How to create a bonesurrounding glow?

Hey Guys,

I´d like to create a glowing/rippling effect around the whole body of a character.
I´ve searched for a picture that looks similar to what I mean:

However, so far I have no idea how to get this effect going.
What I thought of is spawning several glowing-cloudy particles
around the bones that should have the glowing effect.

But the most elegant solution might be a material that creates that slightly glowing look.

So, how would you create this effect?

Cheers, Paul