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How Yogasanas Are a Better Form of Physical Exercises

Webmaster | June 27, 2012 | no comments

Yogasanas are often believed to be yet another form of exercise.

All physical exercises, including yoga, impose a beneficial stress on the body, without which the muscles waste and the bones become weak.

However, unlike other exercises, yoga techniques place the physical body in positions that also cultivate awareness, relaxation, concentration and meditation.

Yoga is an exercise regimen that anyone can practice, no matter how old or young.

Yoga is an ancient practice that benefits every age and body type. Yogasanas and exercises are different from each other, though apparently, both have similar purposes.

The basic differences between yogasanas and other exercises are as follows:In yogasanas, breath is synchronized with the movements; but not in exercise.Energy is conserved in yogasanas, whereas it is expended in exercise.Yoga lays a lot of emphasis on awareness, whereas in exercises it may not be there.

Awareness in this context means consciously feeling sensations in the body-the physical movement, movement of prana, concentration on an area of the body or chakra, etc. Yogasanas have the concept of counter-poses, whereas it is not there in other exercises.

In yoga backward bends are followed by forward bends and vice versa, and that whatever is practiced on one side of the body is repeated on the other side.Asanas stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, while exercises stimulate the sympathetic nervous system.

When yogasanas are performed, respiration and metabolic rates slow down, and the consumption of oxygen and body temperature drop. Whereas in exercise, the breath and metabolism speed up, and oxygen consumption and body temperature rise.

Physical exercises tend to overwork the joints and can often engender rheumatism and stiffness later in life. The opposite is the case with asanas.In yogasanas, glands and internal organs are strengthened; whereas in physical exercises, muscles are strengthened.

Physical exercise tends to build up toxins in the body, whereas asanas eliminate them.

Article by Patresia Adams

About the Author : Patresia Adams is a Yoga enthusiast who loves to spread the goodness of the divine knowledge. In order to promote her passion, she has partnered with Divine Wellness to write blogs on the subject of Yoga poses and how it leads to good health and peace of mind.