The other day I was speaking to a friend who has a chronic backache problem. I suggested that she start yoga. She said however that she regularly went to her local gym and that she was fairly fit; she said she didn’t need to do yoga. Now I absolutely agree that going to the gym or doing yoga is entirely one’s own choice and I admit that as a yoga instructor I may be a bit biased. However, there are reasons why I felt doing yoga can be a better choice than working out in a gym…
You can do yoga anywhere
You don’t have to go to the gym or follow the timings and regulations of a gym or club when you do yoga. You can of course attend a yoga class, but you can do yoga at home, in a park, on your balcony, while you’re away on holiday. While you would typically use weights, treadmills and other machines at a gym, yoga needs little or no equipment… your options are always open.
Yoga is suitable for everyone
One is never too old to start yoga and people with all fitness levels can start doing yoga. Yoga can be modified and tailored to any age or fitness level and the difficulty level can be adjusted. However if someone with poor fitness levels decides to use, say, weights or other implements at the gym, this could increase their chances of injury. On the other hand, I feel that yoga actually helps to heal.
Yoga is a mind body discipline
I believe that yoga not only helps me remain fit and healthy, it also makes me a better person. It has taught me so many valuable lessons about empathy, acceptance, the importance of self-care and more. The value of meditation cannot be overstated. Yoga and meditation make a person calmer and reduce stress perceptibly. There is evidence to show that meditation can improve concentration and memory while reducing risk of mental illnesses. I do not believe that going to the gym – even if it is done regularly and sincerely – can have as many positive impacts on physical health and mental wellbeing as yoga can.
Yoga increases flexibility, balance
Yoga aasans are designed to improve the posture, to increase flexibility and body balance. Using gym machines, while they do build muscle strength, may not be very effective in making the body more flexible. Yoga can also help to ease certain chronic as well as acute aches and pains. As such it is also prescribed as part of rehabilitation for patients recovering from injuries or accidents.
Yoga teaches us the right way to breathe
The correct way to breathe during exercise and techniques such as pranayama not only help to keep the respiratory system functioning properly, they also help in other ways. Oxygenation of the blood and supply of blood and oxygen to the body’s organs can also improve with yoga, keeping the organs functioning optimally and more effectively. Yoga helps to improve the circulatory and digestive systems as well.
In the end, yoga or gym can only be the individual’s choice. However it is important to remember that yoga is a more natural choice to make; and also a much more affordable one!