Movement Basics

Bones - Bones have many functions including providing leverage when muscles act upon them, transmitting forces (when we walk or run the force of the weight of our body is received largely through the skeleton) and baring some of our weight.

Skeletal muscle - or "voluntary muscle" is anchored by tendons (or by aponeuroses at a few places) to bone and is used to effect skeletal movement such as locomotion and in maintaining posture.  It is an energy intensive system!

Smooth muscle- or "involuntary muscle" is found within the walls of organs and structures such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, bronchi, uterus, urethra, bladder, blood vessels, and the arrector pili in the skin (in which it controls erection of body hair). Unlike skeletal muscle, smooth muscle is not under conscious control.

Ligaments -  fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and there to limit the movement in our joints

Tendons -  (or sinew) a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension.

Fascia - A fascia is a structure of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding some structures together, while permitting others to slide smoothly over each other

This connective tissue supports the skeleton in a similar way to that in which guy ropes support the frame of a tent. Slight sway will be restrained by a pull on this elastic tissue, and in many areas of the body it is this restraint that preserves muscular effort. It also helps absorb shock in movement. 

Fluids - when contained by the body's muscles and connective tissue fluids create pressure. This pressure provides a very effective response to gravity. 

We are using all these supporting mechanisms all of the time. Emphasis shifts from one system to another as we move and in a well organised body we can reduce muscular effort (the only system we can knowingly engage) to make more effective use of these other systems. 

Your yoga, practiced intelligently, can help mitigate the over use of skeletal muscle which is so often the cause of discomfort and complaint.