In addition to cardio and weight training, is yoga really beneficial? and if so, how exactly? I do the basic stretches but I have been told that by stretching, it would really help in the shaping of my body. Thanks.
In addition to cardio and weight training, is yoga really beneficial? and if so, how exactly? I do the basic stretches but I have been told that by stretching, it would really help in the shaping of my body. Thanks.
Yes, yoga is a great addition to your workouts because in doing so, your increasing your flexibility, strength, relaxing, and toning your body all at the same time. There are different types of yoga, such as hatha(more relaxed), power(more toning related), etc. I love yoga, it increases my strength and flexibility as well as getting those kinks out.
thank you so much for your reply. would you suggest joining a class or would a yoga tape be just as effective? thanks again!
Well, it depends on how much time that you have. I have a pretty busy life so going to a class wouldn't suit me at the time. If you could go to a class, then I would do that. I bought tapes, I especially like Rodney Yee, and Wai Lana.
I agree, yoga is awesome. I find it perfect for maintaining and increasing my flexibility, and also for the gentle toning. There is a move called chatarunga and a sort of reverse push up that has especially helped to improve my arm and upper body strength. I also love the "mystical" side of yoga, which helps me to destress, detoxify negative energy, and improve my overall mood and perspective. It also helps me to be more accepting of my body and view it as something beautiful. I've never taken a class, only videos at home. One of my favorite instructors is Rainbeau Mars. She just came out with two new videos:
Yoga for Beauty, Dusk and Dawn. As I have strayed from yoga in the past, I really enjoyed these and they have helped to motivate me again. Hope this helps!
I've been doing Bikram yoga for about 9 months now. It's done in a hot room so it takes some getting used to though. My body totally changed and my friend even calls my butt my yoga booty!! I go almost everyday, and it has done wonders for my strength and flexibility. I couldn't even touch my toes when I started and now I'm doing things I could never imagine. I still have a long way to go though. Any yoga is fabulous for you, I highly suggest it!!!
I use to teach Yoga classes. I also feel it is great not only for your flexibility but also for the mind. Yoga strengthens body and mind.
I also lived in India and there they do not judge a person by their chronological age but how straight and strong their back is! If you think about it that makes a lot fo sense.
Thanks again for the advice. I did some research on the bikram yoga, and there is a studio five minutes from where I work, so I will see if I can join. For those of you that do the yoga tapes, have you noticed a difference in the shape of your body, or just the flexibility? Thanks again.
I'd be interested to hear how you liked Bikram yoga. As for the tapes.....for me I'm just a bit too lazy to do the tapes. I have a Pilates DVD and did it a few times, and that has already worn off. I have no problems going to the yoga studio though, go figure. Good luck and drink lots of H20
birkam yoga is great! i used to go all the time but they closed the studio near me...now there are none in my area. just make sure you start super hydrating yourself. i wasnt much of a water drinker then, & i'd just load up on the day of class but afterwards, i'd get these terrible headaches. you really sweat like crazy in those classes. when i started drinking more water everyday, the headaches stopped. good luck! i hope you enjoy it!!
just make sure you start super hydrating yourself. i wasnt much of a water drinker then, & i'd just load up on the day of class but afterwards, i'd get these terrible headaches. you really sweat like crazy in those classes. when i started drinking more water everyday, the headaches stopped. good luck! i hope you enjoy it!! 
