Yoga as a Didactic Tool for Musculoskeletal Anatomy for First Year Medical Students

Introduction: Medical education requires students to adjust their study habits. Active learning has been shown to enhance understanding, especially regarding anatomy. Wellness has become increasingly emphasized for medical professionals; thus, it is important for medical students to develop wellness habits to mitigate burnout. Yoga is commonly practiced with a focus on wellness and flow of movements. Yoga as an educational and wellness tool integrated into medical gross anatomy is a worthwhile pursuit. This study describes a series of anatomy-based yoga videos designed to meld wellness activities with musculoskeletal anatomy review for preclinical medical students. Approach: Six novel yoga lessons were developed as supplemental video resources for first year medical students enrolled in a course that incorporates musculoskeletal anatomy. Each of the yoga lessons guided student users through a series of basic yoga poses that incorporate bones, muscles, and joints that establish each posture. The intent of the video series was to provide an opportunity to practice meditation through movement in the form of yoga, while concurrently providing a review of relevant anatomical content. Discussion: Incorporating yoga as a supplemental video resource into medical anatomy education offers opportunities not only to promote wellness but to provide a kinesthetic review of musculoskeletal anatomy. Formally incorporation of this content into the curriculum and with clinical application into the videos may promote increased student participation and interest.