A lot of people wonder if yoga is just as good as running or other cardiovascular exercises for a good workout. The answer is a little tricky because it depends on the results that they want to get. And, of course, it depends on the type of yoga that they practice!
Different types of exercises each have their own purpose. On the flip side, due to the fact that every individual body is different, an activity that works for one person might not work for the other. So, we’re going to break down “exercise” into three different categories:
Aerobic exercise: is very effective in maintaining cardiovascular health because it keeps the heart pumping. Typical types of aerobic exercise include:
- brisk walking
- running
- biking
- swimming
- some types of yoga (ashtanga, vinyasa, power, or bikram)
Strength training: is a wonderful way to keep your muscles and bones strong. Strong bones translate to the prevention of degenerative joint conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. Yoga and pilates are great forms of strength training, but you can also lift weights and do other sorts of resistance training to give your muscles a hearty workout.
Flexibility training: it’s finally yoga’s time to shine! In order to keep your body flexible and limber, and to avoid future injury and pain in your joints, you need to stretch properly. Yoga really works to make your muscles and joints good and supple so that you’ll experience less muscle tension.
Translation: you may want to re-think your exercise plan based on your needs. While yoga offers tons of mental and physical benefits, exercises like running and swimming are also great ways to release some steam and get in a good workout. If you absolutely love meditative yoga (and that’s great!), ask yourself if you need to supplement your practice with some form cardiovascular activity to keep your heart rate up. And if you love to run and still feel pretty tense, you might want to consider some gentle yoga to help nourish your spirit.
Of course, who says that running and yoga aren’t compatible? You definitely don't have to choose between the two! Skeptical runners, take note: lots of athletes are taking up yoga as a way to enhance their performance. Through yogic deep breathing exercises and the emphasis on quieting the mind, you can really learn how to transfer your yoga “moving meditation” to any kind of physical (or mental) activity!
Happy exercising!
