Yoga versus Exercise

There is no shortage of evidence that yoga is good for you. The evidence is there in the scientific and medical journals as well as the myriad “yoga 4 U” classes that are available somewhere on most streets these days. Certainly the “West” has embraced parts of the Eastern yogic practice with enthusiasm but is it just a grab for meaning that could equally be served by regular walks and gym sessions? A new study has provided the answer to that question.

The study surveyed participants aged 18 to 65 years from yoga classes and fitness clubs across the Washington D.C. area in the United States. The people surveyed were assessed for general health, psychological wellbeing, anxiety, depression, coping abilities, mindfulness, and perceived stress.

The findings showed that regular yoga practitioners and habitual exercisers were similar when it came to self-reported anxiety and depression.

However, the yoga practitioners were ahead in many other regards. The yoga practitioners reported less joint pain and less headaches than those who engaged in aerobic exercise and weight training. The yoga folk also had higher scores for mindfulness and coping skills but lower scores for perceived stress than those who were regular exercisers.

The researchers emphasised that mindfulness and a consequent stress reduction was central to the greater benefit offered by yoga. So there’s nothing wrong with exercise but yoga does give that little bit more.

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