How Asanas are Different from Exercise?

One is deep & silent and the other is shallow & noisy, and the choice is up to you

One who has a calm mind, who has subdued his senses, can enter into the world of yoga. It demands dedication, devotion and determination. There are no rules, regulations and restrictions in fitness center. More than fitness, it has become a symbol of status among young generation.

If you love slow movement of every part of body with awareness and calmness, then postures will serve your purpose. Skeletal muscles and cardio-respiratory system never go under any stress or strain in yoga exercise. But in exercise, you give extra burden to these two internal systems of body.

Normal exercise is beneficial to health in many ways. It has moods and phases too. It doesn’t involve any commitment or rely on guru-disciple relationship as you see in hatha yoga course. Several health experts have already come to recognize the importance of asana in man’s life.

Yoga Ashram vs. Fitness Center

Yoga Asana & Fitness Excersise

Yogic exercise gives courage, confidence and real knowledge of your existence. It appeals to mind, body, and inner conscience at the same time.  Fitness center only touch physical dimension with total absence of spiritual aspect of life. Yoga schools are best teaching center than any gym or fitness center.

Many asanas are inspired from animal and birds movement as you experience in many yoga schools. Exercise is artificial. There is slow & rhythmic movement in the former, while you involve in rapid movement of bodily parts which may cause injury or strain. Moreover, there is no spark of spirituality in the fitness exercise. 

Traditional yogic wisdom gives emphasis on the development of the body which helps in flagging-off an inward journey. 

                                                                                                                                

Making yogic pose is neither pleasurable activity nor stress-buster exercise. When you sit on your most convenient asana for meditation, the doors open for experience of spiritual sojourn.   

You can do exercise with fashionable goggles on eyes, rap music in the background and full-size mirrors in front. There is non-sense excitement at every movement. For attaining any pose, you have to perform with physical balance, concentration and with focus mind.  

Sometimes, you never take break and continue exercise, just to impress others. You presume that it will burn more calories which help in giving you slim figure with six-pack muscles. And, you cross the limit and you feel lethargic and disinterested at the end of the session.     

Discipline of Mind, Body & Senses

Yoga is not meant for those who are addicted to sensual pleasure. The aspirant in the path of yoga should be simple, pure and tolerant. In yoga for beginners’ course, asanas are preliminary practice for the discipline of the mind, senses and physical body. Yoga retreat recommends many dimensions of yogic asanas. 

He should be seated in a position which is firm but relaxed. The place of practice should neither be too high nor two low and situated in a pure surroundings. These all are the traditional requirements. The complete mastery over the body doesn’t come through posture alone. You have to perform pranayama & meditation too.

Individuals while doing exercise only think of keeping their body in shape, and in the process they lose sight of spiritual aspect of life. They only yearn for fulfillment of unending desires, and that remains only their focus while they are alive. Asana is associated with purity, physical stamina and vitality.  

In yogic posture, sometimes you get into a mode of total inactivity for few seconds. At that time, there is only silence, no movement and a mood of retrospection. You can take up a position in which one can sit absolutely still and erect, holding the chest, neck and head in a straight line.   

In a gym or health club, you get an opportunity to make friendship with opposite sex and involve in sensual pleasure. Too much mixing and too much talking are some of the obstacles to the path of yoga. But asanas or yogic posture aims at controlling the body and its modifications.

Importance of Erect Pose

The erect posture is absolutely necessary for a yoga practitioner. Moreover, awareness of your breathing and mind is must while attaining any pose is must. But in exercise, no erect posture is necessary. In heavy exercise, the practitioner may become hyperactive and aggressive in nature.

At the end of any physical exercise, you become tired and feeling of fatigue you experience at the end. On the contrary, in yogic pose, there is freshness and activeness in body and mind. It encourages you for yogic breathing and goes for deep meditation. But you completely exhaust while finishing exercise session.

The first important step is to master the asana to control the body, before moving to yogic breathing. Correct pose is indispensably requisite for the successful practice of pranayama. That pose is the best which continues to be comfortable for the greatest length of time.