Management in Yoga and Ayurveda Vs Gym and Medicine

Finding out the Difference

Q1. What is Yoga?

Ans 1. Yoga is a mind and body practice with a 5000 year history in ancient Indian philosophy. Various styles of yoga combine physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation. There are several different types of yoga and many disciplines within the practice.

Q2. What is Ayurveda?

Ans 2. Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is one of the world's oldest holistic healing system. It was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India. It's based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body and spirit. Its main goal is to promote good health.

Q3. What is Gym?

Ans 3. A gym is a club, building or large room, usually containing special equipment where people go to do physical exercise and get fit.

Gymnastics is a sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the development of the arms, legs, shoulders, back, chest and abnormal muscle groups.

Q4. What is Medicine?

Ans 4. It is a drug or other preparation for the treatment or prevention of disease. 

Now yoga or work out at the gym is a difficult choice that haunts fitness enthusiasts. If the goal is to get lean, build muscle, and boost our physical and mental performance both of these are great options, but still it remains a dilemma. 

YOGA VS GYM

Few of the differences are between Yoga and Gym are as follows:

YOGA                                                                                                              GYM

1. In general, young people find yoga                                        1. Young people find working out in 

 boring since it's therapeutic                                                         gyms very interesting and cool.

and not exciting.

2. It de-stresses the mind and body                                            2. Burns plenty of calories and helps                                                                                                              lose weight

3. Easy to pick up for beginners                                                 3. Stresses our body and pushes it to                                                                                                              perform at higher limits 

4. Requires just a yoga mat for practice                                    4. Requires a gym with lots of                                                                                                                           equipment's

5. Improves joint flexibility and mobility                                   5. Boosts our blood circulation and                                                                                                               purges toxins from the blood 

6. Stimulates positive thinking                                                    6. Keeps us healthy and disciplined     and mental relaxation                                                                     and prevents the onset of several                                                                                                                medical conditions                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The benefits of Yoga are:

1. A yoga session doesn't require us to spend a lot of money to attend. There are yoga groups in different cities and free events plus we can always check out videos and start following along since yoga is beginner friendly with the exception of Power Yoga.
2. Yoga works on our internal organs and helps detox the body from within. This leads to a feeling of balance, inner fulfilment and mental relaxation.
3. Yoga focuses on spiritual enlightenment and broadens our emotional awareness. 
4. Yoga has been used since ancient time to heal diseases and detox the body.
5. Yoga also gives us anti-ageing benefits by keeping our internal organs healthy and helping them function well.
6. Yoga also provides relief against constipation and bloating.
7. Since yoga is gentle on the mind and body, we don't get a lot of cravings. We also end up eating mindfully since we feel emotionally healthy.
8. Yoga is not time-restrictive since we can do it whenever we want, and free of cost too if we're doing it on our own.

The Problems of Gym are:

1.  A gym session requires us to travel to the gym or take membership. We'll need a trainer to guide us throughout since having the wrong form or doing exercises the wrong way may injure us. Not all gym workouts are beginner-friendly.
2. Gym sessions focus on boosting our cardiovascular health and toning without any focus on the aspect of mental health.
3. Gym sessions involve just improving physical fitness. There's no connection between the mind, body, and soul unlike yoga.
4. Gym workouts don't get rid of any diseases that are developing internally.
5. The hard workouts help boost our appetite, but it's essential that we eat healthy right after our gym sessions to avoid binging on junk food.
6. Every gym has timings and schedules so if we miss out or bunk a session, we are at a loss. Plus, there's the money aspect involved too.
7. Gym workouts do give us anti-ageing benefits as well- certain workouts can help reverse our cells ageing process and the rush of endorphins after exercising will definitely make us feel better.   

Few reasons Yoga is better than the gym:

1. Yoga teaches acceptance- it helps us believe we are perfect the way we are.
2. Yoga is about focusing on ourselves- Many yoga students don't believe even have mirrors so we are focused to think about where our body is and what each muscle and limb is doing.
3. Yoga eases our aches and pains- A gym workout increases them. Yoga slowly stretches muscles and opens the energy channels of the body.
4. Yoga helps us breathe easier- During times of stress. It's easy to forget to breathe- really breathe and not just shallow breaths.
5. Yoga is calming- We move through practice with a calm, relaxed expression. No grunting, no dropping weights, no clenched teeth or grimacing expressions.
6. Yoga reduces stress- Many yoga classes include meditation, or at least Savasana. It gives us a chance to clear the mind of the stresses of the day.
7. Yoga improves concentration- During a yoga practice, we focus on the breath, the posture and the gaze. Outside distractions are tuned out.

                                                           AYURVEDA VS MEDICINE                                                                 

Based on the idea that disease is due to an imbalance or stress in a person's consciousness, Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit and the environment. Ayurveda treatment starts with an internal purification process, followed by a special diet, herbal remedies, massage therapies, yoga and meditation. Goals of treatment aid the person by eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, reducing worry and increasing harmony in life, Herbs and other plants, including oils and common spices are used extensively in Ayurvedic treatment.

Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means "The Science of Life." Ayurvedic knowledge originated in India more than 5000 years ago and is often called the 'Mother of All Healing.' It seems from the ancient Vedic culture and was taught for many thousands of years in an oral tradition from accomplished masters to their disciples. The principles of many of the natural healing systems now familiar in the West have their roots in Ayurveda including Homeopathy and Polarity Therapy. 

In India, Ayurveda is considered a form of medical care, equal to conventional Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathic medicine and homeopathic medicine, Practitioners of Ayurveda in India undergo state-recognized, institutional training. Ayurveda can have positive effects when used as complementary therapy in combination with standard, conventional medical care.

 Many Ayurvedic materials have not been thoroughly studied in either Western or Indian  research. Some of the products used in Ayurvedic medicine contains herbs, metals, minerals, or other materials that may be harmful if used improperly or without the direction of a trained practitioner. Ayurvedic medicines are regulated as dietary supplements rather than as drugs in the United States, so they are not required to meet the safety and efficacy standards for conventional medicines. These medicines can interact, or work against, the effects of Western medicines. 

The basic difference between Ayurveda and Western allopathic medicine is important to understand. Western allopathic medicine currently tends to focus on symptomatology and disease, and primarily uses drugs and surgery to rid the body of pathogens or diseased tissue. Many lives have been saved by this approach. In fact surgery is encompassed by Ayurveda. However, drugs because of their toxicity, often weaken the body. Ayurveda does not focus on disease. Rather, Ayurveda maintains that all life must be supported by energy in balance. When there is minimal stress and the flow of energy within a person is balanced, the body's natural defense systems will be strong and can more easily defend against disease. 

Ayurveda is based on the ideology that of balance between Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha is pertinent and its imbalance leads to diseases. While Homeopathy supports the 'vital force' ideology. It states that various external and internal causes result in an imbalance of the "vital force" which can lead to health problems. While Ayurveda emphasizes on prevention of diseases, Homeopathy facilitates the cure of the disease by activating the immune system through exposure to the symptom causing substance and further making the body resilient to the disease.

Now that we have understood the meaning and have seen the major differences, it completely depends on us that which one will we choose and which one best suits us and its not about traditions or modern times, it's all about belief and health and when it comes to our body which is the most precious asset we should give it the best and take good care of our health and I think after this we will not be confused anymore when we have to select between Yoga/Gym and Ayurveda/Medicine.