Final answer:
The muscles that stabilize the upper body in Chaturanga Dandasana involve the anterior thoracic muscles, posterior thoracic muscles around the pectoral girdle, and deep core muscles, ensuring proper alignment and body weight support during the pose.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chaturanga Dandasana and Muscle Stabilization
The muscles stabilize the upper body in Chaturanga Dandasana by engaging multiple groups of muscles, chiefly in the pectoral girdle. The primary muscles stabilize the position of the pectoral girdle and include the anterior thoracic muscles such as the subclavius, pectoralis minor, and serratus anterior, as well as the posterior thoracic muscles like the trapezius, rhomboid major, and rhomboid minor. In addition to these, muscles that originate on the axial skeleton, specifically the pectoralis major and the latissimus dorsi, as well as those that originate on the scapula, including the deltoid, subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres major, and teres minor, provide stabilization and movement for the humerus during the pose. The engagement of these muscles around the pectoral girdle creates a strong base to support the weight of the body while performing Chaturanga Dandasana.
Aside from muscles directly associated with the pectoral girdle, the core muscles play a critical role in maintaining a stable posture during the pose. The deep muscles of the core, such as the transversus abdominis and other abdominal muscles like the external obliques, internal obliques, and rectus abdominis, aid in stabilizing the midsection and adjusting the alignment of the spine during the exercise.