Though yoga has been popularized as a form of exercise, its power to heal goes much deeper than copying a teacher to accomplish the perfect pose or forcing the body into difficult postures that may result in a body that looks good, but misses the deeper opportunities yoga offers i.e. softening, inquiry, opening, quieting, strengthening from within, and a deep and peaceful connection to the body's own natural flow.
Yoga Health Benefits versus Exercise Benefits
Yoga Benefits
- Parasympathetic Nervous System dominates – Rest and Repose
- Sub cortical regions of brain dominate
- Slow dynamic and static movements
- Normalization of muscle tone
- Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments
- Effort is minimized, relaxed
- Energizing (breathing is natural or controlled)
- Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups
- Noncompetitive, process-oriented
- Awareness is internal (focus is on breath and the infinite)
- Limitless possibilities for growth in self-awareness
Exercise Benefits
- Sympathetic Nervous System dominates – Fight or Flight
- Cortical regions of brain dominate
- Rapid forceful movements
- Increased muscle tension
- Higher risk of injury
- Effort is maximized
- Fatiguing (breathing is taxed)
- Imbalance activity of opposing groups
- Competitive, goal-oriented
- Awareness is external (focus is on reaching the toes, reaching the finish line, etc.)
- Boredom factor
Yoga
The body is the bow
The asana is the arrow
The soul is the target.
B.K.S. Iyengar
