There’s a lot of confusion about what yoga is and isn’t.
Some people think that yoga is just an exercise or workout routine, but that’s not accurate. Yoga is actually a spiritual practice that has been around for thousands of years. It can be used as a way to improve health and well-being, but it’s not meant to be used as a form of exercise.
There are many benefits to yoga, both physically and spiritually. However, if you’re looking for a workout, then yoga may not be the best option for you. There are other forms of exercise that can better suit your needs.
Spiritual benefits that show yoga is not just a workout:
Consciousness:
One of the main goals of yoga is to help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. This can be done through meditation and other mindfulness practices.
Scientists have found that Yoga plays a significant role in body-mind coordination. Spiritual techniques are time-tested and yogi-approved, yoga has been shown to be one of the most powerful practices for going beyond the physical self to access subconscious and super-conscious states. In these stages, individual consciousness enters into the divine core of life – known as the sheath of ultimate bliss.
Concentration:
Yoga can also help you learn to focus your attention on one thing at a time. This can be helpful in daily life when you need to focus on work or school.
Relaxation:
Yoga can help you learn to relax both your body and mind. This can be helpful in managing stress and anxiety.
Physical benefits of yoga beyond workout:
Flexibility:
One of the most common benefits of yoga is increased flexibility. Yoga stretches and tones your muscles, which can lead to increased flexibility.
Strength:
Yoga can also help you build strength. While you may not think of yoga as a workout, it actually requires a lot of strength and stamina to hold some of the poses.
Balance:
Yoga can help improve your balance. This is due to the fact that many yoga poses require you to balance your body in some way.
Overall, yoga is a spiritual practice that has many benefits, both physical and spiritual. However, it’s not meant to be used as a form of exercise. If you’re looking for a workout, then there are other options available that may better suit your needs.
Why yoga is not exercise:
1. It doesn’t elevate your heart rate: One of the main goals of exercise is to get your heart rate up and keep it there for an extended period of time. This helps to improve cardiovascular health. Yoga, on the other hand, does not elevate your heart rate in the same way that other forms of exercise do.
2. It doesn’t make you sweat: Another goal of exercise is to make you sweat, which helps to flush toxins from your body. Yoga does not typically make you sweat, unless you are doing a more strenuous yoga practice.
3. It’s not aerobic: Aerobic exercise is important for heart health. Yoga is not an aerobic exercise, so it will not provide the same heart-healthy benefits as other forms of exercise.
4. It’s not challenging: If you’re looking for a workout that is challenging and will help you to burn calories, then yoga is not the best option. There are other forms of exercise that are more challenging and will help you to better reach your fitness goals.
5. You don’t build muscle: Yoga can help to tone your muscles, but it’s not typically a form of exercise that helps you to build muscle mass. If you’re looking to build muscle, then you should focus on other forms of exercise, such as weightlifting.
6. It’s not high-intensity: High-intensity exercise is important for some people, especially those who are trying to lose weight. Yoga is not a high-intensity form of exercise, so it may not be the best option if you’re looking for a workout that will help you to burn calories.
7. You don’t move around much: Yoga is a mostly stationary form of exercise. You don’t move around much, which can be beneficial for some people, but it may not be the best option if you’re looking for a workout that will get you moving.
8. It’s not competitive: Some people enjoy the competitiveness of exercise, but yoga is not a competitive form of exercise. This can be good or bad, depending on your personal preferences.
9. You don’t need any equipment: You don’t need any equipment to do yoga, which is one of the benefits of this form of exercise. However, if you’re looking for a workout that uses equipment, then yoga is not the best option.
10. It can be done anywhere: Yoga can be done anywhere, which is another benefit of this form of exercise. However, if you’re looking for a workout that is done in a specific location, such as a gym, then yoga is not the best option.
Yoga has many benefits, but it’s important to understand that it’s not a form of exercise. If you’re looking for a workout, then there are other options available that may better suit your needs.
What can I do if I want exercise-based activities?
There are many different ways to get exercise, and yoga is just one of them. If you’re looking for a workout, then there are other options available that may better suit your needs. Some other options include:
-Weightlifting
-Running
-Hiking
-Biking
-Swimming
-Team sports
No matter what your fitness goals are, there is an exercise that can help you to reach them. Talk to your doctor or a personal trainer to find out which exercises are best for you.
Which yoga is like exercise?
There are many different types of yoga, and some may be more like exercise than others. If you’re looking for a yoga practice that is more like exercise, then you may want to try:
- -Ashtanga yoga: This type of yoga is a more strenuous practice that can help to build muscle and improve cardiovascular fitness.
- -Bikram yoga: This type of yoga is practiced in a hot room, which can help you to sweat and detoxify your body.
- -Power yoga: This type of yoga is a more strenuous practice that can help to build muscle and improve cardiovascular fitness.
Why yoga is not just exercise:
Yoga is a holistic practice that can offer many benefits, both physical and mental. While some people may use yoga as a form of exercise, it’s important to understand that yoga is more than just a workout. Yoga can help to improve your flexibility, strength, and balance, but it can also help to reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and improve your overall wellbeing. If you’re looking for a way to improve your health and wellbeing, then yoga may be the right practice for you.
Differences between yoga and exercises/workout:
- -Yoga is a holistic practice that can offer many benefits, both physical and mental. Exercise is typically just focused on the physical benefits.
- -Yoga can be done anywhere, while some exercises need to be done in a specific location, such as a gym.
- -You don’t need any equipment to do yoga, while some exercises require equipment.
- -Yoga is not a competitive form of exercise, while some exercises can be competitive.
- -Yoga is suitable for all levels of fitness, while some exercises may be more suitable for people who are already fit.
- -Yoga can help to improve your flexibility, strength, and balance, while exercise is typically just focused on the physical benefits.
- -Yoga can help to reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and improve your overall wellbeing. Exercise is typically just focused on the physical benefits.
More evidence yoga is more than fitness exercises
Yoga can help you to:
- Ease stress and anxiety
- Improve sleep
- Boost your mood
- Reduce inflammation
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve heart health
- Promote better breathing
- Increase strength and flexibility
- Improve balance and coordination
FAQs
Q: Isn’t yoga just a series of stretches?
A: While yoga does involve stretching, it is much more than that. Yoga is a mind-body practice that can help you to improve your physical and mental well-being.
Q: I’m not flexible, so I can’t do yoga.
A: You don’t have to be flexible to do yoga. There are many different types of yoga, and each one is suitable for people of all levels of flexibility.
Q: I’m not in shape, so I can’t do yoga.
A: Yoga is a great way to get in shape, but you don’t have to be in shape to do yoga. There are many different types of yoga, and each one is suitable for people of all fitness levels.
Q: I’m not interested in meditation or spirituality, so I can’t do yoga.
A: You don’t have to be interested in meditation or spirituality to do yoga. There are many different types of yoga, and each one is suitable for people of all levels of interest in meditation and spirituality.
Q: Isn’t yoga just for women?
A: No, yoga is not just for women. Men can also benefit from the practice of yoga.
Q: Is yoga for me?
A: Yoga has many benefits, but it’s not for everyone. Consider your fitness goals and preferences before you decide if yoga is right for you. There are many different types of yoga, so there is sure to be a style that is perfect for you. Talk to your doctor or a yoga instructor to find out more about the different types of yoga and to see if yoga is right for you.
The bottom line
Yoga is a great way to relax and de-stress, but it’s not a workout. If you’re looking for a workout, then there are other options available that may better suit your needs. Talk to your doctor or a personal trainer to find out which exercises are best for you.
*Photo used in cover image credit to Max Nikhil Thimmayya