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The difference between asana and other types of bodywork

by Lorraine C. Ladish August 7, 2019
written by Lorraine C. Ladish August 7, 2019
The difference between asana and other types of bodywork

From the outside, an asana yoga flow and a mat-based Pilates workout may look similar. So, what is actually different between them? I’m sure you will get a variety of answers depending on whom you ask. 

I feel a natural high after any physical activity, but my energy feels completely different after a HIIT workout than it does after a vinyasa flow or a yin yoga session. 

When I finish a “minute rounds” class with my youngest, where we all go all-out on one single exercise (push-ups, curl-ups, heavy bag-punching …) for a minute, and then move on to the next station, for one entire hour, I feel exhilarated. But sometimes, I also feel a surplus of energy and I need to calm myself down by mindfully stretching and maybe even meditating for a bit. 

So, after a lifetime love story with various sports and physical disciplines including running, dance, swimming, boxing, weight-lifting and yoga, my personal take is that what sets yoga apart is “intention.” That is, deciding that, when I get on my mat, I am consciously going on a physical, mental and spiritual journey, where every breath, every movement, every thought even, is intentional. Or at least, that’s the plan!

I love that yoga integrates the subtle energy body into the physical practice. The grounding and settling down that typically initiates a yoga practice helps me pull inward and set an intention for my flow. That could be finding balance, forgiving myself, working through grief, or anything of the like. Asana yoga reminds me that I am more than just a body, and when I eventually get flowing into downward dog or any other pose, I am aware of the small but noticeable energy shifts taking place as I breathe and move. 

At the end of a yoga practice it’s like I’ve been on a quest, which ends pretty much where I started, taking stock of how I feel at all levels: mentally, physically, emotionally and even spiritually.

Of course I can and do incorporate this awareness when I engage in any other physical activity, but when it happens on the yoga mat, and I identify it as a yoga practice, then it’s a holistic experience. When I’m done, I usually feel complete and I don’t have the urge to do anything additional to close my practice.

So that’s my experience and how I feel the difference between asana yoga and other types of bodywork. I’m curious. What is that like for you?

The difference between asana yoga and other types of bodywork is simple. And it may be different for everyone. #asana #yoga

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Lorraine C. Ladish

I’m a 21st. Century Communicator, helping empower women and others to achieve their goals. I am the founder and CEO of Viva Fifty! a bilingual community that celebrates being 50+. I’ve worked as an editor and social media coordinator for a number of online publications. I’m a content creator and regular contributor to NBCNews, Huffpost, AARP, Babycenter and Mom.me. I’ve contributed to People en Español, La Palma of The Palm Beach Post, Purple Clover, Latina magazine and Redbook . My latest book on embracing age was published by HarperCollins in 2017. But most of all I am a woman, a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a writer, an entrepreneur, a yogini.

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About The Flawed Yogini

About The Flawed Yogini

Yoga & Wellness

I'm Lorraine C. Ladish, bilingual writer, mom, wife & yogi. I started my yoga & wellness journey at 12, with a book by Richard Hittleman. I have a huge flaw, an addictive and compulsive personality. In the long run, this turned out to be my biggest asset. I learned to channel it into leading a creative and productive life. At 58, I'm committed to sharing my journey to inspire others to channel their flaws into positive things and achieve greatness.

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