Why do you like yoga?

Mustang_Susie
Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I currently work out three days a week doing an hour of BodyStep followed by an hour of BodyPump.

How would yoga benefit me? Core strength? Flexibility? What else?

Sell it to me! :smile:
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Replies

  • baja572
    baja572 Posts: 94
    relaxation..aww lower stress
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    relaxation..aww lower stress

    Bonus after a stressful shift at work!
    Does it help you sleep better at night?
  • ebr250
    ebr250 Posts: 199 Member
    Whenever I start to hurt in my hips, back, heel or legs I do yoga and I feel so much better the next day. I don't enjoy yoga that much, however, so I end up using it like Tylenol when I should really use it like floss. :ohwell:
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    Whenever I start to hurt in my hips, back, heel or legs I do yoga and I feel so much better the next day. I don't enjoy yoga that much, however, so I end up using it like Tylenol when I should really use it like floss. :ohwell:

    Ha! :bigsmile:
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    Anyone else??
  • cappri
    cappri Posts: 1,089 Member
    I do 5 hours of yoga a week. I like it because it's giving me killer abs and it makes me feel strong and flexible.
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    I hate pure yoga. To me it is insanely boring...which I guess others call "relaxing."

    I do a class called PiYo which is a blend of pilates and yoga in a highly intense cardio setting. I get the benefits of yoga that I want such as flexibility, balance, and endurance without the boredom that I personally feel from yoga.
  • AmazingRed
    AmazingRed Posts: 22 Member
    I'm a yoga junky. I definitely feel like it connects me with my body. I leave class feeling more flexible, more aware of my strength and feeling totally empowered. It's one of the few exercises that every time I do it I feel like I've improved.
    If you're just starting out I suggest you try a few different kinds. Vinyasa classes involve more movement and tend to be less boring for the more active types. Good luck!
  • SCtolulu
    SCtolulu Posts: 154 Member
    I enjoy ashtanga yoga. It focuses on building core strength, upper body strength, and flexibility. I also think all teachers of yoga are not created equal. You need a good one.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    I am shocked that no one has replied with:

    'The pants'.

    More seriously...I've been wanting to get into yoga as a form of stretching...but never have.

    I really should work on that :l.
  • kayemme
    kayemme Posts: 1,782 Member
    i do bikram yoga. it's 90min each session and i go at least 3x a week and try for 4.

    it's extremely challenging. i love that each time i go, i get a little better at the postures. a month ago, i couldn't do any of the standing series. now i can hold them for a couple seconds. concentrate. meditate.

    right afterward, i enjoy a really nice yoga high, then the next day i feel like magic. it centers me, makes me remember that there's little i can't do if i keep at it, and makes me sweat out all the nasty energy of the day.

    i'm so hooked.

    eta: i also hoopdance, so the yoga helps keep me limber to work with my hoop. i do regular stretching yoga in the morning almost every day. i bicycle commute about 12mi /day, 4-5 days a week. the yoga also helps me balance better on my bike and keeps me more alert.
  • matt2442
    matt2442 Posts: 1,259 Member
    core strength, flexibility, strength, balance, calmness of mind. I would recommend some type of flow/vinyasa yoga class to start. They have a lot of movement and aren't as challenging as if you were to go into the backbending/core based/crazy balance poses.

    doyogawithme.com- multi level morning flow. Try it out.
  • elis_mama
    elis_mama Posts: 308 Member
    I've been trying to incorporate yoga into the end of a good workout. Or, if I have time, I do it in the morning before I go to work. It helps me feel a little more centered and lowers my stress level, I think. And, when I do it after a workout, it helps to loosen me up and stretch out after working hard.
  • niaworkstrong
    niaworkstrong Posts: 1
    Yoga works for me because of the portability of the process. . . Have yoga mat . . .will stretch. I get strength (core and general muscle strength), flexibility, a sense of calm AND I sleep much better on a day when I do yoga.
  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    yoga pants
  • lioness803
    lioness803 Posts: 325 Member
    It's relaxing.
    I have a back problem that flares up way less often if I do daily yoga.
    It makes me flexible.
  • CandieVH
    CandieVH Posts: 10
    I do Vinyasa Yoga twice a week. I feel like it is a calm workout but still extremely challenging. I like the flow of Vinyasa and I can really focus on what I am doing and let life go for an hour.

    Also and maybe more important I want to be able to do an amazing yoga pose in front of the Castle at WDW to celebrate how far I have come, I know that's extremely specific lol. Honestly Yoga just makes me feel fit.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    yoga pants

    Dun dun duuunnnnn!
  • mrsmark2010
    mrsmark2010 Posts: 220
    I try to do it a couple times a week (in addition to whatever program I'm doing... beachbody junkie). I really like power yoga and hot yoga/yoga fusion. I love the challenge of getting better and improving my flexibility. Just last week I was able to get in 8 angle pose. I'm looking forward to doing the next challenging pose.

    The heat is very relaxing and I enjoy the challenge. I wish I could say it was so I could meditate and reflect on my inner self, but I'm a super competitive person and must outdo myself every week.

    There are many different types of yoga and you have to figure out what works for you. Its power/ashtanga yoga for me, but everyone has different goals and preferences.
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    i want to like it too, but it's just not happening.
  • Tatiyanya
    Tatiyanya Posts: 255 Member
    flexibility, improves lots of stuff IF YOU KNOW WAT I MEAN cos it idid wonders for my balance and flexibility and ashtanga is a form of full body active meditation so I feel less obliged to go postal on people :3

    Was also only avalible form of semi active excercise when i was 260 lbs, and got tired and asphixating almost if i had to walk 200 meters :)
  • UncleMac
    UncleMac Posts: 13,856 Member
    I do yoga to improve my flexibility and stretch. I've also improved my balance and strength. An unexpected bonus was the reduction in blood pressure. I was in the higher end of normal BP before I started doing yoga and now I'm in the lower end of normal. Not dramatic but every little bit helps!

    Did I mention yoga pants?:wink:
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    So...

    I need to wear a certain type of pants...? :huh:
  • mrsmark2010
    mrsmark2010 Posts: 220
    So...

    I need to wear a certain type of pants...? :huh:

    Sometimes I wear basketball shorts. Sometimes yoga pants, but I sweat a LOT and shorts are more comfy to me. I just want them long enough not to show my rear to the people behind me.
  • Sunny_fit4life
    Sunny_fit4life Posts: 157 Member
    I've always been told that strength & flexibility can have an adverse relationship... so basically yoga can give you that flexibility training to help balance out the strength training you're doing. Personally I love it because it relaxes me and puts me in a good mood... and I just plain enjoy it. It's a simple answer, but honest.
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    So...

    I need to wear a certain type of pants...? :huh:

    Sometimes I wear basketball shorts. Sometimes yoga pants, but I sweat a LOT and shorts are more comfy to me. I just want them long enough not to show my rear to the people behind me.

    No butt shots! :happy:
  • UncleMac
    UncleMac Posts: 13,856 Member
    You don't have to wear yoga pants but I'm told they're very comfortable, being stretchy and skin-tight.

    In the majority of classes that I've attended, the "Lady to Gent" ration is about 10 to 1. Although yoga isn't necessarily a good weight-loss activity (I've heard arguments from both sides on this), there does seem to be a fairly high number of slimmer people in yoga... wearing pants that are basically thick spandex... posing...

    Can you see where I'm going with this?
  • kistockman
    kistockman Posts: 80 Member
    all of the things other said, but I wanted to add that yoga really does make your other exercise much better.

    I returned to dong yoga recently after many years. I knew it would provide strength and flexibility and additional toning, but what surprised me (and probably shouldn't have) was that my regular aerobic and body sculpting/toning is so much better. SO MUCH. For example, I don't know about you, but it usually takes me nearly 20 sit-ups before I really start feeling it deep and in my lower abs. Since adding yoga 2 or 3 times a week, my body is stronger, my form is better so close to every sit-up is a good one.

    I really think adding yoga to your fitness routine will make everything else you do to strengthen your body much better.
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    You don't have to wear yoga pants but I'm told they're very comfortable, being stretchy and skin-tight.

    In the majority of classes that I've attended, the "Lady to Gent" ration is about 10 to 1. Although yoga isn't necessarily a good weight-loss activity (I've heard arguments from both sides on this), there does seem to be a fairly high number of slimmer people in yoga... wearing pants that are basically thick spandex... posing...

    Can you see where I'm going with this?

    What?
    I won't lose weight? :noway:
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    all of the things other said, but I wanted to add that yoga really does make your other exercise much better.

    I returned to dong yoga recently after many years. I knew it would provide strength and flexibility and additional toning, but what surprised me (and probably shouldn't have) was that my regular aerobic and body sculpting/toning is so much better. SO MUCH. For example, I don't know about you, but it usually takes me nearly 20 sit-ups before I really start feeling it deep and in my lower abs. Since adding yoga 2 or 3 times a week, my body is stronger, my form is better so close to every sit-up is a good one.

    I really think adding yoga to your fitness routine will make everything else you do to strengthen your body much better.

    I'm liking this!

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