A word becomes clearer.

Divides the body into right and left portions. Flexion and extension commonly occur in this plane.

The sagittal plane at the midline, dividing the body into equal right and left halves.

Divides the body into front and back portions. Abduction, adduction and lateral flexion commonly occur in this plane.

Divides the body into upper and lower portions. Rotation commonly occurs in this plane.

An imaginary line around which movement occurs.

Closer to the midline of the body.

Farther from the midline of the body.

Toward the back of the body.

Toward the front of the body.

Above or toward the head.

Below or away from the head.

Closer to the trunk or point of attachment; generally used for limbs.

Farther from the trunk or point of attachment; generally used for limbs.

Closer to the surface of the body.

Farther from the surface of the body.

On or affecting the same side of the body.

On or affecting opposite sides of the body.

Involving both sides of the body.

Involving one side of the body.

Referring to the palm side of the hand.

In this lesson: the back of the hand or the top of the foot.

Referring to the sole of the foot.

Lying face down.

Lying face up.

A movement that decreases the angle between two body parts. The shoulder example needs its own reference demonstration.

A movement that increases the angle between two body parts. At the shoulder, moving the arm backward is extension.

Extension beyond anatomical neutral. This is a movement description, not by itself a diagnosis.

Moving a body part away from the midline.

Moving a body part toward the midline.

A bone turns inward at a joint, toward the body midline.

A bone turns outward at a joint, away from the body midline.

A body region turns around an axis.

Side bending of the spine or neck.

A circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction and adduction.

Moving an arm away from the midline in the horizontal plane while the arm is held at shoulder height.

Moving an arm toward or across the midline in the horizontal plane while the arm is held at shoulder height.

Pointing the foot away from the shin at the ankle.

Bringing the top of the foot toward the shin at the ankle.

Turning the sole of the foot toward the midline.

Turning the sole of the foot away from the midline.

Bending the knee.

Straightening the knee.

The path of the knee relative to the hip, foot and toes during movement.

The top of the pelvis tips forward and the sitting bones move toward the back of the body.

The top of the pelvis tips backward and the sitting bones move toward the front of the body.

One side of the pelvis lifts.

One side of the pelvis lowers.

The shoulder blades move away from the spine and around the rib cage.

The shoulder blades move toward the spine.

The shoulder blades move upward toward the ears.

The shoulder blades move downward away from the ears.

The shoulder blade rotates so the shoulder socket faces more upward as the arm rises.

The shoulder blade rotates so the shoulder socket faces more downward as the arm lowers.

The arm moves forward and overhead relative to the trunk.

The arm moves behind the body.

Rotation of the forearm that turns the palm down with the elbow bent, or backward from anatomical position.

Rotation of the forearm that turns the palm up with the elbow bent, or forward from anatomical position.

Bending the palm toward the forearm.

Bringing the back of the hand toward the forearm.

Moving the chin toward the chest.

Tilting the head backward.

Turning the head to the right or left.

Bringing the ear toward the shoulder.

Moving the head forward relative to the trunk.

Moving the head backward relative to the trunk.

The muscle shortens while producing force.

The muscle lengthens while producing force to control movement.

The muscle produces tension without visible movement at the joint in this introductory model.

In this framing, the inward and downward-receiving side of the breath cycle, associated with taking in and with the movement of the inhalation.

The outward and downward-releasing side of the breath cycle, associated with letting go and with the movement of the exhalation.

Steadiness. The quality of stability in a posture, held together with its opposite rather than instead of it.

Ease. The quality of comfort and openness in a posture, held together with steadiness.

A lengthening of the spine produced by reducing the primary and secondary curves at the same time. It does not occur on its own; it takes conscious effort.

The curves present from birth, in the thoracic and sacral regions, which round in the same direction as the curled shape of early life.

The cervical and lumbar curves, which develop as a child lifts the head and comes upright against gravity.

Flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation and axial extension. Most postures combine more than one.

A change in tone and orientation of the breathing structures that stabilises the torso. Often translated as a binding or a lock.

The action associated with the pelvic floor and the base of the torso.

The action associated with the abdominal region and the respiratory diaphragm.

The action associated with the throat and the vocal diaphragm.

A state of spine and breath that combines axial extension with the bandhas. It can be approached from seated, standing, supine and arm-support positions.

The dome of muscle between the thoracic and abdominal cavities, the principal muscle of breathing.

The muscular floor of the pelvis, the lowest of the three diaphragms described in this framing.

The structures of the throat and larynx, described here as the uppermost of the three diaphragms.

Pelvic, respiratory and vocal. Their combined tone shapes how freely the torso can change shape when you breathe.

Breathing described as a change in the shape of the thoracic and abdominal cavities, rather than only as air moving in and out.

The parts of the body in contact with the ground, through which weight passes down and support returns upward.

The usual position an unusual shape begins from: standing, sitting, kneeling, supine, prone or arm support.