Yoga Vs Aerobics

We all know that having a fitness regime is good as it helps us all stay fit and healthy. But, it becomes really tough for one to decide the type of exercise amidst myriads of fitness programs available online and offline, such as Tai Chi, Martial arts, Zumba, yoga and aerobics. However, all of them aim to help you have good and improvised health. But, not all the fitness system fits all. Some understand the difference between the Yoga asanas and other forms of fitness methods. While, few simply abandon the difference. However, in this article we will talk about yoga Vs aerobics.

Difference between Yoga and Aerobics

If you are confused to figure out what is more suitable yoga or aerobics, then here are few deciding factors to consider before starting your fitness regime on regular basis: 

More often than not, Aerobic exercises are known as cardio exercise. ‘Aerobic’ means ‘relating to or utilizing oxygen’. These exercises simply increase oxygen consumption in the body in order to stimulate the metabolism process. Aerobic exercises are said to strengthen the heart and lungs as these exercises make them work hard during practice. Besides, aerobic exercises also help one lose weight faster and provides cardiovascular benefits.

Yoga, on the other hand, is an ancient practice considered to be the most therapeutic activity. Yoga is not mere exercise, it is a way of life! The purpose of Yoga is not to build muscles, in fact, yoga is much more than building and strengthening muscles. Yoga is essentially done to bring harmony in the body, mind, breath, and spirit. Yoga is a way to heal the body, mind, and soul, all together. It allows one to be more flexible, along with that promotes relaxation even in the most stressful of times. 

Aerobic exercises help burn calories faster. Often it is said that practicing aerobics regularly strengthen both the heart and lungs. Also, it improves endurance and the cognitive capacity of a person to some extent. Aerobic exercises also work as an amazing stress-buster. Some of the examples of good aerobic exercises are running, cycling, swimming, rowing, cross-training etc.

In Yoga, one performs several movements, yet without being getting tired or tensed. That is why Patanjali Yoga Sutras explains yoga asanas as “Sthiram Sukham Asanam,” which means, that which is done effortlessly and brings steadiness, stability and joy is Asana. Upon practicing yoga asanas one do not encounter an extra load on his/her respiratory and cardiac systems. The purpose of yoga is to induce peace and sense of well-being. 

Other Differences to Consider: 

Oxygen Consumption: Yoga Vs Aerobics

Another difference that you need to know when it is about yoga Vs aerobics is – oxygen consumption. Oxygen consumption during yoga asanas is lesser than the oxygen consumption during performing aerobics. 

Basal Metabolic Rate

When it’s about yoga Vs aerobics, the latter increases the basal metabolic rate. True that, yoga decreases your Basal Metabolic Rate; whereas, any kind of aerobic exercise, whether you’re swimming, running or doing Zumba, are more intense form of exercise, which simply increases basal metabolic rate.

Breathing Techniques

In yoga, one needs to continuously concentrate on breath, as it helps one to achieve relaxation. Whereas, Aerobic exercises stimulate the heart rate and breathing rate to increase so that the exercise session can be sustained. 

Different Poses

However, both yoga and aerobics contain many different poses, yet speaking about yoga Vs aerobic, latter is more intense form of exercise than yoga. 

Calories Count – Yoga Vs Aerobics

Undoubtedly, aerobics burns more calories that yoga asanas. But the truth remains that exercise alone is not sufficient for losing weight, one needs to be mindful about food consumption as well. People who practice yoga Vs aerobics, consume less food than those who do other forms of exercises, including aerobics. As a matter of fact, aerobic exercises can build up toxins in the body, while Yoga asanas help in eliminating toxins. 

Effective Results 

This is again true that doing aerobics help you achieve quicker results than yoga asanas. Of course, when you do aerobics you get flatter and firmer stomach faster. But, sustainability will always be much higher in case of yoga compared to aerobics. 

Flexibility of Joints & Muscles

Both Yoga and aerobics aim to improve flexibility of the overall body, including your joints. Asanas performed in yoga majorly focuses on improvising the flexibility of the body, including your joints. Similarly, aerobics promote optimal blood and oxygen flow to your joints that help them stay well-lubricated and in good working order.  

Weight Loss: Yoga Vs Aerobics

Both yoga and aerobics helps one to lose weight. In fact, yoga Vs aerobics, the latter helps you get faster results. But, those who practice yoga achieve additional benefits such as blissfulness, happiness, emotional balance, calm and peaceful mind. And all these because the yogic postures help in optimal secretions of the endocrine glands that balances the emotions and improves relationships and social interactions.

Medical Aid

It is believed that aerobic exercises reduce the risk of many conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, stroke and certain types of cancer, however there is no evidence for other medical conditions. However, there are many studies which shows that yoga has been very effective in alleviating or controlling many medical conditions like thyroid, diabetes, migraine, sciatica, back pain etc. In fact, since ancient times, yoga is considered one of the best techniques to cure many health conditions. 

To pan out….

Hope you are now clear with yoga Vs aerobics and how both the two forms of exercise are different from one another. You can choose to adopt any method of exercise as long as the objective is only outward. But, if the objective is to achieve beyond body and shape than yoga can be the best fitness regime. Because Yoga Asanas are not simple poses but were developed as part of spiritual science. Besides, health and other benefits of yoga, the primary goal however is spirituality. 

In fact, for the past few decades yoga is gaining popularity world-wide. Most practitioners taking to yoga for its physical and mental benefits. Yoga not only brings peace and happiness in one’s life, but also improves awareness in all our activities. Moreover, yoga poses are a prerequisite for the higher practices of Pranayama, Meditation and Samadhi.