difference between Asanas And Exercise

1. YOGASANA / EXERCISE
Seminar presentation
Presented by
Priyanka Verma
Ph.D. scholar
Department of Kriya Sharir
Faculty of Ayurveda
IMS,BHU

2. ASANA / EXERCISE
YOGASANA EXERCISE
Slow dynamic and static movement Rapid forceful movement
Normalization of muscle tone Increased muscle tension
Low risk of injuring muscles &
ligaments
High risk of injury
Effort is minimized, relaxed Effort is maximized

3. ASANA / EXERCISE
YOGASANA EXERCISE
Breathing is natural or controlled
(energizing)
Breathing is taxed (fatiguing)
Balanced activity of opposing muscle
groups
Imbalanced activity of opposing
muscle groups
Noncompetitive, process-oriented Competitive, goal-oriented
Awareness is internal (focus is on
breath & infinite)
Awareness is external (focus is on
reaching the finish line etc.)

4. ASANA / EXERCISE
YOGASANA EXERCISE
Parasympathetic nervous system
dominates
Sympathetic nervous system
dominates
Subcortical regions of brain dominate Cortical regions of brain dominate
Limitless possibilities for growth in
self- awareness
Boredom factor (state of feeling
bored)
Low caloric consumption Moderate to high caloric consumption

5. ASANA / EXERCISE
Exercises are aimed at building your muscles
and physical strength and endurance.
Exercises involve repetition of certain
movements aimed at building a certain group of
muscles, thereby increasing the muscle weight
and improving strength of those body parts.

6. ASANA / EXERCISE
IT INCREASES THE BLOOD
SUPPLY TO THOSE PARTS.
MOST EXERCISES
INCREASE YOUR BREATH
RATE AND HEART RATE.
YOU CONSUME MORE
OXYGEN DURING
EXERCISES.

7. ASANA / EXERCISE
The idea of Asanas is not building muscles, but
harmonizing the body, breath and mind, thereby
contributing to the overall health of the individual.
Asanas stretch the body muscles and lengthen them
unlike exercise which generally shorten the
muscles.

8. ASANA / EXERCISE
• Asana develop strength, stability, flexibility as well as
the mind, while exercises develop muscles.
• In the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, asana is described as
“Sthiram Sukham Asanam”, which means that which
gives steadiness, stability and Joy is called Asana.
• unlike exercises, you cannot do asanas with strain or
tension.

9. ASANA / EXERCISE
• No extra load on the respiratory and cardiac systems.
• It must be done in a steady and calm manner and
should induce peace and sense of well being.
• The oxygen consumption during asanas, reduces your
breath and heart rate.

10. ASANA / EXERCISE
• Exercises can build up toxins in the body, while Yoga
asanas help in eliminating toxins.
• Asanas help in optimal secretions of the endocrinal
glands.
• The effect of yoga goes beyond the body. Benefits of
yogasanas include not only strength and steadiness of the
body, but also physiological and mental health.

11. REFERENCES
 Saraswati, s.s (2013 ) . Asana pranayama mudra bandha. Munger,bihar ; yoga publications
trust.
 Ramajayam Govindaraj, Sneha Karmani, Shivarama Varambally & B.N.
Gangadhar (2016) Yoga and physical exercise – a review and comparison, International
Review of Psychiatry.
 https://www.yogicwayoflife.com/yoga-asanas-are-not-mere-exercises.
 https://www.sukhayuayurved.com/difference-between-yoga-asanas-and-physical-exercise

12. THANKYOU