Yoga Glossary · Muscles
Quadriceps
The front-thigh muscles that straighten the knee — the burn in Chair and the Warriors.
The quadriceps are four muscles — rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedius — merging into the tendon that crosses the kneecap to the shin. All four extend the knee; the rectus femoris also crosses the hip, so it helps flex the hip too. They are among the strongest muscles in the body.
Standing yoga is quadriceps work: Chair, the Warriors and lunges all hold the knee in flexion against gravity, which the quads pay for — that thigh burn is them. They also protect the knee by tracking the kneecap, which is why 'lift the kneecaps' is a standing-pose cue. Their turn to lengthen comes in deep knee-flexion poses and backbends like Camel and Bow.
In practice
- Chair Pose trembling thighs = quadriceps holding a deep knee bend isometrically.
- Engaging the quads of a straight standing leg ('lift the kneecap') stabilizes the knee joint.
- Kneeling backbends lengthen them — rectus femoris crosses the hip, so Camel stretches it from both ends.
Poses that engage it
- Mountain Pose
- Stand at Attention
- Arms Overhead (Upward Salute)
- Chair Pose
- Warrior I
- Warrior II
- Reverse Warrior
- Extended Side Angle
- Triangle Pose
- Crescent Lunge
- Runner's Lunge
- Tree Pose
- Eagle Pose
- Dancer's Pose
- Standing Forward Fold
- Ragdoll
- Halfway Lift
- Gorilla Pose
- Wide-Leg Forward Fold
- Seated Forward Fold
- Upward Facing Dog
- Wheel Pose
- Revolved Crescent Lunge
- Prayer Twist
- Boat Pose
- Plank Pose
- Chaturanga
- Side Plank
- Downward Facing Dog
- Shoulder Stand
Poses that lengthen it
- Warrior I
- Crescent Lunge
- Runner's Lunge
- Dancer's Pose
- Bow Pose
- Camel Pose
- Bridge Pose
- Wheel Pose
- Revolved Crescent Lunge
- Child's Pose
Related terms
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The Yoga Glossary is an educational study reference. Definitions are standard yoga and anatomy knowledge in plain language; nothing here is medical advice.