But that’s not Yoga!
Discover Vyayam, the strength-building tradition that complements Yoga.
Some people are surprised when they see ‘Strengthening’ in my weekly timetable. One common reaction is ‘But this is not Yoga!’ Strictly speaking, they are right so why did I add them?
First because I sensed that this was something my students truly needed. I trained as a certified fitness coach so that I could offer these sessions alongside yoga to help build strength, stability, and confidence in the body. There are so many incredible things that happen in the body and mind when we build strength. It felt like a pity not to share it.
At first, I saw it as something separate from yoga, but as I continued exploring, I came across Vyayam. This is the Sanskrit translation for exercise or physical activity, and it turns out that it's not so separate after all. In fact, Vyayam is often seen as the twin of Yoga, to support and prepare the body for deeper yogic practices.
Vyayam and Yoga: Two Ancient Allies
In Ayurveda, both Vyayam and Yoga are considered essential for maintaining health in body, mind, and spirit and are meant to support one another.
If you’ve never heard of Vyayam, it refers to physical training and includes movements that build strength, stamina, and coordination. Think of Hindu squats and push-ups! But it’s not just about lifting weights or doing push-ups. Classical Vyayam often involves controlled movement, breath awareness, and focus, all of which prepare the body for higher mental or spiritual practices.
Yoga on the other hand is much more than stretching and balancing. It is a whole system for unifying the body, breath, and consciousness. The postures that we practice in class are just one part of a broader spiritual path that includes ethics, breathwork, meditation, and self-realisation. But guess what? Even in ancient times, yogis prepared their bodies. That’s where Vyayam came in.
Where Vyayam Meets Yoga
Though Vyayam and Yoga may look different, they are deeply connected in their purpose to help us feel healthier, stronger, and more balanced. As anyone who tried sitting still for longer than 10 min knows, when the body is strong and full of energy, it becomes easier to sit still and focus the mind. So we need to build strength in the body, not just flexibility.
But what matters most for me is not just what we do but how we do it. Both Vyayam and Yoga encourage us to move with awareness. Whether we're doing a set of strengthening exercises or flowing through asanas, paying attention to our breath and the sensations in our body is crucial. In fact, some strengthening routines, when done slowly and mindfully, can feel just as peaceful as a yoga session.
Another thing Vyayam and Yoga share is the use of breath. Traditional Yyayam often includes breathing techniques that go hand-in-hand with movement, very similar to what we practice in Yoga.
Another aspect that we often overlook in the West is that both traditions encourage us to live with discipline (think consistency rather than military discipline!), eat well, sleep well, and treat others kindly. Our lifestyle matters! The way we live and interact with our environment will influence how calm, clear-minded and focus we are in our daily life.
Today, many yoga therapists and wellness practitioners combine elements of both. Adding simple, strength-building exercises to a yoga practice can really enhance your practice and help us take care of our body, calm our mind, and live with more energy and peace.
The key to remember is that Vyayam or exercise and Yoga are not rivals: they are complementary. One energises and strengthens the body; the other calms the mind. Together, they create a powerful, holistic path to health and self-awareness.
So next time someone says, “That’s not yoga,” you could say, “True but it’s part of something even bigger.”
If you’d like to try out any of my weekly zoom classes, just send me an email to tamingthewalrus@gmail.com and tell me which of the classes you-d like to try out. If you cannot attend the live session, a recording will be sent to you afterwards*.
Much love
Veronique
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