Sadhguru speaks about the Upayoga and Angamardhana systems, which are exceptional processes for fitness and health. He explains that fitness is not just about muscular strength, but about the overall health of the body, and includes aspects such as flexibility and organ health.

Full Transcript:

Sadhguru: See, because yoga is not an exercise form, it has other dimensions to it, teaching it as a compulsory process in the school has its limitations. It may… You may reduce yoga into a gymnastic process, which will be a severe… It’s a crime to do that. But there is something called as Upa Yoga – that means sub-yoga or useful processes of doing things which has no spiritual dimension attached to it. If you do Upa Yoga or Angamardhana systems of yoga, fitness is assured, you will not need any equipment, all you need is six by six floor and you will be super fit and you can build your muscle, everything. Only thing is you won’t become like this (Gestures). A whole lot of people have become like this (Gestures), they think they are fit. I think they are in a straightjacket (Laughter). It’s not just strength, it’s not just the bulge of your muscle. The flexibility of your body is as important for proper functioning of the system. In yoga we are not just looking at the muscular strength and other structure alone. The… the organ health is very important.

So the system is evolved so that there is organ health. Now, you’ve got this (Gestures), your liver is not working properly – what’s the use? This… this whole thing, I always wonder… (Gestures) Have you seen people who have built muscle (Gestures), they… they did lot of weight (Gestures)… What's the point of that? It’s very important the body is flexible and usable. If it’s just about showing rocks – you can wear pads and show it to people (Laughter).

Editor’s Note: Excerpted from Sadhguru’s discourse at the Isha Hatha Yoga School’s 21-week Hatha Yoga Teacher Training program. The program offers an unparalleled opportunity to acquire a profound understanding of the yogic system and the proficiency to teach Hatha Yoga. The next 21-week session begins on July 16 to Dec 11, 2019. For more information, visit www.ishahathayoga.com or mail info@ishahatayoga.com