Mind Body Symphony

Anatomy, Physiology

& Biomechanics

A Complete Teaching Manual in Pranayama, Nadi Science, and Kumbhaka

for Yoga Therapy

A 15-hour clinical foundation course for certified yoga therapists. Deepen your anatomical knowledge, sharpen your assessment skills, and earn 15 CPD hours toward C-IAYT re-certification.

Course Fee

S$1,250
Includes all materials & assessment
IAYT Competencies
HP-1 & HP-2 Anatomy & Physiology YA-3 Yoga & Anatomy Integration CL-1 Clinical Assessment IP-2 Integrative Practice C-IAYT Re-Certification CPD

— About This Course

Where anatomical science meets therapeutic practice
Yoga therapy's integration into healthcare demands rigorous knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics that goes beyond what most foundational training provides.
This 15-hour APD course fills that gap. Led by Abha Bajaj (C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, YACEP, ACE Certified PT), it combines structured theory with hands-on laboratory practice in every module, culminating in a dual assessment of both theoretical and practical competency.
You will leave with sharper clinical eyes, a systematic approach to client assessment, and the confidence to justify every therapeutic decision with anatomical and physiological precision.
Course at a Glance
Course FeeS$1,250
Category
IAYT APD — Tier 1
40793452
Hours
15 contact hours
Format
2-day intensive or 5 × 3-hr sessions
Location
Singapore · In-person
Class Size
Maximum 20 participants
Prerequisites
C-IAYT or 800+ hr IAYT training
Assessment
Theory exam + Practical exam
Pass Mark
60% in each component
CPD Hours
15 hrs (C-IAYT re-cert.)
Facilitator
Abha Bajaj · C-IAYT, E-RYT 500

— What You Will Gain

Learning Outcomes
Three integrated domains of professional development — knowledge, clinical skill, and evidence-informed reasoning.
01
Knowledge Domain
Anatomical & Physiological Understanding
  • Identify key anatomical structures relevant to yoga therapy
  • Explain physiological responses to yoga postures and breathwork
  • Describe biomechanical principles of joint motion and load
  • Understand connective tissue, fascia, and tensegrity models
  • Relate anatomical variation to individualised therapeutic planning
02
Skills Domain
Clinical & Practical Competency
  • Conduct a functional movement and postural assessment
  • Apply biomechanical analysis to yoga posture alignment
  • Safely modify practices based on anatomical findings
  • Identify contraindications for specific populations
  • Complete SOAP documentation with anatomical rationale
03
Clinical Reasoning
Evidence-Informed Practice
  • Integrate anatomy into evidence-informed decisions
  • Develop biomechanically justified practice rationale
  • Apply a client-centred approach for individual anatomy
  • Evaluate risk-benefit of yoga for diverse presentations
  • Reflect on knowledge to refine professional practice

— Curriculum

Six Structured Modules
Theory and hands-on laboratory practice in every module. The final module is devoted to clinical integration and formal assessment.
Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology for Yoga Therapy 2.5 hours · Theory + Laboratory
Theory
  • Anatomical terminology: planes, axes, directional terms
  • Overview of body systems relevant to yoga therapy
  • Musculoskeletal anatomy: bones, joints, cartilage, ligaments
  • Muscle physiology: fibre types, motor units, proprioception
  • Connective tissue: fascia, tensegrity model, myofascial chains
  • Anatomical variation and its clinical implications
  • Homeostasis and yoga’s role in physiological regulation
Laboratory Practice
  • Palpation practicum: locating bony landmarks on a partner
  • Active movement exploration: identifying prime movers
  • Fascial tension and range of motion partner exercise
  • Postural observation: spinal curves, pelvic tilt, shoulder alignment
  • Movement exploration across the three anatomical planes
Theory
  • Vertebral regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral
  • Intervertebral disc anatomy, degeneration & clinical relevance
  • Core musculature: transversus abdominis, multifidus, pelvic floor, diaphragm
  • Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and spinal stabilisation
  • Spinal curves: hyperlordosis, hyperkyphosis, scoliosis
Laboratory Practice
  • Palpation of PSIS, iliac crest, lumbar spinous processes
  • Cat-Cow biomechanical analysis in pairs
  • Core activation: Plank and Bird-Dog analysis
  • Seated forward fold: disc limitation vs hamstring restriction
Theory
  • Shoulder girdle: glenohumeral mechanics, rotator cuff, scapular rhythm
  • Impingement vs instability: recognition and yoga implications
  • Elbow & wrist: carrying angle, wrist load in weight-bearing postures
  • Hypermobility: recognition and therapeutic modification
Laboratory Practice
  • Shoulder mobility assessment: flexion, abduction, rotation range
  • Downward-Facing Dog: scapular position and wrist alignment
  • Chaturanga: rotator cuff loading and elbow alignment
Theory
  • Hip joint anatomy: acetabular depth, femoral version, labrum, FAI
  • Knee anatomy: tibiofemoral mechanics, ACL, meniscus loading
  • Ankle and foot: dorsiflexion requirements, arches, pronation
  • Kinetic chain integration: Warrior series foot to spine
Laboratory Practice
  • Hip mobility screening: Thomas Test, FABER, rotation range
  • Warrior I & II kinetic chain analysis in pairs
  • Knee tracking in Utkatasana: valgus vs neutral alignment
  • Single-leg balance: proprioceptive observations
Theory
  • Respiratory physiology: diaphragm, lung volumes, breath regulation
  • Pranayama physiology: CO²/O² balance, hyperventilation effects
  • Autonomic nervous system and polyvagal theory
  • HPA axis: cortisol, stress physiology, yoga’s regulatory effects
  • Cardiovascular response to postures and inversions
Case Study Application
  • Small-group analysis of two client vignettes
  • Design a 6-week yoga therapy programme using physiological knowledge
  • Present findings in SOAP format with full physiological justification
Clinical Laboratory
  • Triad format: therapist / client / observer — full 5-component assessment
  • Subjective intake, postural observation, movement screen, functional analysis, planning
  • SOAP documentation and structured peer feedback
Formal Assessment
  • Part A: Theory written examination — 1 hour (60 marks)
  • Part B: Practical clinical examination — 1 hour (60 marks)
  • 60% pass mark required in each component independently

Hours Distribution

Theory & Didactic6 hrs
Laboratory Practice5 hrs
Case Study & Clinical2 hrs
Assessment2 hrs
Total15 hrs

— Assessment

Dual Assessment: Theory & Practice
Both components must be passed independently to receive your APD Certificate of Completion. A 60% pass mark applies to each. Re-assessment available within 30 days if needed.
Part A
Theory Assessment
60 minutes · 60 marks · Written examination
Section 1: Multiple Choice
20 marks
20 questions covering anatomical terminology, joint mechanics, muscle anatomy, and physiological systems.
Section 2: Short Answer
20 marks
4 questions (5 marks each). Applied knowledge — explain biomechanical and physiological mechanisms in clinical context.
Section 3: Case Analysis
20 marks
One client vignette. Analyse anatomically and physiologically. Justify therapeutic recommendations with clinical rationale.
Pass Mark36 / 60
Part B
Practical Assessment
60 minutes · 60 marks · Clinical examination
Task 1: Anatomical Identification
20 marks
Palpate and identify 10 anatomical structures. Explain the clinical relevance of 3 selected structures.
Task 2: Biomechanical Analysis
20 marks
Observe a yoga posture. Identify joint positions, active muscles, biomechanical risks, and therapeutic modifications.
Task 3: Client Assessment Simulation
20 marks
15-minute role-play assessment. Complete SOAP documentation. Assessed using the 4-criterion rubric below.
Pass Mark36 / 60
Practical Assessment Rubric (Task 3) — Participants are assessed across four criteria: Anatomical Knowledge, Assessment Technique, Clinical Reasoning, and SOAP Documentation. Each scored from 0–10 across four bands: Distinction, Credit, Pass, and Unsatisfactory.
Criterion (5 marks)Distinction (9–10)Credit (7–8)Pass (6)Unsatisfactory (0–5)
Anatomical KnowledgeExtensive and accurate; confidently applied throughoutGood knowledge; minor gaps; mostly accurateAdequate; some gaps; basic applicationSignificant gaps; inaccurate or absent
Assessment TechniqueSystematic and professional; all 5 components completedGood technique; mostly systematic; minor omissionsAdequate; some components incompleteUnsystematic; significant errors
Clinical ReasoningSophisticated; anatomy linked to coherent therapeutic planSound reasoning; good anatomical justificationBasic reasoning; some anatomical linkageAbsent, superficial, or incorrect
SOAP DocumentationPrecise and complete; all sections well-differentiatedGood; minor omissions in content or structureBasic structure evident; some sections vagueIncomplete; inadequate clinical detail

— Ideal Participants

Who This Course Is For

Designed for yoga therapy professionals ready to deepen their anatomical and clinical knowledge.

Certified Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT)

Seeking greater precision in client assessment and evidence-informed biomechanical reasoning for therapeutic practice.

Advanced Yoga Therapy Trainees

Enrolled in IAYT-accredited 800+ hour programmes who want to bridge anatomical theory to hands-on clinical practice.

Yoga Teachers Moving into Therapy

E-RYT 500 teachers pursuing yoga therapy credentialing who need a rigorous anatomy and biomechanics foundation.

Allied Health Professionals

Physiotherapists, nurses, or personal trainers integrating yoga therapy into their clinical practice or scope of work.

— Course Format

How We Learn Together

Didactic Instruction

Facilitator-led seminars using anatomical models, 3D anatomy software, and case vignettes. Spaced retrieval and concept-checking throughout.

Movement Laboratory

Hands-on palpation practicals, partner movement observation, and biomechanical posture analysis in every module.

Case-Based Learning

Small-group analysis of diverse client cases, facilitated using a clinical reasoning framework with SOAP note presentations.

Option A

2-Day Intensive
A concentrated immersive format over two consecutive days. Day 1 covers Modules 1–3; Day 2 covers Modules 4–6 and assessment. Ideal for full immersion.

Option B

5 × 3-Hour Sessions
Delivered across five sessions (evenings or weekend half-days). Allows integration of learning between sessions. Reflective practice recommended throughout.

— Your Lead Facilitator

Abha Bajaj
-IAYT · IAYT No. 44753711
E-RYT 500 · YACEP · ACE PT

Abha Bajaj

Senior Yoga Therapist · Mind Body Symphony, Singapore

Abha Bajaj is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) and founder of Mind Body Symphony — Yoga & Meditation in Singapore, with over 18 years of teaching and clinical experience.

She holds an E-RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance, is a YACEP continuing education provider, and an ACE Certified Personal Trainer — bringing a uniquely comprehensive lens to anatomy, biomechanics, and functional movement in yoga therapy contexts.

Abha is the co-author of a peer-reviewed systematic review and meta-analysis published in Osteoporosis International (Springer, 2025), and has trained hundreds of students and therapists across Singapore and internationally.
C-IAYT · No. 44753711 E-RYT 500 YACEP ACE Certified PT PubMed Published 18+ Years Experience

— Enrolment

Reserve Your Place
S$1,250
Course Fee (per participant)
15 contact hours · Singapore · In-person

What’s Included

Spaces are limited to 20 participants
This ensures quality laboratory practice and individual attention during assessment. Early enquiry is encouraged.
Contact Abha Directly

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