According to the National Health Survey from 2008, approximately 36 percent of the adult population in Singapore is physically inactive. Due to this, more and more people are turning to exercise alternatives to help them stay fit and healthy. One of these is yoga, which has been gaining popularity in the country in recent years. However, is it better than getting personal training singapore such as aerobics and weight training? If you’re interested in keeping fit and healthy, this article will give you a detailed comparison of the pros and cons of yoga vs. conventional exercise.
What is Yoga?
Many people describe yoga as the practice of “meeting the body where it is right now”. This means that traditional yoga is a practice that focuses on the present moment and acknowledges the body’s limitations. Another way to look at it is that yoga is a way to connect with the body’s innate healing ability.
In other words, yoga is a practice of self-discovery that promotes positive mental and physical health. This is achieved through a wide variety of practices that include breathing exercises, meditation, and gentle postures. Practicing yoga regularly can make you stronger and decrease stress, increase flexibility and balance, and promote better sleep and digestion. Being physically active is very important, as it helps to maintain a healthy weight, increase muscle strength, prevent illness, and improve mental health. However, physical activities like aerobics and lifting weights only work your muscles and cardiovascular system, while yoga is designed to work on your muscles, nerves, bones, and ligaments too.
Yoga vs. Gym: What’s the difference?
There are many similarities and differences between yoga and conventional exercise. So, let’s take a closer look at these two popular fitness trends and see what they have in common and what makes them unique.
First of all, yoga is a mind-body practice. This means that it focuses not only on working out your muscles and cardiovascular system but also on improving your mental and emotional fitness. Yoga is all about making positive changes in your life. Regular yoga practice has been shown to reduce anxiety and increase concentration, which can help you stay focused and productive throughout the day.
Conversely, conventional exercise focuses on improving your muscles and cardiovascular system only. This means that it does not address the mind or your mental and emotional fitness.
Another difference between yoga and conventional exercise is that yoga is a slower paced form of exercise. This means that you will need more time to exercise, as well as take more breaks between sets. Yoga classes will likely be longer than aerobics classes and the movements will likely be slower and more controlled.
Yoga pros
- Better for People with Physical Disabilities: Yoga can be beneficial for people with physical disabilities, as it is a total body workout that can work on every muscle group. It helps to increase joint stability, improve balance, and build strength.
- Better for People with Mental Health Issues: Among people who practice yoga regularly, there is a correlation between yoga and mental health. This means that yoga can be a great way to treat mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
- Better for People with Diabetes: Diabetics who practice yoga regularly have shown to have a lower risk of developing complications related to diabetes. It has also been linked to a lower blood sugar spike after eating.
- Better for People with Cardiac Issues: Regular yoga practice has been shown to improve cardiac function and reduce blood pressure. This means that yoga can be helpful for people with hypertension or heart disease.
- Better for Skin and Hair: Yoga has been linked to reduced stress, better sleep, and increased concentration. These benefits are all applicable on the inside and outside of your body. This means that yoga can also help to improve mood, focus, and your self-esteem.
- Better for Strength: One of the biggest advantages of practicing yoga is that it can help to strengthen your muscles while increasing flexibility. This is beneficial for people who want to stay injury-free and avoid injuries when working out.
- Better for Mental Well-Being: People who practice yoga regularly are more likely to be content with their lives and have better mental health than those who don’t practice yoga. Yoga can help to decrease stress, improve mood, and increase self-esteem.
- Better for Impending Careers: Yoga can help to improve mental and physical health, which can be beneficial for people who are planning to make career transitions. This means that you can have a healthier mental state and have more stamina to work longer hours.
- Better for Preventing Disease: Yoga can help to regulate your hormones and provide a sense of calm that can prevent disease. Yoga also emphasizes proper breathing and posture, which can help to prevent injuries and improve your posture.
- Better for Stress Management: Another advantage of yoga is that it can help to reduce stress and tension, which can be very harmful in your life. Yoga is a great way to de-stress and relax when you need it most.
Gym pros
- It is Stable: Yoga is great for flexibility and conditioning, but it is less stable than conventional exercise. This means that yoga poses are based on flexibility, while conventional exercises are based on strength. If you want to build a strong and stable body, yoga is not a good option as it works on flexibility and flexibility only.
- It is Easy to Learn: Yoga is an open-minded and accepting form of exercise, which means that it is easy to learn and can be done by almost anyone. However, it is very different from conventional exercise, where you have to have certain levels of fitness or experience.
Gym cons
- Cost: If you are looking for a cheap way to stay healthy and fit, then you should consider going to a gym. However, if you want to get the most out of your membership, you should consider joining a yoga class.
- Availability: In order for you to get the most out of your gym membership, you need to make sure that you go to the gym frequently. Yoga, on the other hand, is a practice that you can do at home whenever you want.
- No Posture Strengthening: If you are looking for a way to strengthen your muscles, you should consider practicing conventional exercise instead. This is because yoga has been linked to flexibility and agility, while conventional exercise has been linked to strength.
- Lack of Specific Workout Plans: If you want to stay healthy and fit, you need to follow a specific workout plan. In other words, if you want to lose weight or build muscle, you will need to follow a workout plan designed for this specific goal.
- Lack of Accountability: In order for you to stay committed to a fitness routine, you need to have accountability. This means that you will have to meet a friend or join a fitness group. There is nothing wrong with this, but you can achieve the same result by practicing yoga at home by yourself.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to get fit, yoga can be a great option for you. It may be slower paced and require more time, but it can be a great way to build strength and balance. Yoga may be better for people with physical disabilities, people with mental health issues, those with cardiac issues, and those who want to prevent disease. It can be a great choice, but make sure you go to the gym regularly.
