Our online course Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga is a must do for anyone who is a serious practitioner or teacher of yoga or any of the similar related exercise forms. Although this course has the word yoga in its title, it is a very practical way for anyone to learn about how to achieve wellness through posture, movement and breathing. The information can be useful for anyone doing the simplest walking exercise to those practicing rigorous sports, martial arts or dance. The course is explained simply and practically by the teachers who have both years of experience teaching yoga, practicing as physiotherapists and lecturing at Universities. Each of the week's Topics is subdivided into several sections that each have learning objectives that once achieved can be practically applied to your yoga, exercise or therapy. Below are listed the main teaching topics and some of the learning objectives.

Teaching Topics

Click on each week to show its topics.

• Week 1: Introduction to the applied anatomy and physiology of yoga

  • Topic 1.1: The purpose of yoga

  • Topic 1.2: Introduction to functional musculoskeletal anatomy

    Includes how to simplify 250 joints of the body to 9 joint complexes and how to simplify 650 muscles to 20 muscle group pairs.

  • Topic 1.3: Introduction to the functional anatomy and physiology of the nervous system

    Includes how to use your nerves to develop length, strength and relaxation in your muscles without stress, strain or pain.

  • Topic 1.4: Stretching, strengthening and relaxation and the relationship between them

    Includes how to create 18 bandhas throughout the body that can stabilise your joints and move energy and information. through your body

• Week 2: Applied functional anatomy of the upper limb (A)

  • Topic 2.1: Applied functional anatomy of the shoulder joint complex (Amsa Bandha)

    Includes how to use your shoulder during yoga and exercise to develop core strength as well as nourish your trunk, neck, heart and lungs.

• Week 3: Applied functional anatomy of the upper limb (B)

  • Topic 3.1: Applied functional anatomy of the elbow joint complex (Kurpara Bandha)

    Includes how to control and strengthen your your elbows during yoga and exercise and use them to stabilise and strengthen your wrists and shoulders.

  • Topic 3.2: Applied functional anatomy of the wrist joint complex (Mani Bandha)

    Includes how to strengthen your arms during yoga and exercise and use them to manipulate your spine.

• Week 4: Applied functional anatomy of the lower limb (A)

  • Topic 4.1: Applied functional anatomy of the hip joint complex (Kati Bandha)

    Includes how to use your hips during yoga and exercise to develop core strength as well as nourish your trunk, digestive organs and reproductive system.

• Week 5: Applied functional anatomy of the lower limb (B)

  • Topic 5.1: Applied functional anatomy of the knee joint complex (Janu Bandha)

    Includes how to keep your knees safe during yoga and exercise and how to recover after knee injuries.

• Week 6: Applied functional anatomy of the lower limb (C)

  • Topic 6.1: Applied functional anatomy of the ankle joint complex (Kulpha Bandha)

    Includes how to strengthen your ankles and use your legs during yoga and exercise to mobilise the spine and treat your internal organs.

• Week 7: Applied functional anatomy of the spine and the torso (waist, chest, neck and head)

  • Topic 7.1: Applied functional anatomy of the waist joint complex (Mula Bandha)

    Includes how to achieve core stabilisation without causing excessive stress and inhibiting your internal organs.

  • Topic 7.2: Applied functional anatomy of the chest joint complex (Uddiyana Bandha)

    Includes how to use your chest and upper back to mobilise your spine, stabilise your trunk and control your heart and lungs.

  • Topic 7.3: Applied functional anatomy of the neck joint complex (Jalandhara Bandha)

    Includes how to maintain a pain-free and stable neck while allowing a free conduit for the flow of energy and information between your brain and the rest of your body

• Week 8: The effects of exercise and breathing on the cardiopulmonary system

  • Topic 8.1: Applied functional anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary system

  • Topic 8.2: The effects of breath-control exercises of Indian hatha yoga and Chinese Taoist yoga on the main body systems (Pranayama)

    Includes how to use breath-control to control the movement of oxygenated blood from your heart and lungs through the rest of your body effectively.

• Week 9: The effects of exercise and breathing on the nervous system

  • Topic 9.1: Applied functional anatomy and physiology of the nervous system

  • Topic 9.2: Effects of Indian hatha yoga and Chinese Taoist yoga on the nervous system, the acupuncture meridian system and the cakra-nadi-marma system

    Includes how to use an understanding of your nervous system to tension (stretch) nerves and acupuncture meridians; how to direct the movement of energy and information through your body; and what you need to do to achieve blissful and nourishing states of internal silence and meditation.

• Week 10: The effects of exercise and breathing on the body systems (A)

  • Topic 10.1: Applied functional anatomy and physiology of the digestive system

  • Topic 10.2: Effects of Indian hatha yoga and Chinese Taoist yoga on the digestive system

    Includes yogic nutrition and how you can learn to comfortably eat less to live longer and healthier.

  • Topic 10.3: Applied functional anatomy and physiology of the immune system

  • Topic 10.4: Effects of Indian hatha yoga and Chinese Taoist yoga on the immune system

    Includes how to use exercise, diet and breathing to nourish your immune system to quickly and effectively recover from injury or illness.

  • Topic 10.5: Applied functional anatomy and physiology of the renal system

  • Topic 10.6: Effects of Indian hatha yoga and Chinese Taoist yoga on the renal system

    Includes how to use exercise and breathing to nourish your kidneys and harness your inner energy.

  • Topic 10.7: Applied functional anatomy and physiology of the male reproductive system

  • Topic 10.8: Effects of Indian hatha yoga and Chinese Taoist yoga on the male reproductive system

    Includes how to use yoga and breath-control to nourish the male reproductive system, enhancing fertility, hormone health and sexual function.

• Week 11: The effects of exercise and breathing on the body systems (B)

  • Topic 11.1: Applied functional anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system

  • Topic 11.2: Effects of Indian hatha yoga and Chinese Taoist yoga on the female reproductive system

    Includes how to use exercise, diet and breathing to nourish the female reproductive system; how to approach yoga during menstruation; how to practice yoga and exercise during and after pregnancy; and how to present safe yoga to the developing child.

  • Topic 11.3: Applied functional anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system

  • Topic 11.4: Effects of Indian hatha yoga and Chinese Taoist yoga on the endocrine system and the cakra-nadi-marma system

    Includes how to use exercise, diet and breathing to nourish your endocrine system; the use of mental control in the emerging field of pyscho-neuro-immunology; and the relationship between the endocrine glands, nerve plexuses and yogic chakras.

• Week 12: Comparative eastern/western applied anatomy and physiology of exercise and breathing

  • Topic 12.1: The effects of special yoga asanas (static postures), vinyasas (dynamic exercises), pranayamas (breath-control exercises), kriyas (cleansing processes) and mudras (energy control techniques) of Indian hatha yoga and Chinese Taoist yoga on the body

    Includes explanations and instructions on yogas most closely guarded secrets, the incredible abilities they can offer and the reasons why they have been kept as secret traditions for so long.

  • Topic 12.2: Comparison of the systems of Indian and Chinese medical science with western medical science

    Includes how to benefit from a western scientific approach to traditional yoga, and how to benefit from an eastern approach to Western exercise.

• Week 13: Exam

  • Topic 13.1: Course revision

  • Topic 13.2: End of course multiple choice exam

Course Assessment and Certification

The most important thing you can achieve from this course is information. However, if you wish to receive a certificate of successful completion then you need to pass 2 online multiple choice exams (in weeks 7 and 13) and submit an assignment. You do not have to do any of these assessment criteria, if you wish to just do the course and learn what you do on the way, but we have repeatedly found that it is studying for the exams and attempting the assignment which provides maximum benefit.

Enrolment Costs

The enrolment fee is $587.00 (Australian Dollars, including GST in Australia) for the entire thirteen week course. Participating students also receive the accompanying Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga book in PDF format when they enrol.

• Simon’s Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga course is an invaluable course for anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the body. It is practical and interactive, highly informative and a lot of fun. Simon is clear in his teaching, passionate, holds your attention and presents the content in an easy to understand manner. The Science of Yoga is presented in a way which can be applied by everyone very practically both in their own practise and in the teaching of others. Simon focuses on working intuitively and encourages us to be mindful of our individual limitations but at the same time urges us to do our best. It has made a huge difference in my own personal practise giving me a greater increase in strength, flexibility and a deeper awareness of my body both internally and externally. You walk away with the feeling that you have received a unique gift. I have completed the course 3 times and I look forward to doing it again! So many gems of wisdom from a truly inspiring man.

  Steven Harris
  Yoga Teacher
  Attended course in 2003, 2005 and 2007

• I would recommend Simon’s course on the Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga to anyone who is serious about their yoga practice. If you want to really understand what is happening in your body from an anatomical and physiological perspective when you are practicing yoga, then this course is vital.

  I’ve been going to Simon’s classes for over 5 years now and that is not even that long compared to many in the class! What keeps us coming back is the the way we can see our yoga constantly evolving as Simon continues to develop his understanding of the human body and the physiological effects of yoga practice on health and wellbeing. With anatomical explanations and differing emphasis, postures that I have been doing for years suddenly seem completely new. The classes bring the mind-fullness back into yoga practice- rather than a series of postures. Simon’s style allows you to also feel the effects that yoga can have on energy levels, concentration and mental state. Every practice feels different and the effects are different day to day depending on the emphasis of the class.

  The information I have learnt during Simon’s classes have allowed me to be better in tune with the needs of my body before each practice so i am able to choose for myself what sort of emphasis and energy I should bring to my own practice and have also left me with a better ability to create practice for myself at home that is effective and safe.

  Melanie Gallagher BSc(Physiotherapy)
  Physiotherapist

• After a recent car accident I had a persistent lingering injury that I couldn’t seem to get anywhere with, even thought I seemed to be able to work through the rest of my injuries and pretty much back to my old self. This one spot of tension at the back of my body would not let go. I then came to the YogaSynergy Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga course where I met Simon and after a minute, literally a minute, with Simon talking me through how to position my body and breathe, I felt and heard a massive release in my body and the point of spasm had completely released!! With amazement and much thanks to Simon now I’m back on track with my yoga practice and feeling stronger than ever.

  Alarice van den Breg
  Attended course in 2009

• When I practice with Simon, I know everything is going to be okay, everything in my world… he shows me my beauty and authentic self.

  Chelsea McEvoy
  Attended course in 2009

• Through an advanced understanding of the traditional teachings of Indian Yoga ‘mahagurus’ combined with an innovative use of western physiology, YogaSynergy creates a practice of breathtaking awareness. It is the Yoga that unifies cultural paradigms as well as body, mind and spirit. Simon has with grace and generosity of spirit, backed by the weight of encyclopaedic knowledge redefined my sense of yoga.

  Dr Steve Morgan MBBS Bsc

• Simply Brilliant. As a victim of false understanding and having multiple joint surgeries, I only wish I had discovered these proper anatomical and physiological aspects sooner! However the timing, Simon’s practical teaching has significantly changed the course of my knee health in merely one week of these applications, I have discovered ways to strengthen the fundamental components of my leg which I had been trying to accomplish in 5 years.

  Terry Hodges
  Attended course in 2009

• Every conversation with Simon was a revelation. I have never learnt so much from anyone in my whole life-regardless of the subject. Simon has a true gift both in the poetry of movement and the ability to communicate and explain information in a cohesive and inclusive way. His wonderful energy is uplifting and energising. His passion for yoga and for people comes across in his concern for ensuring that yoga is practiced in the safest way for the individual and for enabling them to get the most out of themselves. He is a light in the world and if anyone is able to learn from him or even be in his presence in anyway I highly recommend it. I am very grateful to have met him.

  Rebecca Silver
  Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Teacher

• Great course. Inspirational. Simon loves to share his great knowledge. The best Yoga I ever had.

  Maria Velasco

• Simon’s energy as a yoga teacher and physiotherapist is exciting and energetic. He makes the classes fun and intriguing. With his love for the subject, it makes it easy to listen and learn. I am an olympic gymnast, trained dancer and trapeze artist with Circue du Soleil, the work I have done with Simon and his YogaSynergy process was spectacular. I’ve been practicing yoga for over a decade and I always felt that my natural movements, engaging my body in a physiological and anatomically correct way were in opposition to modern yoga, but thankfully because of YogaSynergy and Simon’s commitment to my learning I can finally breathe easy in the knowledge my practice will continue to evolve and blossom.

  Stella
  Attended course in 2009

• I have done yoga with many teachers for 22 years. I learned more from Simon Borg Olivier about how to do Yoga asana safely in one week than I have learned from others over many years.

  Roger Zesson
  Attended course in 2009

• Simon is amazing. I will forever see Yoga through different eyes thanks to Simon’s ability to explain the physical and physiological mechanisms of Yoga. It has been a gift to share this week with Simon.

  Aspen Uzelman
  Attended course in 2009

• Simon is a gift to the world with his knowledge insight and practical application of a yoga practice. YogaSynergy has given me an experience of yoga I have never had before and will change the way I practice from now on.

  Rachelle
  Yoga Instructor and Massage Therapist

• YogaSynergy is the most beautiful yoga style I have ever seen and practiced. It is challenging and powerful and at the same time gracious and fluid. I felt very energised after each class. Simon is a passionate teacher conveying a lot of his knowledge and experience in the best manner.

  Petra

• Simon has trained me to re-examine my postures and teaching in a healthier, more effective way. I could not have enjoyed his class or him more!

  Heather Richard
  Yoga Teacher