Do you know your piriformis from your psoas? If you do, you are probably really into yoga, because yoga introduces you to body parts you never knew you had. And once you know about them, you better believe you are going to stretch them out. Here are five obscure body parts that we talk a lot about in yoga class.
1. The Sit Bones
By D.renard, svg by MichaelFrey from Wikimedia Commons
You may hear them called sits bones or sitting bones, but chances are you never heard of them at all (much less the ischial tuberosity, their anatomical name) until your yoga teacher told you to sit on them.
2. The Sacrum
Courtesy ADAM
Did you know there is a triangular bone at the base of your spine, right above your tailbone? Well, that's the sacrum and it comes up a lot in poses where you are lying on your back. Ok, actually, it should usually stay down in poses where you are lying on your back.
3. The Psoas
By Beth ohara via Wikimedia Commons
4. The Piriformis
Gray's Anatomy, via Wikimedia Commons
5. The Intercostals
Gray's Anatomy, via Wikimedia Commons
Ever feel sore around your ribs after a lot of back bending or twisting? That's your intercostals talking. These muscles are also responsible for the expansion and contraction of your rib cage when you breath.
