Yoga vs. Meditation: What’s the Difference (and Why You Might Need Both)?

Ever find yourself asking:

“Is yoga basically meditation with movement?”
“Do I need both, or is one enough?”

It’s easy to blur the lines between yoga and meditation. Both focus on the present moment. Both can help you breathe, relax, and reset. And both are practiced right here in Manteca.

But they’re not the same, and understanding the difference might help you figure out what your body (and brain) actually needs.

Let’s clear it up.

What Is Yoga? (Hint: It’s More Than Just Movement)

Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines:

  • Physical postures (asanas)

  • Breathwork (pranayama)

  • Mindfulness and presence

Depending on the class style, yoga can feel like a workout, a stretch, a moving meditation—or all three.

At Excel Yoga, you’ll find a mix of:

  • Heated Vinyasa for strength and sweat

  • Slow Flow for balance and flexibility

  • Yin Yoga for stillness and deep release

  • Restorative sessions for recovery and rest

While movement is a big part of yoga, its deeper purpose is unity of mind, body, and breath—and that’s where it touches on meditation.

What Is Meditation? (Stillness With a Purpose)

Meditation is the practice of sitting (or lying) still and focusing the mind—often on the breath, a mantra, or simple awareness.

Its benefits include:

  • Stress reduction

  • Improved focus and attention

  • Better emotional regulation

  • Increased self-awareness

  • Greater mental clarity

Meditation doesn’t involve movement, it’s about cultivating inner stillness and detachment from mental noise.

For many people, it’s the first time they learn to just be without needing to do.

How Yoga and Meditation Overlap (and Support Each Other)

Here’s the cool part: yoga can be a form of moving meditation.

Both yoga and meditation help you:

  • Tune into the present moment

  • Let go of stress and distractions

  • Improve awareness of your body, breath, and thoughts

  • Regulate your nervous system

Many Excel Yoga students tell us:

“I came for the stretch—but stayed for the stress relief.”

Yoga teaches you to breathe through discomfort, focus your awareness, and return to the present moment, all skills that transfer directly to seated meditation.

Why Excel Yoga Teaches Mindfulness and Encourages Meditation

Every class at Excel is infused with mindfulness, whether it’s:

  • Breath cues

  • Guided focus

  • Gentle transitions

  • Extended savasana at the end

We believe in holistic wellness, and that includes both movement and stillness.

We also host:

  • Sound baths and meditative events

  • Yin Yoga that blurs the line between stretching and meditation

  • A supportive environment that invites rest, not just “workouts”

So if you’ve struggled to meditate on your own, yoga might be the doorway in.

Final Thoughts: You Might Not Need to Choose—You Might Need Both

Yoga moves the body and calms the mind.
Meditation stills the body and clears the mind.

Together, they support each other, and support you.

At Excel Yoga, you’ll experience both movement and mindfulness in every class. And if you're ready to reconnect with your body and quiet your mind?

Start with our $29 intro offer and experience both practices—your way.

FAQs

Q: Do I have to meditate to do yoga?

Nope! But mindfulness is built into the practice—and many people grow to love it.

Q: Can I do yoga as a form of meditation?

Absolutely. Especially styles like Yin and Slow Flow, which invite stillness and internal focus.

Q: Does Excel Yoga offer seated meditation classes?

While we don’t have formal meditation-only classes, many of our sessions include extended breathwork and guided relaxation that feel meditative.