What Is The Difference Between Yoga And Fitness-Yoga

Actually all Yoga is fitness yoga. But, nowadays, with so many forms and styles cropping up, different names are given to all, each vying with the other with claims and counter claims. As far as claims go, there is supposed to be a considerable difference between classical yoga that helps the body, mind and heart and fitness yoga that only focuses on the body. The latter is called fitness yoga. True, any dedicated yoga student would know that half the problem lies in the mind and emotions. The difficulty lies in going the whole nine yards.

Yoga Is An Eightfold Path Consisting Of The Following:

• Yamas (Dont’s)

• Niyamas (Do’s)

• Asanas (exercises and postures)

• Pranayamas (breathing exercises)

• Pratyahara (self control through withdrawal of the senses)

• Dharana (concentration)

• Dhyana (meditation) and

• Samadhi (a state of super-consciousness that is more an end result, rather than a practice)

These eight steps were carefully laid down by sage Patanjali designed to improve overall health and wellbeing and help the practitioner establish a link with his true inner self. While a fit, healthy body is essential to good mental and spiritual health, the old, classical yoga laid less emphasis on muscle development, rather on toning up internal organs and correcting ones posture. The main aim behind classical yoga – or what people simply call yoga – is a balanced mind, calmness and tranquility of emotions.

For those seeking a more limited and modern approach to this ancient, predominantly spiritual art form, there is fitness yoga. This comprises a set of disciplines, ranging from stretching and contracting to strength training. Fitness yoga, as mentioned earlier, is more focused on the physique and helps you zero in on various different parts of your body for intense and thorough results. There are different regimens for different student, depending on ones age, sex and health condition. All of them help achieve a healthy physical balance. Naturally, the benefits pass on to the mind as well. All in all, this is a specific, broad-based and synthesizing form of yoga. Students say they feel very invigorated and much more alive with the training and regimen. Some of the specific benefits accruing to fitness yoga can be laid down as follows:

Yoga Benefits:

• A leaner and stronger physique

• Better concentration

• Better flexibility and more range of motion

• Correction of postural defects

• Improvement in overall health and levels of energy

• Increased body awareness

• Lower levels of stress and tension

• Weight loss