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In this lesson, we will investigate the purpose and structure of bones and cartilage,
different kinds of joint movements, and the implication of skeletal variation in asana. By
understanding how bones and joints direct movement, you will profoundly deepen your
ability to teach functional asana and support your student’s yoga practice.
Learning Objectives
• List three functions of your bones
• Name and palpate the bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton
• Define synovial joint
• Demonstrate the movement and function of the most common joint types
• Describe the purpose of cartilage
• Evaluate how skeletal variation may affect asana functionality
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Compact bone
• Makes up the surface of bones.
• It is quite hard and dense
• Accounts for most of our skeleton’s weight.
Spongy bone
• Makes up the bone’s interior.
• Softer and more honeycombed
• Filled with blood vessels.
• The interior or the long bones houses marrow, which produces blood cells.
Synovial Joint
A synovial joint is a freely moving articulation of
two bones, characterized by the presence of a joint
capsule containing lubricating synovial fluid.
Plane
Hinge
Pivot
Condyloid
Saddle
Each person is unique. The shape of the articulating bones determines the movement of
synovial joints.
Skeletal Variation
Not only can we have a different number of bones in our bodies, the shape of our bones
(and therefore our joints) can vary widely from person to person.
Important: skeletal variation plays a profound role in the range of motion of the joints –
and our practice of asana.
Hyaline Cartilage
• Coats the ends of bone so that they can move against each
other with a minimum of friction.
• Also called “articular cartilage”
• Very smooth
Fibrocartilage
• Tough and durable
• Aids shock absorption and compression
• Example: intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis
Common Injuries
• Osteoarthritis /Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Bunions
• Breaks
• Fractures
• Note: cartilage does not have a very good blood supply, so it is slow to
heal.
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2. With a partner, start at the cranium and palpate and name the major bones of the
axial skeleton. Then switch, and have your partner palpate and name the major bones of
the appendicular skeleton.
3. With your partner, find an example for each of the following types of joints in the
body. Identify and perform each of that joint’s possible anatomical actions:
Example:
Actions:
Hinge
Example:
Actions:
Pivot
Example:
Actions:
Example:
Actions:
Condyloid
Example:
Actions:
Pivot
Example:
Actions:
5. Anatomy in Action: With your partner, describe how your new understanding of
skeletal variation (and joint differentiation) may have changed your understanding of your
own yoga practice.