We are all becoming increasingly aware of the importance of fitness. Gym memberships, runners groups and cycling groups are quite common. Yoga is additionally becoming popular but is often misunderstood as a kind of physical exertion. In fact, the physical aspects of yoga, the asanas, are an auxiliary part of the practice. Moreover, these asanas differ greatly from regular physical exercises both within their mode of performance and in the results.
Yoga focuses more on steady postures and relaxation of muscles. Patanjali defines an asana as, “a steady and comfy state”. The movements are slow and controlled; the breathing is synchronized. In regular exercise, the stress is on movement and stress on the muscles. Exercise usually involves repetitive movement where synchronized breathing is absent, while we may attempt to control the breathing pattern. As a result the consequences of yoga and exercise differ.
Muscular system
Yoga: It helps develop muscles evenly over the bone surface, thereby increasing flexibility. Yoga is additionally an energy efficient activity.
Exercise: Exercise usually focuses on increasing muscle mass. As a result, the length of the muscle shortens and adaptability decreases. Once we exercise, we use lots of energy.
The heart
Yoga: In yoga, once the asana has been attained, the body is relaxed and blood requirement is reduced. This relieves the strain on the center.
Exercise: In exercise, the effect is the opposite. Ordinary exercise puts a strain on the muscles. This increases the speed of blood circulation and vital sign, which successively increases the workload on the guts because it has to pump faster.
Respiratory system
Yoga: In yoga, the body is in a relaxed state, therefore the workload on the respiratory system is reduced.
Exercise: The constant movement in regular exercise increases the oxygen requirement within the muscles. This increases the speed of breathing, causing the lungs to function harder.
Immune system
Yoga: Yoga boosts the system by increasing the quantity and functioning ability of immune cells.
Exercise: While this is often true for exercise furthermore, it always depends on the character, intensity and duration of exercise.
Stress levels
Yoga: Yoga reduces the cortisol levels within the body. Cortisol may be a hormone produced from cholesterol that’s linked with perceived stress.
Exercise: Exercise may increase cortisol levels within the body because the body perceives exercise as a stress.
Yoga also promotes better cognition through specific nostril breathing; this is often absent in regular exercise. After yoga, the body experiences relaxation because of the soothing effect on the nervous system. Exercise results in production of carboxylic acid, which can cause fatigue and exhaustion.
Other benefits of yoga which are absent in exercise are an increased pain tolerance, control over impulsive behavior and resetting the biological rhythm. Overall, yoga provides most of the advantages of exercise and additionally, also improves subjective aspects like peace, relaxation, contentment and happiness.
