Yoga Meets Movement Science

Are Some Muscles Magical?

March 07, 2023 Jenni Rawlings & Travis Pollen, PhD Episode 37
Are Some Muscles Magical?
Yoga Meets Movement Science
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Yoga Meets Movement Science
Are Some Muscles Magical?
Mar 07, 2023 Episode 37
Jenni Rawlings & Travis Pollen, PhD

Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen discuss the phenomenon of “magic muscles”: the tendency in the yoga, fitness, and rehab worlds to treat some muscles as more important or more special than other muscles.

Points of discussion include:

  • What is a magic muscle?
  • Muscle-based approaches in strength training & bodybuilding
  • Teaching yoga with a  “teach movement, not muscles” approach
  • What research suggests about these specific magic muscles:
    • Quadratus Lumborum (QL)
    • Vastus Medialis Obliquus (VMO)
    • Transverse Abdominis (TvA)
    • Psoas
    • Glutes
    • Piriformis
  • What do all magic muscles have in common?
  • Is the practice of labelling certain muscles as “stabilizers” and others as “movers” somewhat outdated?
  • The trend in evidence-based rehab to use non-specific vs. specific diagnoses for persistent pain conditions
  • What are “corrective exercises”, and are they evidence-based?
  • How well does yoga, specifically, help with low back pain?
  • …And much more!

Enjoy this engaging and eye-opening discussion for yoga, movement, and fitness geeks!

Become a supporter of the Yoga Meets Movement Science podcast! Starting at $3/month.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Jenni’s email newsletter

Strength for Yoga Remote Group Training – ongoing, interactive monthly strength program for yogis designed by Jenni & Travis

Take Jenni’s course: “When to Be Anatomically Specific in Yoga” for free!

Podcast episodes referenced in this episode (in order of appearance on the show):

Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast
Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Redefining Strength Fitness Hacks Podcast
Feel, move and look your best at any and every age

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the Show.


**Become a supporter of the Yoga Meets Movement Science podcast – starting at $3/month!

Yoga Meets Movement Science
Become a supporter of the show!
Starting at $3/month
Support
Show Notes Chapter Markers

Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen discuss the phenomenon of “magic muscles”: the tendency in the yoga, fitness, and rehab worlds to treat some muscles as more important or more special than other muscles.

Points of discussion include:

  • What is a magic muscle?
  • Muscle-based approaches in strength training & bodybuilding
  • Teaching yoga with a  “teach movement, not muscles” approach
  • What research suggests about these specific magic muscles:
    • Quadratus Lumborum (QL)
    • Vastus Medialis Obliquus (VMO)
    • Transverse Abdominis (TvA)
    • Psoas
    • Glutes
    • Piriformis
  • What do all magic muscles have in common?
  • Is the practice of labelling certain muscles as “stabilizers” and others as “movers” somewhat outdated?
  • The trend in evidence-based rehab to use non-specific vs. specific diagnoses for persistent pain conditions
  • What are “corrective exercises”, and are they evidence-based?
  • How well does yoga, specifically, help with low back pain?
  • …And much more!

Enjoy this engaging and eye-opening discussion for yoga, movement, and fitness geeks!

Become a supporter of the Yoga Meets Movement Science podcast! Starting at $3/month.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Jenni’s email newsletter

Strength for Yoga Remote Group Training – ongoing, interactive monthly strength program for yogis designed by Jenni & Travis

Take Jenni’s course: “When to Be Anatomically Specific in Yoga” for free!

Podcast episodes referenced in this episode (in order of appearance on the show):

Fit, Healthy & Happy Podcast
Welcome to the Fit, Healthy and Happy Podcast hosted by Josh and Kyle from Colossus...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Redefining Strength Fitness Hacks Podcast
Feel, move and look your best at any and every age

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the Show.


**Become a supporter of the Yoga Meets Movement Science podcast – starting at $3/month!