For some people, it is hard to differentiate between regular exercise and yoga. They think that doing either one can bring the same benefits. So in this article, I will point out a few of the main differences between these two as I experienced.
Yoga and exercise both have their advantages and disadvantages; but if we do them correctly according to our body’s need, then we can avoid unnecessary aches and pains. I love some exercises like swimming, dancing, biking, etc., as they bring great benefits to the physical level.
Sometimes, we do not listen to our body’s needs, and we practice the wrong type of exercise and then suffer from wrong outcomes. If you go on a treadmill with an upset mind, then you might bring out that intensity by overexercising and end up with soreness to certain body parts for the next few days! Also, the time of day is important. For example, in the evening, I prefer doing slow yoga moves with full awareness on calming my breath and mental waves, instead of going to the gym with loud music and performing intense exercise.
Exercise
Doubtlessly, exercise is beneficial for the physical body. It can provide weight loss, build good muscles, strengthen bones, help reduce pain and some diseases, and increase your energy levels. Some exercises are really good for brain tissues and memory. Others concentrate on a small area of the body, like bodybuilding exercise; it can build good quality muscle tissues locally. But even after long dedicated practice, it can’t cure pain or stiffness to the other body parts.
Yoga
Yoga is a way of life, and its effect goes beyond the physical level.
Ancient rishis (saints) were living harmonized with their nature. They observed their surroundings very carefully and learned from it. They realized other animals were healthier and happier than humans, due to their unique habits. For example, when a dog wakes up, it stretches its whole body before starting to walk or run. Ancient rishis were amazed by how quickly its body energized. So they tried a similar position and felt good. Today, that pose is known as the downward-facing dog!
Similarly, they discovered a lot of other poses — we know them as yoga asanas. But their main goal of practicing these asanas was to control their mind and go deep in their meditation practice, rather than focusing only on the physical body.
During yoga, our awarenesses turn inward and we become more in tune with our mind, balance our five senses. All internal systems become harmonized, and work at their optimal level to maintain overall health, such as the nervous system, digestive system, immune system, etc. Devoted yoga practice can tone and strengthen every tissue of the body, and helps to minimize chronic pains and ache. It brings flexibility and strength at the same time, which increases the body’s endurance to any stress – physical, mental, and emotional.
Additionally, yoga balances our entire being and helps to connect with our conscious brain so that we can perceive our surroundings with a positive attitude.
Let’s look at some differences between yoga and regular exercise-
| Yoga | Regular exercise |
| Usually done at a slower pace | Usually done at a faster pace |
| Blood circulation is not increased but balanced | Blood circulation increases everywhere |
| Tones muscle tissue and also helps in building new ones | Tenses the muscle tissue and destroys some cells |
| Helps balance secretion of all endocrine glands and their function | Increases secretion of endocrine glands and their function |
| Increases work capacity a lot | Does not increase work capacity much |
| At the end of yoga, we feel peaceful, stress-free and we have a stable mind | At the end of the exercise, we feel more energetic |
| Increases decision-making power | Does not affect decision-making power |
| Calms the mind, increase awareness and concentration, and helps in meditation | Activates the mind and does not help in meditation practice |
| Helps get rid of self-destroying ego | Increases bodily ego |
| Increases positivity in life | Does not affect our attitude toward life |
| Helps experience subconscious to a superconscious level of mind | Cannot experience subconscious to a superconscious level of mind |
Most importantly, yoga increases the level of our spirituality and helps us to realize our true nature, which is the goal of every human life; whereas exercise does not help to fulfill this essential purpose of life.
