The Difference Between Yoga and Stretching
By Chris Gordon
Big River Body Works
Both yoga and stretching involve opening up muscles, lengthening, and creating space to feel freedom in the joints. Stretching is an important part of any exercise routine. Bend your knee grab your foot, and �voila� you have a nice quad stretch. Bend over and touch you toes and there is a great hamstring opener. It is very important to warm up and open your muscles before and after a good run or workout.
Yoga incorporates what we in the Anusara yoga community call the three A's: Attitude, Alignment and Action which can be thought of in terms of a musician playing an instrument.
1. Attitude is the heart behind the music. Attitude asks us to soften the outer edges of ourselves and expand from the inside out. We want to play the musical instrument of our body with soul and open to the unlimited potential life has to offer and breath in the possibilities.
2. Alignment is the fine-tuning of your instrument. Be aware of how and where you place your feet, hips, shoulders, neck and head. Precision is important for any musician and is for the yogi as well. It sharpens awareness and aligns the body. Your breath should be steady, smooth and deep.
3. Action is the playing of the instrument. Tune in to the rhythm of your breath. Each pose requires engagement to support proper alignment and extension of your muscles and bones to feel a sense of freedom. Life is a blessing and we practice yoga to celebrate and remember our blessings.
Stretching plays a very important role in any exercise routine. Yoga is a way to expand our limited sense of our self and to open our hearts to the wonder of life.
