for lifetime YTC Teacher status.

Benefits

Enrolling in the Study Program gives you:

1. A downloadable Knowledge Standards Lesson Guide to walk you through a structured study path toward certification.
2. Selection of 5 downloadable lessons of your choice (from a library of nearly 500).
3. Recognition as a YTC Teacher (for life; no expiration).
4. Professional marketing kit for highlighting your YTC Teacher status on social media and your website.
5. Excellent preparation for taking certification exams.

Members

• Your current membership gives you online access to not only thousands of pages of organized study and teaching knowledge, but also sequence breakdowns and teaching notes, theme plans, injury cheat-sheets, and so on.
• When you enroll in the Study Program, you get these additional benefits: a Knowledge Standards Lesson Guide, selection of 5 downloadable lessons of your choice, and a professional marketing kit for highlighting your YTC Teacher status on social media and your website.

See here for information about exams, badges and certification. Get links for each exam, and for a no-risk trial exam.

We think you’ll enjoy taking the exams. The questions are well-thought-out and the subject matter is quite engaging and significant for teachers. You’ll get an inspiring teaching after answering each question. At the end of the exam, you see a summary of wrong answers and the relevant teachings,  giving you a personal study guide targeted to your needs.

This is an hour well-spent!

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