Physical Fitness and yoga

[AYPforum]

What is the relationship of physical fitness and yoga?

For purposes of spiritual practice, fitness means keeping the body in good tone and flexible externally and internally, which can be done with daily walking or other light aerobic-style exercise, light calisthenics & isometrics for all muscle groups, and, of course, yoga asanas. Something like tai chi is also good, which builds a good connection between the physical and spiritual dimensions of us in a grounding way.

Read more about this here:
Lesson 80 - Physical fitness and yoga

Note: In the AYP Book and the Asanas, Mudras & Bandhas book, additional information is provided covering an effective yoga-friendly muscle toning and aerobic exercise program that can be done at home using only ten minutes per day.


Exercise - What should be the sequence of physical exercise in relation to Yoga?
Exercise is best done after meditation, not right before. With meditation, we are systematically bringing the mind and body to stillness.
Asanas and pranayama are part of this process of going to stillness. With easy bending and stretching we begin to quiet the nerves, and prepare the spinal nerve for pranayama. With pranayama, we further quiet our entire nervous system and cultivate it in a way that prepares it for deep meditation. That is the traditional sequence for best results in a routine of practices -- asanas, pranayama, and meditation. After meditation and adequate rest coming out, then it is a good time to do more vigorous physical exercise
Lesson 147 - Sequencing of asanas, pranayama and meditation

At the forum:
Physical Exercise and AYP Practice
Need suggestions on exercise routine