Is Yoga Really Exercise? Where It Fits In An Active Life.

I always shudder a little when someone refers to yoga as “just exercise.” Not because movement isn’t an important part of it, but because, to me, yoga is so much more than a workout. It’s a practice that has supported me through life’s highs and lows, helped me reconnect with myself, and reminded me that I’m more than my to-do list or productivity. Yoga offers space to feel, to breathe, and to be present, things I never got from step counts or gym routines.

That said, I understand where the question comes from. In a world where we’re encouraged to “move more,” we often want to know: does yoga count as exercise? Is it enough? And how active do we really need to be? Let’s take a closer look at movement in all its forms, walking, gardening, DIY, and yes, yoga, and where it all fits in supporting our health.

Regular physical activity is one of the most powerful things you can do for your health. It reduces your risk of major illnesses like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers by up to 50%, and can lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.

It also supports mental wellbeing, improving sleep, reducing anxiety, managing stress, and lifting mood. For those living with long-term conditions regular movement can ease stiffness, reduce fatigue, and improve quality of life.

Despite knowing all this, many of us live increasingly sedentary lives.

A sedentary lifestyle isn’t just about skipping the gym. It’s about how much of our day we spend sitting or lying down, at desks, in cars, or on the sofa. Long periods of inactivity can negatively impact our health, even if we squeeze in a workout here or there.

But the good news? All movement counts.

Everyday activities like walking the dog, weeding the garden, taking the stairs, lifting shopping bags, or doing DIY around the house help break up periods of stillness and improve our health in meaningful ways.

Yoga is sometimes underestimated when it comes to physical activity. People might assume it’s just stretching, or that it’s too gentle to “count”, but that perception misses the full picture.

Yoga improves strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility. A gentle practice might fall under light activity, while a flowing or power-style class could reach moderate intensity. Yoga can build muscle, elevate heart rate, and improve cardiovascular health depending on how it’s practised.

More importantly, yoga offers something many forms of exercise don’t: mindful movement. It’s not about calories burned, it’s about how we move, how we feel, and how we relate to ourselves. It can be accessible to people with chronic illness or fatigue, and it often becomes a sustainable, nourishing part of life, not just a workout to tick off.

According to the NHS, adults should aim for:

• At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week (like brisk walking, cycling, or active yoga), or

• 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week (like running or high-intensity classes),

• Plus strength-based activity on at least 2 days a week.

Yoga can contribute to both aerobic and strength goals depending on the style and your intention. A gentle class might not raise your heart rate much, but it can help maintain mobility and build body awareness. A stronger practice, especially when done regularly, ticks the box for moderate-intensity exercise.

When it comes to steps, studies show that increasing your daily steps from 0 to around 7,000 makes a huge difference to your health. You don’t need to hit the old “10,000 steps a day” target to benefit. Most of the gains in heart health and longevity come from that jump to 6,000–7,000 daily steps. That means even small changes, like walking to the shop (or to your yoga class!), taking a gentle yoga class, or spending time in the garden, can have a big impact.

Ultimately, the best movement is the one you enjoy and return to. Whether it’s a walk in nature, planting potatoes, fixing a broken shelf, or moving through sun salutations on your mat, it all counts. Yoga might not always look like traditional exercise, but it supports the body, steadies the mind, and creates space for you to befriend yourself. And that, in my eyes, makes it one of the most valuable forms of movement you can choose - admittedly, I am rather biased!

Naomi Hurst