Should I do yoga or Brazilian jiu-jitsu? The answer depends on what you want to achieve. If you need to take out aggression in a controlled and disciplined way, go for Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Alternatively, Yoga will be better for integrating physical health with mental tranquility.
However, perhaps you should consider doing both! While it may seem like the gentleness of Yoga contradicts the fighting force of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, they complement each other. Yet, if your body isn’t exercising regularly, you should start with one before trying the other.
You may learn more about Yoga and BJJ disciplines in the sections below. You also discover some critical information about Yoga and Brazilian jiu-jitsu to assist you in choosing which of these two exercise disciplines is best for your goals.
What Is the Difference Between Yoga and BJJ?
BJJ (short for Brazilian jiu-jitsu) is a grappling fighting discipline. Therefore, it often requires the proper grappling techniques (takedowns, sweeps, chokes, joint locks, etc.) to overcome an opponent. On the other hand, Yoga is a solo meditative practice that does not involve contact with another to perform the poses and breathing techniques.
Yoga, meaning “to yoke,” stems from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It combines breathing techniques and postures that stretch and strengthen the muscles and help rid the body of toxins. All this combines to still the mind and bring on a sense of physical, spiritual, and mental clarity.
On the other hand, BJJ is an excellent ground grappling martial art. Based on the Japanese practice of Judo, its essence is combat-oriented combined with discipline, focus, and precision. Coming about in the 1920s, it focuses on taking an opponent down by using ground fighting techniques and submission holds.
What Are Yoga and BJJ Essential Similarities?
Yoga and BJJ require focus and centering with proper body and weight distribution. In addition, both fitness disciplines require good form, posture, and alignment. Through these, a practitioner develops strength, muscle tone, and flexibility, bringing peace and tranquility to mind, heart, body, and soul.
However, Yoga poses are executed in the same way every time. For BJJ, many poses and forms include guards, side control, joint locks, and chokeholds. So, while the execution of the moves should be consistent, this will vary depending on the situation.
Focusing and centering the mind with either Yoga or BJJ can do miracles for those who wish to gain more control over their mental capacities. This includes things like constructive critical thought.
Should I do Yoga or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
You must consider several factors when pondering whether you should do Yoga or Brazilian jiu-jitsu. First, think about your shape and what kind of stamina/endurance you have. Yoga will be a good starting point if you aren’t athletic or exercise regularly.
Then, you want to think about your goals. For example, do you want to learn defensive techniques, seek inner peace, or both? If you build muscle while steadying the mind, then Brazilian jiu-jitsu will be ideal.
However, BJJ will have intense physical movement combined with swift and severe impacts on the body. Not that Yoga isn’t fierce, but it is much gentler on the body, and there are no real hard impacts. If you are recovering from a car accident or other physical debilitation, Yoga is advisable.
If you are sensitive to even the lightest slap or pinch, then BJJ will be better. This is because your body will accustom itself and tolerate impacts like punching, falling, twisting, etc.
Why Should You Train Yoga?
There are many facets to yoga and different styles—more accessible versions, such as Hatha, and practices with more complexity, such as Kundalini. The idea is that regardless of the school studied. One can take the elements incorporated and apply them to daily life.
When peaceful within the body and mind, you connect with the divine by escaping the suffering and pain synonymous with the human condition. This extends to every facet, nook, and cranny of life, from cleaning to work performance or even focus while driving.
Yoga is suitable for those who lack the skills and grit necessary to take charge of chaos and problems as they arise. It’s also excellent to get the blood flowing and the heart pumping while developing flexibility. So, those who lead sedentary lives will significantly benefit from this.
Why Should You Train BJJ?
We will always have opponents in life. So, it’s vital to learn to fight under the precepts and principles of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. BJJ will teach you to handle situations with others who oppose, confront, or challenge you. Indeed, it also shows the basics of honor, respect, integrity, and dignity.
Although combative, BJJ is a skill that can bring peace to the mind and body by complete and total exertion.
Strength, endurance, stamina, and flexibility combine to provide a sense of balance and understanding of your experience in life. It also promotes problem-solving, quick thinking, and rapid reflexes.
Such concepts are excellent for shyness, indecision, and lack of self-confidence. Alternatively, it’s suitable for people with vast energy reserves who lack discipline.
It’s also a positive way to spend pent-up anger, anxiety, and rage. All this culminates in a keen ability to control negativity within oneself and apply it more constructively.
Related: There are different types of Jiu-Jitsu, each with its distinct style and emphasis. This article will delve into the various types of Jiu-Jitsu and their characteristics. Click here to learn more!
Does Yoga Help with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Yoga can help with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and vice versa. The gentle yoga will also act as a calming agent before and after BJJ practice.
In addition, it will help realign the skeletal structure and purify the body of excess lactic acid and other toxins.
Which Is More Effective for Weight Loss: Yoga or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
BJJ will be far more effective for weight loss than Yoga on the surface. This is because the intensity of repetition and consistent movement equates to burning calories at a much faster pace. But, of course, it depends on why you gained weight, to begin with.
For instance, if you gained weight due to a buildup of cortisol in the gut from high-stress levels, Yoga may be a better way to go.
But, if you are overweight due to eating unhealthy foods and leading a sedentary lifestyle, then calories will be your concern. Thus, BJJ will be more effective.
Can You Do Yoga and BJJ together?
Yoga can be a wonderful thing to do before you begin practicing BJJ, using it as a warm-up and getting the muscles accustomed to intense activity. This is invaluable in the winter when muscles tend to be stiffer and less flexible.
Plus, you can also close your BJJ practice by using Yoga to cool down. It will help reduce your body temperature, begin relaxing the muscles, and help reduce your breathing to an average, regular pace. Of course, this will regulate heartbeat and blood flow as well.
But there are other benefits, too. While there is a need for more studies, recent research suggests that doing them both together can help cope with stress, anxiety, and PTSD. This is because the mind focuses on the self with Yoga and the projection of energy outward with BJJ.
Final Thoughts
Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Yoga are gaining popularity among millions of fans and followers. They are valuable workout activities that many people practice because of their many advantages, and you should also do them.
We’ve learned a lot about Yoga and BJJ in this post to assist you in selecting which discipline to train in. Here’s a brief recap of what we’ve discovered so far:
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a grapple combat discipline that teaches students how to defeat opponents by applying the proper techniques. On the other hand, Yoga is a contemplative practice that does not need interaction with another person to complete the positions and breathing methods.
- Yoga and BJJ may help you achieve peak mental wellness. Otherwise, both exercises may help you improve strength, muscular tone, and flexibility while giving calm and tranquillity to your mind, heart, body, and soul.
- Because of the high-intensity exercise that burns more calories, BJJ is much more useful for weight loss than Yoga. However, it varies since Yoga may be an excellent weight-loss practice in particular circumstances.
- If feasible, you should train in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Yoga. They are complementary exercises that can help you improve your entire performance while giving you incredible physical and mental advantages.
I hope you found this article helpful in learning about Yoga and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. As a result, you will be able to choose the exercise discipline that is most suited to your physical ability and goals.
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