YOGA COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL EXERCISES

by

TRISHA LAMB FEUERSTEIN
Director of Research
Yoga Research and Education Centre
Mt. Lassen, Northern California


Yoga Poses

  1. Parasympathetic nervous system dominates

  2. Subcortical regions of brain dominate

  3. Slow dynamic and static movements

  4. Normalization of muscle tone

  5. Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments

  6. Low caloric consumption

  7. Effort is minimized, relaxed

  8. Energizing (breathing is natural or controlled)

  9. Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups

  10. Non-competitive, process-oriented

  11. Awareness is internal (focus is on breath and the infinite)

  12. Limitless possibilities for growth in self-awareness

Conventional Exercises

  1. Sympathetic nervous system dominates

  2. Cortical regions of brain dominate

  3. Rapid forceful movements

  4. Increased muscle tension

  5. Higher risk of injury

  6. Moderate to high caloric consumption

  7. Effort is maximized

  8. Fatiguing (breathing is taxed)


  9. Imbalanced activity of opposing groups


  10. Competitive, goal-oriented

  11. Awareness is external (focus is on reaching the toes, reaching the finish line, etc.)

  12. Boredom factor

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