Qigong or yoga: which to choose? 

To help you make the best decision between alternatives to yoga and the practice itself, we have put together the best arguments for each sport. Because it is important to understand who they are aimed at and their goals. At the end of the article, maybe you will have found the alternative you need. Choose what suits you best between physical and mental balance and the desire to tone your body.

Know your expectations

Qigong is a slow discipline with a spiritual aim. Like yoga, it is advisable to do it while being attracted to spiritualism. On the other hand, compared to yoga, it requires less energy and be able to stay still during the postures. Additionally, if you are looking to achieve a state of serenity while taking care of yourself, qi gong should be one of your favorite choices. To find out more about this martial art, do not hesitate to consult our article choose qi gong or yoga which details its history and the existing differences with yoga. 

Distinguish between the two disciplines

The first thing that separates qi gong from yoga is its philosophy. In fact, this is based on the diffusion of vital energy, Qi. She would be essential to the good functioning of the human body also for maintain a good body structure. This energy is based on the very existence of life and nature. This results in the inseparability of body and mind. It is a martial art which allows Man to regain your balance effectively. 

The objective of qi gong is distinct from yoga. Indeed, as said previously, qi gong was built on a energy work. This takes the form of postures, breathing exercises and movements mobilizing your concentration and your spirit. This work is done with the aim of convey energy and some consolidate throughout the body. 

While the yoga only seeks to create a unshakable connection between body and mind with the aim of fullness. 

Additionally, the way the posture should be performed changes drastically from that of yoga. To begin, the movements et postures are slow et fluids. The majority of positions are carried out while being motionless for a few minutes. What changes from yoga since the postures can vary depending on the yoga chosen and can be carried out both standing and sitting. 

Qigong movements

Finally, qi gong is based on 20 movements classified by category: 

• The Sky part : For upper limbs, neck, head and shoulders. In which you will hear “The phoenix stretches its wings back and forth”; “The light of the heart shines outward”; “Breathe in 6 directions”; “The Energy Melody of Tai Mountain”; “Push the steles left and right.”

• General movements : where it is not uncommon to hear “Yin and yang communicate”; “Heaven and earth communicate”; “Pushing Hua Mountain”; “Drawing energy by opening and closing”; “Water and fire harmonize”. 

• The Earth part : Concerning lower limbs and hips. The mantras are “Draw the sun and the moon”; “Torture breathes deep”; “Moving from empty to full”; “The crane lands on the rock.” 

• The Men’s part : implied the spine, pelvis and trunk. You will hear “Looking for the moon in the sea”; “The celestial column undulates”; “Turn your head to contemplate the sea”; “Energy is expressed in the unity of the body”: “The water moves forward following the wave”. 

Engage in sophrology or yoga? 

Yoga and sophrology are known to be similar. However, these practices have dissimilarities. Particularly at the level of pure practice. Let's look at this together. 

Yoga to unify body and mind 

THE yoga beyond being a physical activity is a real way of life. It is a practice whose mission is to relieve yourself mentally and you become aware of your body. In this logic, your body will be solicited throughmuscle exercises such as sheathing or stretching and through different postures. This allows to release your muscle tension and you loosen. 

In yoga, there is also meditation which encourages you to question emotionally, morally and physically looking for a well-being deep in order to Live in the moment. 

Sophrology as therapeutic support 

Sophrology can be an alternative to yoga but it is above all a technique of personal development. It is not a practice that seeks to make you make physical efforts. On the contrary, it stimulates your psychology to reconnect your body and mind while developing your autonomy. She asks for a real personal investment by drawing on your resources. You will be able to get out of your blockages or unhappiness while managing to face tomorrow's trials in a state close to sleep, the sophro-liminal. By doing this, sophrology will have a direct impact on your brain to help you change harmful behaviors in the long term. For more details, you can consult our article dedicated to difference between yoga and sophrology.

Tai chi: the martial art that gives you energy 

Tai chi is perfect for those who want to enjoy a moment of peace every day by gaining flexibility with a touch of spirituality.

Calm your brain 

Tai chi is a very good way to prevent insomnia. Indeed, like qi gong, tai chi is based on a energy, THE yin and the yang. THE yang being similar to fire and the yin translates the tranquility. The higher the yang, the greater the potential risk of insomnia. By practicing tai chi, you return yang to its original place and limit the chances of having insomnia. 

In addition, it combines breathing et movements slow to arrive at relaxation in order to let go socket. This practice will teach you not to control everything in order to detach of your feelings. 

Benefits

If tai chi is practiced regularly, you may notice one of these benefits: 

• Progress flexibly

• Reduces back pain

• Expands heart and lung capacity

• Strengthens your balance

• Learn to coordinate your movements

• Activates memory and concentration

• Reduces blood pressure and stress

• Solves sleep problems

• Focus your energy

• Increases self-esteem

If you are interested in a comparison between yoga and tai chi, take a look at our article tai chi yoga. 

Stretching or yoga: opt for fitness

Stretching or yoga? Your heart is swinging between the two, you are at the right door. The similarities are scary and the differences even more so. Let us prove to you that stretching is the sport you need to tone your body. 

A divergent practice of yoga

The first notable difference would be the philosophy. Absolutely since stretching, compared to yoga, has no none. It is simply a product made to be aesthetic. 

Then, stretching must be done simultaneously with your breathing requiring a high concentration for the exercises that follow. Why is it not recommended to breathe normally during a stretching session? Because it will excite your nervous system, which will cause muscle tension. When you breathe slowly, your body is less tense and you let your muscles work quietly. 

One of the major differences is thesequence of postures Who is carried out without pause and can be more or less difficult depending on the preferences of the practitioners and requires a strength and an physical power. For stretching, we find a fitness gestures where the break is tolerated but where the performance hunt is very popular. To enlighten you on the commonalities and disparities, go to our article yoga or stretching.

In summary

We have seen 4 alternatives to yoga, do you know which one tempts you the most? Back in a few lines on the most important things to remember. 

Qi gong and sophrology

As we have seen, qi gong is a discipline that aims to make you work and control the vital energy of qi. To do this, qi gong uses sequences of slow and static postures established over 20 movements classified into 4 categories. There is the Man part which concerns the trunk, spine and pelvis. THE general movements. The sky part takes care of the shoulders, neck, head and upper limbs. Finally, the Earth part acts on the hips and lower limbs. This practice has a spiritual issue led by the search for a body-mind balance through the propagation of Qi energy in the body.  

Concerning sophrology, it can be a complement to medical treatment. It is a technique of personal development which does not require as much effort compared to yoga. It is a discipline that highlights psychology rather than the body to make body and mind coexist.. Throughbreathing exercises, dynamic relaxation and visualization, YOU work of the blockages or anxieties while you are in a sleep-like state. So, sophrology helps you to to change your intrusive behaviors and thoughts. 

Tai chi and stretching

Tai chi is a chinese martial art. Its objective is to spread vital energy, chi, throughout your body. So, for it to circulate correctly, the movements are slow, defined et elastic. It is made up of two elements: the yin and the yang. Too much increased presence of yin causes insomnia. Practicing tai chi allows you to reduce your dose andavoid sleep problems. 

For stretching, there is a distinction at the level of exercises. Concerning yoga, these are sequences of positions without interruption. Like the stretching, the series of exercises have a break so that you realize which muscles are being used. 

Finally, the last difference concerns performance. Within yoga practice, performance does not exist. On the other hand, the stretching at this notion of performance by seeking to exceed your limits. 

Try yoga with POSES

You are spoiled for choice between stretching, sophrology, qi gong, tai chi or yoga. But you still don't know what to choose? And why not start with yoga? Come and relax while working out at POSES. 

Take advantage of sessions of 50 minutes of workout to become the pro of yoga postures, transitions and movements. So you will get the well-being supreme and a very strong union between your body and your mind. 

Achieve these goals through bodyweight exercises, of muscle strengthening and D'isometry on the ambient playlists. 

THE yoga flow is made for you ! Exert yourself during the exercises in a subdued atmosphere with our motivated coaches to make you sweat!