- Exercise aims at physical fitness of the body whereas Asanas involve integration of the mind, body and soul.
Asanas not just aim at physical fitness, but also mental well being and spiritual health.
- Exercise is dynamic, involves expenditure of much energy. Asanas are slow and graceful. They are static and involve less energy, increase flexibility of the body and induce peaceful state of mind.
- Because of the physical expenditure of energy, exercise makes one tired at the physical level. With Asanas one feels relaxed and rejuvenated after the practice.
- There is a lot of perspiration after exercising. Asanas do not make anyone perspire.
- Exercise involves lot of body and muscle building. They increase strength and stamina of the body. However, the contribution of Yoga Asanas to one's health goes much deeper than increasing strength and stamina. Different types of Yoga Asanas have the capacity to cure the performer of different kinds of diseases. Yoga Asanas are alsopreventive in nature and if performed regularly they can prevent the occurrence of many diseases.
These are my learning from four years of my Yoga sojourn at Kathak Kendra where my guru's Km. Sandhya Mangal and Sh. Shankar Apte took me as a disciple.
