Skip to content

Yoga and physical exercise - a review and comparison.

Ramajayam Govindaraj, Sneha Karmani, Shivarama Varambally, B N Gangadhar

International Review of Psychiatry June 2016 DOI: 10.3109/09540261.2016.1160878 (opens in new tab)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Narrative review Peer reviewed
Topics Breathwork Meditation
Keywords Yoga Asana Physical exercise
Key findings Argues that although yoga's physical postures overlap with exercise, yoga is distinguished by breath regulation, mindfulness during practice, and emphasis on maintaining postures. Evidence cited suggests yoga interventions are equal or superior to exercise on most outcome measures.

Abstract

Yoga is a multifaceted spiritual tool with enhanced health and well-being as one of its positive effects. The components of yoga which are very commonly applied for health benefits are asanas (physical postures), pranayama (regulated breathing) and meditation. In the context of asanas, yoga resembles more of a physical exercise, which may lead to the perception that yoga is another kind of physical exercise. This article aims at exploring the commonalities and differences between yoga and physical exercise in terms of concepts, possible mechanisms and effectiveness for health benefits. A narrative review is undertaken based on traditional and contemporary literature for yoga, along with scientific articles available on yoga and exercise including head-to-head comparative trials with healthy volunteers and patients with various disease conditions. Physical exercises and the physical components of yoga practices have several similarities, but also important differences. Evidence suggests that yoga interventions appear to be equal and/or superior to exercise in most outcome measures. Emphasis on breath regulation, mindfulness during practice, and importance given to maintenance of postures are some of the elements which differentiate yoga practices from physical exercises.

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on breathwork, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Coupling of respiration and attention via the locus coeruleus: Effects of meditation and pranayama 2018 Review with original findings
High ventilation breathwork practices: An overview of their effects, mechanisms, and considerations for clinical applications. 2023 Review
Breathwork in body psychotherapy: Towards a more unified theory and practice 2011 Review
A Practitioner’s Guide to Breathwork in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 2020 Review
Bhramari Pranayama as an aid to meditation: A review of classical yoga texts 2020 Review

Citations in the library

Cited by 17

and 12 more in the library

Cites 5

Related reading

Explore topics

Breathwork Meditation