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Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen discuss whether yoga can be considered “exercise” – and why this is a much more complex and nuanced question than it might appear to be on the surface!

Points of discussion include:

Is a yoga practice challenging enough to be considered “exercise” by exercise science definitions?
What is the technical definition of “exercise”, and how is it different from “physical activity”?
Can a yoga practice by itself give our body everything it needs to be healthy from a movement/exercise perspective?
How a person can be considered both an “exerciser” and “sedentary” at the same time.
What is body composition? Can a yoga practice affect body composition?
Can a yoga practice improve muscular strength, and can it improve muscular endurance? (These are two different variables!)
What is cardiorespiratory fitness, and how is it measured?
Can a yoga practice improve cardiorespiratory fitness?
Can a yoga practice improve other components of fitness such as balance, agility, speed, power, and coordination?
What are the official guidelines for quantity and quality of exercise for healthy adults?
Can a yoga practice on its own satisfy these guidelines?
…And much more!