Yoga Fitness

Yoga asanas is the equivalent of Yoga postures in the English language. You can refer to them as postures because they are very well and systematically designed to suit every individual in their quest for a healthy life. I try not refer to Yoga postures as exercises because they are some differences amongst the two. Exercises are more vigorous, as it makes you tired, and more importantly it burns out your energy. Yoga on the other hand, seeks to conserve energy. Therefore the primary difference between the two would be:

Yoga conserves energy
Exercise dissipates energy

Most types of exercises, be it aerobics, cardio workouts or resistance training, requires your body to make fast forceful movements, through repeated actions. This type of exercise over a prolonged period of time can lead to muscle tension and fatigue. The practice of Yoga on the other hand, involves movements that promote stability and energy, to not only the physical body, but also the senses, the mind and the consciousness.

The purpose of a workout is to raise your heart rate into your "target zone" for cardiovascular benefits. On the other hand, after performing each Yoga posture you relax to normalize heart rate and respiration; before continuing to the next posture. The target of Yoga is to maintain flexibility of the spine. "You are as young as your spine is flexible".

In order for you to practice Yoga, you do not necessarily have to abandon all other forms of exercise. Although Yoga is a completely different practice, it can compliment all other forms of exercise and sports. Often the integration of Yogic static stretching with other types of exercises, greatly aids in the minimizing of any or all potential injuries and ailments that can occur from the practice of such exercises over a prolonged period. Yogic stretching can provide much of the needed relief to tight muscles and joints, and assist in flexibility. Through the practice of even the easy and gentle Sun Salutation sequence, a person can increase their blood circulation, release stress, strengthen and improve flexibility of the body, whilst reaping the cardio benefit. The practice of Yoga can immensely improve the performance of any other exercise.

As you can see, there are numerous benefits that you may gain through the practice of Yoga. Yoga has been proven to be helpful to pregnant women, athletes recovering from sports injuries, and by body builders seeking to improve muscle tone and flexibility resulting from muscle stiffness at the gym. Each Yoga asana that you perform is meant to touch, massage and coax a particular organ or system in the body to function efficiently.

Suleiha Suguna, Principal of Maya Yoga Samudraa, is the author of yogabookforanyone.com Yoga for Anyone. This book is a collection of some of the most beneficial yoga postures and it is arranged in a manner similar to that of her classes. Supported with hundreds of illustrations, Yoga for Anyone, will help anyone learn yoga the correct way. Suleiha Suguna comes from a lineage of yoga practitioners and has over 40 years experience in yoga. Check out her yogabookforanyone.com book today.