Body and Breath - Test Yourself

These questions may be used for any purpose other than electronic transmission or publication in books or pamphlets so long as the source--bodyandbreath.com--is acknowledged. Their purpose is to provide teachers of body and movement therapies with a bank of questions that can be used in examinations or for self study.

Each month a new set of questions will be posted. The answers to the previous months questions can be found on The Answers page. ( View Archive )

Test yourself, March, 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.

91. Name the four main factors that underlie generally the execution of movement and posture.

92. Name three reasons why lying supine with a sandbag on the abdomen is helpful for strengthening and training the respiratory diaphragm?

93. Why is the rounded-back boat posture (boat with a flat bottom) easier and more sensible for beginning students than the flat-back boat posture (boat with a keel)?

94. Name three reasons why an asymmetrical standing posture such as the simple angle pose is safer and more useful for beginners and for those with sensitive backs than a symmetrical (straight-to-the-front) standing forward bend?

95. How does the bow posture differ for beginners in comparison to advanced students, and what are the special precautions that beginners should take (and that instructors should be watchful of) when doing this pose for the first time?

96. What are the three main anatomical features of healthy and mobile sacroiliac joints that account for sacroiliac nutation and counternutation?

97. In the simple terms, briefly explain the movements between the cranium and the atlas (C1), and between the atlas and the axis (C2). Why are these movements important in neck exercises?

98. Why is hyperventilation followed by holding the breath dangerous and inadvisable for novices who are preparing to swim the length of a swimming pool underwater?

99. Why are variations of the trapezius stretch (threading-the needle) valuable for including in the shoulderstand and plow series?

100. Why are hip and sacroiliac flexibility so important for mastering the traditional yogic meditative sitting postures (auspicious, accomplished, and lotus poses)?