Test yourself, January, 2002

Note: For each of the following questions (one for each chapter in Anatomy of Hatha Yoga), please answer in 100 or fewer words using complete sentences.

71. Briefly explain the meaning of "concentric shortening" of a muscle as contrasted to "eccentric lengthening," and give one example of each.

72. Explain how it happens that a spinal cord transection at C7 results in paralysis of all four extremities and yet spares the function of the diaphragm, which is located at the base of the chest.

73. Why is a simple double leglift lying flat on the floor a more advanced exercise than the fire exercise?

74. Picturing a frontal plane (side-to-side, up-and-down plane) through the body from head to foot in the mountain pose, what structures does a plumb line of gravity pass through with reference to the head, neck, torso, hip joints, knee joints, and ankles? And second, why is this important in hatha yoga?

75. What are the outside limits for back and for hip extension, and what are the limits for those who have excellent flexibility, but that is still within a normal range?

76. Why is sacroiliac nutation and counternutation important in forward bending?

77. Why are simple cross-legged sitting twists so important for beginning students in hatha yoga?

78. How does it happen that the same amount of blood (approximately 5-6 quarts) is pumped to the lungs per minute as is pumped to the body as a whole?

79. Why are the arch and bridge postures useful as a) substitutes, b) preparations, and c) complements for the full shoulderstand series?

80. What is the enteric nervous system, why was it neglected by researchers and ignored by teachers after its initial description a century ago, and why is it likely to become more important as it is more widely understood and appreciated?