Guest guest Posted October 20, 2004 Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 wonderful explanation..... I really enjoyed it!!! Thank you so much pia ImpliedPresence <hmmmmmmm wrote: Technically, when it comes to the biceps being used in ashtanga/yoga in general, they're not used as much as the triceps. Eg., in the vinyasas (esp. chaturanga), the primary muscle being used is the triceps, because the primary functions of the triceps is to push or to release a pushing position (ie., lowering to the floor). In this situation, the triceps are the agonist muscle, while the biceps are the antagonist muscle. The biceps are used when you hold on to your legs or feet and pull yourself forward/down, or when you're pulling a leg toward you (as in utthita hasta pandangusthasana). The primary functions of the biceps are to lift something upward (as when you bend your elbow), or to pull something toward you. The reason why I say that yoga in general doesn't demand as much from the biceps as compared to the triceps is because there was an research article a couple of years ago in which several different yogis were tested for their strength in comparison to people who lifted weights. The yogis were from different traditions (iyengar, ashtanga, anusara, some others if I remember correctly). While the yogis all showed significant strength in their muscles and bones, the one part of their upper body that was not as developed as that of the weightlifters was their biceps. Not surprising to me, considering the amount of time many weightlifters spend on developing their biceps, being the visual muscle that it is. It has been a while since I read this study/article, so I'm really going on what I remember. Perhaps someone else out there read it and remembers more... or has more technical information to share. Here's a link to another, similar article, in which John Schumacher went to get tested physiologically and passed the tests easily. Also in the article is a synopsis of a study on college students whose fitness was tested before and after a series of yoga classes: http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/739_1.cfm All of this is not to say that the biceps are not as important in yoga as the triceps (or other muscles, for that matter). In fact, strong biceps are necessary to balance out one's upper body strength, and to help in keep the shoulders in the right position while doing arm balances, etc. Seems to me that it all comes back to balancing strength and flexibility (and less concrete things, like energy) in all of the muscles of the body... and mind... and spirit. > Message: 6 > Wed, 13 Oct 2004 11:57:37 -0700 (PDT) > Derek Evans <drkevans > Re: Yoga vs. wight training > Who could forget wbout chaturanga? It's one of the > best asanas! > --- dean jj <jonahjameson2003 wrote: > > > do not forget chaturga,,,great for the > > arms!!!!!!!!!!!!! > > > > jana <jana wrote: > > > > > 1. Is ashtanga yoga as adequate a strength workout > > as wight training? > > it is and you get more than just that > > > > > 2. what asanas strengthen the biceps? > > > > > the gazillion vinyasas between the poses, > > headstands, handstands, any > > pose where you have to balance on your hands. > > > > jana > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Sponsor > > > > > > > > Links > > > > > > > > > > > > ashtanga yoga > > > > Your use of is subject to the > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Post your free ad now! Canada Personals > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ______________________ > ______________________ > > Message: 7 > Thu, 14 Oct 2004 08:59:25 -0700 (PDT) > yogione <yogi0101010 > Secondary Series Question > > > > If I do all the standing poses then move to Backbends immediately is that OK in Ashtanga ? Then finish my practice with primary series forward bends and twists ? That is what they seem to do in a lot of the POwer YOga classes. > > > > > vote. - Register online to vote today! > > ______________________ > ______________________ > > Message: 8 > Wed, 13 Oct 2004 20:09:56 -0000 > "drkevans" <drkevans > Wonderful group > > > > I'd just like to say that this is a wonderful group. Most people tell > me yoga is only good for flexibility when I know better. Yoga is a > mind-body workout and it's great to be around other prople who get that. > > ______________________ > ______________________ > > > > ------ > Links > > > > > ------ > > > > > ashtanga yoga Iyengar Yoga Teacher Maria Pia Menghi 06 87 74 66 68 Todo lo que quieres saber de Estados Unidos, América Latina y el resto del Mundo. Visíta Noticias. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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