NatarajasanaKing of the Dancers Posenot-ah-raj-AHS-anna nata = dancer raja = kingGastrocnemius Deltoid Teres minor Serratus anterior Spinal extensors Rectus abdominis Psoas minor Rectus femoris Vastus medialis Tensor fascia lata Rectus femoris Vastus lateralis Vastus medialis Rectus abdominis Obliques Hamstrings Vastus lateralis Gluteus maximus Pectoralis majorSubscapularis Serratus anterior Intercostals Psoas minor Psoas majorClassification and LevelAdvanced backbending standing balanceJoint ActionsSpinal extension; scapula upward rotation, abduction, and elevation; arm flexion; elbow flexion; and forearm supination. Standing leg: hip flexion, knee extension, and ankle dorsiflexion. Lifted leg: hip extension, knee flexion, and ankle plantarflexion.WorkingArms: The serratus anterior works to wrap the scapula around the rib cage; the infraspinatus and teres minor externally rotate the glenohumeral joint; and the deltoids lift the arms into position. The supraspinatus and subscapularis are also active to help hold the head of the humerus in its socket. Spine: The intrinsic extensor muscles of the spinentertransversarii, interspinalis, rotatores, multifidi, spinalis, semispinalis, splenius capitis and cervicis,52
