Connective Tissue Quick Reference

Connective Tissue
©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

Overview
Our bodies are made up of a disparate set of systems, with our bones, organs,
blood vessels of other components all working together. Connective tissue
is the sheet of fibers that help to connect everything in our body together.
Connective tissue provides structural support, insulation and protection for
our organs. It is also helps to store or transport different substances.

Key Components
Tendons
Tendons connect muscle to bone and are fibrous structures made up of
collagen fibers. Tendons play an important role in movement by transferring
force between the muscle and bone.

Ligaments
Ligaments are a tough form of connective tissue which connect bone to

bone. Their flexibility is limited since they’re responsible for providing
stability and support.

Fascia
Fascia is connective tissue which wraps around the entire body, with the
etymology of fascia coming from the Latin word for ‘band’ or ‘bandage.’
Fascia unites surface layers to muscles, organs and bones across three
different layers. (superficial, deep and subserous)
Superficial fascia: Lies below the skin
Deep fascia: Lies below superficial fascia and is embedded within muscular
tissue. 30% of any muscular groups will be comprised of fascia here. In
addition to providing alignment and support, deep fascia also helps to

evenly distribute force (from movement or impact) across all parts of the
muscle.
Subserous Facia: Lies below deep fascia and protects the linings of cavities
within our bodies.

Collagen & Elastin
Collagen is the most abundant protein within connective tissue and will
provide strength or stability while elastin will provide flexibility. Connective
tissue that has more elastin such as fascia will be more elastic than tissue with
more collagen such as a tendon or ligament.
Scar Tissue
Scar tissue is a coat of collagen which grows at the location of an injury.

Extracellular Matrix
Another structural aspect of our anatomy which is helpful to understand is
the extracellular matrix which is a network of fibrous proteins and
carbohydrate polymers that interlock as a mesh. The extracellular matrix
distributes stress from movement or gravity and helps to maintain shape
and structure within our bodies. It also provides a physical and chemical
environment for nutrients to move through.
Ground Substance
Ground substance is a gel-like material comprised of protein, H20 and
glycosaminoglycan (GAG) found in the extracellular matrix. It provides
support to surrounding fibers and a location for the exchange of substances.
It is also through to act as a shield against the spread of bacteria.
Hyaluronic acid is an important GAG found extensively in connective tissue
as well as nerve tissue. A molecule of hyaluronic acid attracts water which in

turn creates structured water. By resisting compression, electricity is
conducted which acts as a signal to other parts of the body.

Cartilage
Cartilage is a flexible or elastic tissue that provides protection and cushioning
for neighboring tissues in the body. Cartilage can be found at the ends of
long bones, the rib cage, intervertebral discs and the ear or nose.
Fibrocartilage Fibrocartilage is similar to bone but has a higher level of
collagen. An example of fibrocartilage can be found in the discs of our

vertebrae.
Elastic Cartilage Cartilage which has a higher level of elastin. An example of
this can be found on the outer ear, where you can feel a little more
flexibility than you would in vertebral discs.
Hyaline Cartilage The most common cartilage in our bodies often found on
the surfaces of joints. This cartilage covering the ends of a bone is called
articular cartilage and is smoother in order to allow movement at the joint.

Yoga & Connective Tissue
There are a number of different ways yoga can impact our connective
tissue. Connective tissue provides support for the body but will also aid in
movement so the physical aspect of yoga will impact these areas.
Flexibility
Our bodies are wrapped in a sheet of fascia which is plays a delicate role
between support and movement. If the body remains sedentary for an
extended period of time, it will begin to lose mobility and flexibility. For
example, if somebody is spending hours each day sitting down the hips
may tighten which could create tension within the fascia.
A healthy yoga practice will enable better flexibility, helping to reduce
tension in the fascia during every-day movements.

Connective tissue such as our tendons or ligaments aren’t meant to be
flexible since their role is primarily meant for support. They do however
require healthy levels of stress (known as eustress), and a healthy yoga
practice can provide healthy stress to our ligaments or tendons as well.

Ground Substance
There is a lot we still don’t understand about ground substance, but the
communication that takes place through electrical charges is thought to tie
into the meridians and nadis of the energetic body. The meridians or nadis
are understood as energy pathways in ancient eastern cultures.
Theoretically, the electrical activity occurring here could be used for
communication between different parts of the body to heal or strengthen

tissue and restore range of motion.
The joints are where this flow of communication will most often encounter
blockages, so a healthy yoga practice could help increase mobility of the
joints to enable better communication within our body.

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Connective Tissue

©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

Connective tissue provides structural support, insulation and protection for

our organs. It is also helps to store or transport different substances.

©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

Tendons connect muscle to bone and are fibrous structures made up of

collagen fibers. Tendons play an important role in movement by transferring

force between the muscle and bone.

©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

Ligaments are a tough form of connective tissue which connect bone to

©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

different layers. (superficial, deep and subserous)

Superficial fascia: Lies below the skin

tissue. 30% of any muscular groups will be comprised of fascia here. In

addition to providing alignment and support, deep fascia also helps to

within our bodies.

©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

provide strength or stability while elastin will provide flexibility. Connective

©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

the extracellular matrix which is a network of fibrous proteins and

carbohydrate polymers that interlock as a mesh. The extracellular matrix

distributes stress from movement or gravity and helps to maintain shape

environment for nutrients to move through.

support to surrounding fibers and a location for the exchange of substances.

It is also through to act as a shield against the spread of bacteria.

Hyaluronic acid is an important GAG found extensively in connective tissue

as well as nerve tissue. A molecule of hyaluronic acid attracts water which in

conducted which acts as a signal to other parts of the body.

©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

Fibrocartilage Fibrocartilage is similar to bone but has a higher level of

collagen. An example of fibrocartilage can be found in the discs of our

Elastic Cartilage Cartilage which has a higher level of elastin. An example of

flexibility than you would in vertebral discs.

©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

between support and movement. If the body remains sedentary for an

may tighten which could create tension within the fascia.

A healthy yoga practice will enable better flexibility, helping to reduce

tension in the fascia during every-day movements.

require healthy levels of stress (known as eustress), and a healthy yoga

practice can provide healthy stress to our ligaments or tendons as well.

©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

communication that takes place through electrical charges is thought to tie

are understood as energy pathways in ancient eastern cultures.

Theoretically, the electrical activity occurring here could be used for

communication between different parts of the body to heal or strengthen

blockages, so a healthy yoga practice could help increase mobility of the

joints to enable better communication within our body.

©YogaRenew Teacher Training I 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training

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