Martial arts and yoga share many similarities.
√ Both seek to connect, or yoke, the mind, body, and spirit.
√ Both improve flexibility and strength through movement and breathing.
√ Both come wrapped in the mystique of exotic times and places.
√ Both have lineages spanning decades, centuries, or—depending on your faith in legends—thousands of years.
√ Both can be a part-time hobby or a complete lifestyle.
√ Both are offered in a range of styles to accommodate a range of goals and sensibilities.
√ Both are best learned in person.
√ Both allow you to wear really comfortable pants.
Yep. Yoga and martial arts are both perfect activities for Type A personalities looking to get the most bang for their workout buck.
But I don’t do yoga. I practice martial arts. And here’s why—
Everything that yoga offers I can find in martial arts, but not everything martial arts offers is found in yoga.
Obviously, martial arts offers self-defense skills and yoga does not… and I believe every person on the planet should learn basic self-defense. But putting self-defense aside, there is still one major difference between practicing martial arts and yoga…
Where yoga cultivates a lifestyle of control and balance, martial arts cultivates a lifestyle of control and balance while someone else is deliberately trying to control and unbalance you.
Relating to yourself is one thing. Relating to others is something else entirely. Martial arts takes on both of these projects.
I acknowledge that yoga is powerful. Removing yourself from the hustle and bustle of the outside world to construct an oasis of quiet and calm is profound…
But it’s even more profound to welcome the hustle and bustle of the outside world into your oasis. In the words of W. Somerset Maugham—
The easiest thing in the world is to be a holy man on a mountain!
I’m not saying yoga is easy. Far from it. I’ve even defended yoga in my article, Yoga Can Hurt You. But I am saying it’s easier to find your center lying on the floor, listening to your own breathing than lying underneath someone, unable to hear your breathing because a hand is on your throat!
In yoga, opposition is internal–you confront the issues you bring into practice with you. In martial arts, you confront internal opposition while simultaneously managing the external opposition of your fellow students.
Here’s what would make yoga more interesting to me…
I would practice yoga if every time you hopped up into Crow Pose, the teacher put a foot on your face and kicked you over. Or as you bent back into Reverse Warrior, another student jumped up on your chest and screamed—
“Namaste, sucka!”
To me, that’s life. There’s you striving to hold your center… and there’s somebody else trying to take it away.
As discussed in Sucker Punched By Life, holding on to your center in the face of adversity is the ultimate challenge. Practicing to meet that challenge not only builds flexibility, strength, and balance, it reveals true self-knowledge.
As iron sharpens iron, so does man sharpen man.” Proverbs 27:17
What is “true” self-knowledge? It’s meeting the “you” who shows up when faced with obstacles. Not just internal obstacles, but external obstacles.
Is the person in your practice the same person who shows up when threatened? When stressed? When insulted?
Maybe you can keep your focus when you’re alone and calm, but how about during a divorce? Or a carjacking? At work?
How about when someone lies about you? Or swears at you? Are you the same you or do you fluctuate?
Being your best self when removed from the world is only a stepping stone to being your best everywhere and anywhere you go.
To be our best self, we need to practice dealing with threats to our esteem, challenges to our self-image, and failing in front of others.
When you practice martial arts, you have a safe place to work on your temper, being embarrassed, and feeling pain.
Martial arts offers a safe place to meet your ugliest self.
Yes, yoga is effective for making peace with yourself. But martial arts strives to make peace with yourself and with other people. Let me tell you why that’s a such a crucial difference—
Figuring out how to make peace with someone working against you is the key to building a more peaceful world.
You don’t build bridges by avoiding opposition, observing it from a distance, or liberating yourself from it. You can only build enduring peace by engaging opposition. You must come face-to-face with all the things and all the people who oppose you. Directly.
Look them in the eye. Feel their breath. Move with their push and pull. Yoke yourself to them.
So, yes—yoga is undoubtedly a powerful path to self-control, self-knowledge, and peace of mind. I’m just too busy practicing martial arts to do it.
I’ve done both for many years. (more MA then Yoga) For me this is like comparing a screwdriver and a hammer. I own both, they are both useful, but I was surprised to find that I use the screwdriver (yoga) more in my life. The stresses of life, for me, are better managed with a Yoga practice than a MA one. Though I love doing both. The philosophy of “There is enough” “You are complete as you are” of Yoga feel more natural then “You must be Bigger stronger faster because the boogie man is around every corner” philosophy of MA. Also, by necessity MA, at it’s core is rooted in violence. The art of war is a good thing to know, but it doesn’t always make a healthy lifestyle. Believing at any moment you could be attacked, and you need to be prepared for it is not sustainable for the average person. You mention Yoga’s lack of a outside force or partner to challenge you. In my life, my “monkey mind” or wandering mind has been the greatest opponent I have ever faced on a mat. It’s is always there, and always throwing it’s poo! Bad Monkey! Yoga typically spends more time defeating it then MA. Though you are correct sometimes a physical opponent can create more growth. Of course not many people can really compare the two arts because good teachers are tough to find especially in MA. You and I have been VERY lucky in the quality of MA teachers we have had.
To know both Yoga and MA, and spend the time it takes to truly understand both is my goal. Or when the screw won’t go in any further, hit it with a hammer! Namaste!
As always thanks again for the cool site Ando! Keep it up!
Lenny the Shark!
Thank you for your thoughtful response! I could write volumes about all the issues you raise… hey! Maybe I’ll start a blog!
For now, let me address the issue of martial artists believing they can be attacked at any moment, or worrying about the boogie man around every corner. As I see it, the point of martial arts training is to face and OVERCOME those feelings, not wallow in them.
It’s like preparing for an earthquake. I can’t control earthquakes, but I can prepare for them. Once I know I’ve done everything I can, I don’t have to worry anymore. Life is happier.
Now, go catch that monkey! 🙂
There’s a boogie man around every corner??
Not around every corner… but definitely under your bed.
I love both! But as with any art it’s the teacher that makes the difference. I have taken martial arts classes where I was looking for flexibility and was injured because there was no warm up. I have taken yoga classes where I learned self defence by stopping the teacher from pressing me into a pretzel!
Soooooooo true! I just hope that folks who had a bad experience in martial arts don’t blame the arts, they blame the teacher. If you can take the time to find a great teacher, it’s worth it!
Hmmmm…you make an interesting case. I will have to meditate on it 🙂
Ha! Meditation is yet another similarity. Happy ohmming!
Good post Ando! Looking forward to read more of them.
Thank you, sir! I look forward to writing more 🙂
i myself had reached this crossroads where i believed my presence incited threat, that all encounters were wars, and when i sought karate to sharpen/diminish this sense of war i was quickly reminded through kata that war was inside; I further suppressed this state into a yoga practice, but when i realised that war existed in my hands, in my knees, my back, my mind and that my very nature was stained with war i began to meditate more frequently on this ‘war’.
If you expect fight you endeavour to manifest it existence
If you expect peace, you too endeavour for it’s existence
In fight, we learn there are moments for peace
In peace, we remember our fights
So it’s not peace or fight we seek,
but in stillness there is no fight and no peace. This moment exhibits in both Martial Arts and Yoga as
Go-no-sen and padmāsana
both without expectation, both in total stillness, neither find war, or peace.
In closing, each to their own, and all are one, but since one is called another, then by any other name will it be as effective.
I recommend karate to the karate enthusiast, and yoga to the yoga enthusiast. If one is undecided, then the work will lay the path to the art that suits their enthusiasm, neither of the two has an end, then are both infinite and effective.
Osu/Namaste Sensei Ando
Lex
Osu/Namaste to you, Lex!
Thanks for the thoughtful and poetic comment. Think I’ll get another cup of coffee and read it again.
Peace!
You should try Bikram’s yoga. No “holy man on a mountain” there. Try controlling your breath and lowering your heart rate in a room that can heat up to 110 degrees! I’ve learned to deal with, and control myself, in horrible situations… Situations that were completely out of my influence. Martial arts is good for self defense, but ultimately you’re still operating under the illusion of control. “I have self defense training so my chances of dying are far less likely than that of a normal person” is the usual thought. This is both right and wrong. If someone wants you dead, they’ll find a way. Yoga offers you the option of fine tuning and controlling the one thing nobody else has a say over: your breath. Our yoga has a saying, “come kill yourself for ninety minutes so you can live for ninety years”. And as one of the toughest workouts around, they certainly do mean kill yourself… Cheers!
Hi Aidan! Thanks for the recommendation. You’re clearly passionate about yoga and I respect that!
I should have mentioned that many martial arts teachers focus on controlling the breath as well. That’s actually a huge part of developing and utilizing the mind-body-spirit connection in many martial arts styles.
And when you say that no one has control over your breath, that’s not true in martial arts– someone can choke you, pin you, or punch you in the diaphragm, all of which alter your breathing significantly! Working through that fear, pain, and stress is a challenge.
But I appreciate what you’re saying. As I said in the article, yoga is a powerful path to self-control, self-knowledge, and peace of mind. No argument there!
Thanks for the comment, sir! Enjoy your practice!
I’ve also done both. I just wanted to say that for a practitioner of yoga who also embraces the philosophy, just living in the world while endeavoring to actually live the teachings of the Yamas and Niyamas is much more difficult than battling an outer physical opponent. It is much easier to practice self defense moves against a physical opponent than trying to NOT have a negative or violent thought against them. Anyone who is a true practitioner of Yoga knows this is true.
Hi Mary!
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment. Let me just add one more option… practicing self-defense moves against a real attacker while still having no negative or violent thought against them! That is the whole philosophy of arts like Aikido. In fact, the goal of many martial arts is mutual preservation, as opposed to singular destruction. I’d now say our arts have even more in common!
Namaste! 🙂
Thanks, Ando. I agree with you. I just think many, not you, forget the inner side of the martial arts. Just as many neglect the inner practice of their yoga.
But I see what you’re saying – that both have that goal.
You speak the truth, Mary, sad as it is.
Yoga and martial arts are not about six-pack abs or bragging rights. Both practices can delve far deeper and be applied to every part of life. Of course, superficial gains and pleasures will always be more popular pursuits… which is why opera is not in the top 40! To each his/her own. 🙂
You fail to understand the great difference between Yoga and Martial arts.
Martial arts is materialistic, as you yourself state, it’s about affecting the material world, the body and other bodies.
Yoga is about transcending the material and achieving Moksha, enlightenment and liberation from the material.
Yoga is at its roots a vedic philosophy and is all about breaking achieving a relationship with God
It is through Bhakti Yoga that we cultivate a relationship with God and achieve liberation from material suffering.
As Krishna states in the Bhagavad Gita:
“Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.”
Martial arts doesn’t do that, as you yourself stated, it’s a materialistic pursuit.
Yes it has some things that Yoga has, but those are limited due to a focus on the body and not on the soul.
Always happy to hear another point of view!
I’d still offer that martial arts is not ONLY materialistic… no more than yoga is just a bunch of stretches! The focus is really on who you become on your journey THROUGH the practice of yoga and martial arts. And who we are is a mix of physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual elements.
Thanks for the comment!
It may have certain Elements of spirituality, but without the focus on God, as noted in the Gita, it is not truly spiritual.
Interesting. I suppose it’s a personal choice to include God into your practice, whether it’s yoga or martial arts… or anything! Thanks for the comment.
Why don’t do both?
In my martial art we have both! Actually I didn’t even knewin the first place that people consider yoga apart from martial arts. I thought it was a part of martial arts. And now, I think it actually is! Martial arts are trained for external empowerment (mostly) but yoga (or Vajra Pran, Qigong) are solely internal empowerment systems. Also effective psychophysical training (empowering the connection between body & mind). Like meditation.
I see all sorts of exercising and combat activities as a part of ‘Martial Arts’. It’s just some people likes a part better. Some likes meditation, some likes internal empowerment, some likes self-defense more, some likes to be the ultimate fighter! Whatever you do, the other supplements. Like you do Weight lifting/training as a supplement to better your martial arts skills (as I heard from one of your videos), not to become a bodybuilder.
So why don’t do both?
Sure! Do both! I was just talking about why I personally chose martial arts. For me, the martial arts offers both external and internal benefits, so I don’t require much else for a happy life. If someone’s martial arts style lacks internal elements, then adding yoga may be a great supplement. Whatever works for you! 🙂
This article misses the point. Yoga is integrally an individual endevour. His article is kind of childish and over simplified. It is a type of article written on a whim without research and thought. Misleading. If you understamd Yoga you would understand that apart from the question of having enough timw to practice it, there is no eeason why you cant practice both. Much like learning how to swim and taking Martial Arts. Also Yoga actually helps in Martial arts. Almost all meditation and breathing techniques were derived and modified from Yoga. You can trace this from the time Damo /bodhidarma thought in the Shaolin temple. That is why even Gogen Yamaguchi of Goju aryu Karate and Rickson Gracie practiced Yoga.
Hi Henry! My point was simply that if I have to choose between the two, I choose martial arts. If you have time to pursue both, great. Synergize!
(Oh–not that is really matters, but the myth of Bodhidharma has largely been debunked.)
Thanks for the comment!
Ando
Thanks for the insightful discussion
I just started taking TKD at 50 with my son and daughter. They are green belts recommended for blue. I am likely the oldest white belt ever and I am loving the journey. I came across your wisdom while looking for videos to tighten up my chon ji.
As a Christian, I am not interested in yoga but I can respect practioners of it. Thank you for being such a positive role model and I will follow your wisdom and videos, I am pretty sure I have a bro crush on you!
Respectfully
The oldest white belt
Hi Dave!
Stepping on to the mats with your kids is the most beautiful image I can imagine. I hope you will all enjoy training together all the way to black belt… and beyond!
Thank you for the inspiration, sir! 🙂
Wow. Thank you for sharing your insight! Your line: “While yoga cultivates a lifestyle of control and balance, martial arts cultivates…while someone else is deliberately trying to control and unbalance you” has been copied to my journal.
Any advice for finding a good teacher? Is a good teacher really necessary for a beginner?
Hi Deb!
Wow! I’m honored to make your journal! 🙂
Finding a good teacher is always important, beginner or not! I’m just glad you’re smart enough to already be focused on the teacher, not the style. That’s what I talked about in this article. http://www.senseiando.com/best-martial-art/
My advice is to just start walking in places and trust your gut. You’ll either like what you see and hear and feel the pull to participate, or not. In particular, I would watch the more advanced students, since they have had the benefits of the teacher the longest. If you’re not impressed with what they’re doing, you may want to check out another school.
Thankfully, with the internet, you can start piecing some skills together while you look around. If I may be so bold, my Self-Defense Basics Course is a good place to start. 🙂
If I can be of any help, let me know!
Ando
Curious…what do you think of P90X as a stand alone workout and to asset Martial Arts?
Hi Hector! Anything that keeps you fit and focused is fine by me. I’ve never personally done that program, but it looks like a great workout. So, if it’s helping you, keep it up!