// Concept of Tensegrity : Why it’s important as a yoga teacher to understand it //

Have you ever thought of your body the same way you do as a structure, say a house, or a building? One of the best ways to understand how we move is through the concept of tensegrity.

Tensegrity simply means tensional integrity. It describes a structure where, if stress is applied in one area, the force is distributed through the rest of the system or the structure. Instead of one part collapsing under pressure, the whole structure works together to adapt, support, and balance.

Think of a tepee for comparison. If you remove the central pole of a tepee, the whole structure would collapse. Thankfully, our bodies, don’t work that way. We’re designed as tensile structures where muscles, fascia, and connective tissues help to distribute load, so no single area carries the load alone.

What this means for movement

When we move, we want to honour this whole-body principle. For example, in a backbend:

• If you simply push the hips forward, the lower spine (especially the lumbosacral junction) will likely take the brunt of the movement.

• Instead, aim to lengthen and move through the entire spine, the load is shared more evenly, the shape feels more open, and the backbend becomes safer and more beneficial.

Why this matters for teachers and students:

As yoga teachers, keeping tensegrity in mind helps us guide movement that is:

• Balanced – distributing force throughout the body.

• Safe – reducing the risk of local compression, pain and/or injury.

Tensegrity is a beautiful reminder that the body thrives when it works as a whole. Every part matters, and when we move with that awareness, practice becomes not just safer, but far more beneficial.