The Musculoskeletal System is composed of our Skeletal System and the Skeletal Muscles. This is basically the system concerned with our mobility and the protection of our internal organs. The Skeletal System holds and provides shape to our body. Our body is composed of 350 bones when we are children and 206 bones when we become adults. These bones are joined together by our joints. The Skeletal Muscles, on the other hand, is one of the three types of muscles in our body controlled by our somatic nervous system. The body is basically composed of more than 640 muscles which compose more than half of the body's weight. Muscles may either be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary Muscles include the Skeletal Muscles while involuntary muscles include the Heart, Lungs, and other internal organs.

Skeletal System

The human skeleton protects the softer parts of the body (i.e. the muscles and organs), enables us to move, produces blood cells in the bone marrow, acts as a store for many minerals the body needs particularly calcium and phosphorus, and gives the body its general shape. If the skeleton of a body is suddenly removed, the body will sink to the floor in a shapeless mass.

Our body depends on an intricate framework of 206 bones, which are surrounded by muscle and connective tissue that allow movement to take place. Anatomists divide the skeleton into two parts: the axial skeleton and the perpendicular skeleton. The previous consists of the skull (28 bones), the vertebrae (26), the ribs (24), and the hyoid and sternum. The latter consists of the shoulders, arms and hands (64 bones) and the pelvis, legs, and feet (26).

The bones that make up the skeleton consist of a rigid, brittle honeycomb of calcium-rich salts interspersed with an organic template containing the cells that build the bone. The actual bone itself consists of a hard outer layer and a much softer, sponge-like inner core. This inner core of porous bone is where the marrow is formed.

Despite their solid appearance, the bones that make up the skeleton are living tissues, growing and reshaping themselves to the strains that are placed upon them.

Yoga and the Skeletal System

Yoga helps in the realignment of various mechanical disorders like slipped disc, hiatus hernia, umbilical hernia, arthritis, cervical spondylitis, and many others. For a slipped disc, the bony column and muscles are pulled apart so that the disc is not pressurized.

Various Yoga Exercises are employed in the practice to help in dealing with various medical problems. These Asanas can be done sitting, standing, lying down, and upside down. All of these poses place varied stresses and strains on the organs, muscles, bones, ligaments, and nerves.

Asanas are designed to improve health and bring energy to the body and mind. These free all the body’s different joints, opening them up to relieve pressure on the protective cartilage and restore correct alignment of the bones. By keeping muscles and ligaments healthy and posture correct, you can prevent damages to the joints.

Skeletal System Background

Our body depends on an intricate framework of some 206 bones. The axial skeleton compromises skull, breast bone, ribs and the column of vertebrae guarding the vital spine cord. The successive arcs of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral) give it resilience and effective weight distribution. Problems of the spinal curves - round shoulders, hollow back and twisted spine - cause increased stress on the lumbar vertebrae and on the joint and the limbs, pelvis and pectoral girdle. These joints are protected from wear by cartilage, and supported by in the correct position by muscles and ligaments.

Yoga and the Skeleton

Yoga asanas or poses are designed to free all the body's different joints, opening them up to relieve pressure on the protective cartilage and restore correct alignment of the bones. By keeping muscles and ligaments healthy and posture correct, you can prevent problems of damage to joints.

You can take good care of your Muscular System through the help of Yoga. Not only does it strengthen your muscles but at the same time, you gain a healthy inner being as well.