Essential Anatomy and Physiology for Yoga Teaching

Enrol here

Human biology explained

This comprehensive and interesting course provides a solid foundation in understanding how the human body works. Unlock fresh insights to enrich your teaching and inspire your students.

Accessible content

Study anatomy and physiology modules online at your own pace. Get a good foundation in A&P and step into yoga teacher training with confidence.

Course curriculum

1. 1.1 Start here
  FREE PREVIEW
2. 1.2 Course content and requirements
  FREE PREVIEW
3. 1.3 What to expect
  FREE PREVIEW
4. 1.4 Getting the most out of your course
  FREE PREVIEW
5. 1.5 Orientation
6. 1.6 Initial review (questionnaire)
7. 1.7 Ready to go
1. 2.1 Wholistic anatomy and physiology
  FREE PREVIEW
2. 2.2 Organisation of the human body
3. 2.3 Staying alive
4. 2.4 An overview of the body systems
5. 2.5 Anatomical terms
6. 2.6 Anatomical diversity and pathology
7. 2.7 A note about course quizzes
8. 2.8 Test your learning
1. 3.1 The digestive system
2. 3.2 Food
3. 3.3 Enzymes
4. 3.4 How digestion works
  FREE PREVIEW
5. 3.5 Interconnections to other body systems
6. 3.6 Gut health and yoga
7. 3.7 Test your learning
1. 4.1 The cardiovascular system
2. 4.2 The blood vessels
3. 4.3 Blood
4. 4.4 How the heart works
5. 4.5 Interconnections to other body systems
6. 4.6 Circulatory health and yoga
7. 4.7 Test your learning
8. 4.8 Progress review
1. 5.1 The respiratory system
2. 5.2 Cellular respiration
3. 5.3 The breathing mechanism
4. 5.4 Gaseous exchange
5. 5.5 Interconnections to other body systems
6. 5.6 Healthy breathing and yoga
7. 5.7 Test your learning
1. 6.1 The nervous system
2. 6.2 Nerve cells
3. 6.3 The senses and proprioception
4. 6.4 The brain
5. 6.5 How the nervous system is organised
6. 6.6 The vagus nerve
7. 6.7 Interconnections to other body systems
8. 6.8 A healthy nervous system and yoga
9. 6.9 Test your learning
1. 7.1 The fascial system
2. 7.2 The purpose of fascia
3. 7.3 What fascia is made of
4. 7.4 Organisation of fascia
5. 7.5 Properties of fascia
6. 7.6 Biotensegrity
7. 7.8 Fascial health and yoga
8. 7.9 Interconnections to other body systems
1. 8.1 The skeletal system
2. 8.2 Bones
3. 8.3 Key bone names and locations
4. 8.4 Joints
5. 8.5 The spine - structure and function
6. 8.6 The spine - joints and movement
7. 8.7 Anatomical terms for joint movement
8. 8.8 Interconnections to other body systems
9. 8.9 Bone health and yoga
10. 8.10 Test your learning
1. 9.1 The muscular system
2. 9.2 Types of muscle
3. 9.3 Muscle fibres and myofascia
4. 9.4 Muscle contraction
5. 9.5 How muscles operate
6. 9.6 Interconnections to other body systems
7. 9.7 Muscle health and yoga
8. 9.8 Test your learning
1. 10.1 Skeletal muscles and muscle groups
2. 10.2 Muscle group roles
3. 10.3 Muscle coordination
4. 10.4 The effect of gravity on muscle use
5. 10.5 Fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibres
6. 10.6 Healthy movement and yoga
7. 10.7 Test your learning
8. 10.8 Review of your progress
1. 11.1 The immune system
2. 11.2 Fighting infection
3. 11.3 Types of immunity
4. 11.4 Cells of the immune system
5. 11.5 Organs and tissues of the immune system
6. 11.6 Immune health and yoga
7. 11.7 Interconnections with other body systems
8. 11.8 Test your learning
1. 12.1 The endocrine system
2. 12.2 Hormones
3. 12.3 Glands and organs
4. 12.4 How the endocrine system works
5. 12.5 Interconnections to other body systems
6. 12.6 Endocrine health and yoga
7. 12.7 Test your learning
1. 13.1 The excretory system
2. 13.2 How kidneys work
3. 13.3 Other aspects of excretion
4. 13.4 Links to other body systems
5. 13.5 Urinary health and yoga
6. 13.6 Test your learning
1. 14.1 The lymphatic system
2. 14.2 Lymphatic vessels
3. 14.3 Lymph nodes
4. 14.4 Fluid balance
5. 14.5 Lymphatic health and yoga
6. 14.6 Interconnections with other body systems
7. 14.7 Test your learning
1. 15.1 Reproduction
2. 15.2 Female reproductive health and yoga
3. 15.3 Pregnancy and yoga
4. 15.4 Male reproductive health and yoga
5. 15.5 Interconnections with other body systems
6. 15.6 Test your learning
1. 16.1 The purpose of the skin
2. 16.2 Structure of skin
3. 16.3 The sense of touch
4. 16.4 Skin health and yoga
5. 16.5 Interconnections with other body systems
6. 16.6 Test your learning
1. 17.1 Final review
2. 17.2 Congratulations!
3. BONUS: Additional study resources

About this course

£225.00
123 lessons

Why this course?

Gain access to this wholistic A&P course tailored specifically to yoga teachers and aspiring yoga teachers. The course is highly illustrated and written with yoga teachers in mind. The curriculum is clearly structured and presents key concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. Each module emphasises the relevance of anatomy and physiology in yoga practice and overall health. Gain a valuable future reference source with lifetime access upon enrolment, and the further study resources in the final module.

Avoid confusion in A&P with explanations in plain English and lots of pictures
Repeat lessons or ask questions in the discussion boards if you get stuck
Gain A&P knowledge that is relevant to yoga teaching and practice
Use your certificate as proof of CPD or to support teacher training applications
Access anatomy books, advanced study or yoga teacher training with confidence

What learners say

Feedback from the community

“I love the different methods of learning, audio, visual worksheets, etc. I've done a lot of e-learning through various different work places and must say I'm finding it really smooth and easy to navigate. ”

Jane

Learning your own way

Structured course

Work step by step through all the major body systems, at a pace to suit you.
Work from home

Completely online, access the course at your chosen time from wherever you are.
Learn at your own pace

Progress reviews through the course help you plan your own study schedule.

A range of ways to learn

Highly illustrated with a wide variety of images throughout to aid understanding of the text. Worksheets and quizzes in each module provide repetition and recall to help you remember. Videos and audios provide additional explanations. Ask questions and interact in the discussion boards.

Movement of lungs and diaphragm during breathing shown with arrows

Discover your potential

Enrol now to embark on a transformative journey that will elevate your approach to teaching yoga

Enrol here

Pricing options

Single payment or payment plan. Yoga teacher training students - apply your discount coupon at checkout.

£225.00

Regular price

Get started now
3 x £75.00

Payment plan

Get started now

FAQ

Do I need to have any prior knowledge of biology before taking this course?

No! This is an entry level course and no prior knowledge is assumed. Everything is explained, and you can ask questions in the discussion if you get stuck.
I've studied A&P/biology in the past. How is this course different?

This course will invite you to look at the human body in a more wholistic way than traditional anatomy teaching. It will also relate what you learn specifically to yoga practice. So as well as revision of topics you are familiar with, you will add a further layer of understanding by looking at it from a different perspective. There are also some optional additional links for further reading, should you wish to expand your study in each section.
Is this course a good preparation for yoga teacher training?

Yes. In fact this course a pre-requisite for some yoga teacher training courses. It prepares you with a foundation in basic anatomy. This will inform the applied anatomy you will learn in your teacher training, as you explore yoga postures in depth.
Can I take this course more than once?

Yes! Once subscribed you can come back and repeat the course as many times as you like. It also provides a useful reference for revision. You have access for the lifetime of the course, and if we add anything in the future, we'll let you know.

Course tutor

Andrea Newman

Senior tutor

Andrea is an experienced yoga teacher, mentor, and writer. She has been teaching yoga since 1994 and training and mentoring yoga teachers with the British Wheel of Yoga since 2003. As a Certified Advanced Rolfer, with a degree in biochemistry and a background in publishing, Andrea continues to study anatomy, spirituality and the body-mind connection. She brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her teachings and is committed to helping yoga teachers and students enhance their understanding of themselves and to grow in their personal practice.