Yoga *IS* strength training.

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  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    It is debateable as to whether that would strictly be considered strength training or conditioning

    Far less debateable is the fact that getting upset about the classification of it on this website indicates you are not getting the full relaxation benefits of yoga.

    Since this thread was resurrected to page 7, I decided to shamelessly quote my post from page 1.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Noob, I'm fine with that, because your post was right on point and basically should have ended the thread. Who logs vinyasas by number of reps?
  • BenderFitness
    BenderFitness Posts: 349
    I think that would depend on the person.
    Pushups are not really strength training for most guys, but new exercisers and many women even in decent shape probably can't do more than sets of 5 full range of motion pushups. Same for one-legged squats and holding your body weight on one arm.

    Seriously??? A woman that is decently in shape can't do more than sets of 5 full range pushups???? Are you kidding me????

    ...i know! really? i just did 20 'real' pushups earlier! oh, but ya know what? i also do yoga!

    Most yogis can do numerous one legged pistol squats in a row.

    i wouldn't go as far as to say 'most' yogis.

    I teach yoga and I can do numerous one legged pistol squats in a row. I have also done up to 45 real pushups in a row (including more difficult variations) and I could have done more. I do primarily body weight exercises, and I would classify them as a combination of cardiovascular and strength training. I agree with another poster who said building strength and "getting jacked" are two different things.

    http://www.benderfitness.com/2011/11/tough-guy-fat-burner.html

    For this workout I had a friend of mine who is a body builder join me. We did pistol squats, several types of pushups, burpees, and many other exercises. There is a youtube video of the workout. This video is from before I had to change the name of my blog. Now it is actually www.benderfitness.com I think I have gotten stronger since filming this video, and I attribute it to all of the body weight strength training I have been doing.
  • InvidiaXII
    InvidiaXII Posts: 315 Member
    It is debateable as to whether that would strictly be considered strength training or conditioning

    Far less debateable is the fact that getting upset about the classification of it on this website indicates you are not getting the full relaxation benefits of yoga.

    Lmao. Sorry, this is a great response :laugh:
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    I think that would depend on the person.
    Pushups are not really strength training for most guys, but new exercisers and many women even in decent shape probably can't do more than sets of 5 full range of motion pushups. Same for one-legged squats and holding your body weight on one arm.

    Seriously??? A woman that is decently in shape can't do more than sets of 5 full range pushups???? Are you kidding me????

    ...i know! really? i just did 20 'real' pushups earlier! oh, but ya know what? i also do yoga!

    Most yogis can do numerous one legged pistol squats in a row.

    i wouldn't go as far as to say 'most' yogis.

    I'm going to have to agree here. Pistol squats are very challlenging and they take a lot of work and leg strength to accomplish. I'd say a 'few' advanced yogis, but certainly not 'most'
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    Yeah, sorry I guess I'm just a little biased because I have some friends that are advanced yogis. I've seen them support themselves on one hand in contortionist moves I did not know were humanly possible. Yoga is something that can be dialed down to be open to all levels and abilities and to support people to recover from injury and then also dialed up to crazy levels. And it's true that yoga does not result in big muscles, just very strong, compact ones. It's just a different goal for a different purpose. And also, I don't care how mfp records it. I don't take any aspects of mfp very seriously. Counting calories is just a hobby. I calculated my own calorie goals taking my LBM into account. Personally I like to alternate yoga with weightlifting days (or I do yoga first then lift weights afterwards). I usually only find myself on these message boards when another mfp friend instigates me either directly or indirectly. I do weightlifting recreationally, just for personal fitness reasons and because it's fun. But, yoga actually helps me professionally as a way to improve my dance training and it is incredibly fun. Both weightlifting and yoga benefit my sex life, just each in different ways. My husband likes my muscle definition, but also my flexibility combined with the endurance needed to maintain it.

    I guess everyone has probably already seen this video, but it's worth a look if not. The whole movies looks like it will be great. Arthur's Story from disability to doing things most people can't: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOSdRjUfF_Q&feature=channel&list=UL
  • Danflex
    Danflex Posts: 14
    It is normal to be able to do 5 one legged (pistol squats)? I tried to do them. I can't even do one. Not sure if it is more related to lack of lower body flexibility or leg strength.
  • nealcrz
    nealcrz Posts: 2
    Yoga is a mixed training activity, you can sit down all day to meditate or build strength. I actually like yoga not for meditating but to do the tough exercises for building strength and flexibility.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    It is normal to be able to do 5 one legged (pistol squats)? I tried to do them. I can't even do one. Not sure if it is more related to lack of lower body flexibility or leg strength.

    No, that is not an easy thing to do. The other people were correct, it's only something that advanced yoga practitioners or dancers can do. They are very difficult. I can't do them anymore because I have knee injuries, so don't worry about not being able to do them (that is normal). It takes work and practice. They are a very advanced move.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I like yoga for the muscular endurance, the body weight training, the flexibility, the way it improves my dance training. I also appreciate the relaxation and stress reduction which is very helpful to me, so I do love doing the 5 or 10 minute meditation at the end of the class (I also meditate on my own daily and find it increases mental acuity in many ways). But, I do not do it for the spiritual reasons in a metaphysical sense. I am an atheist and there are a lot of advanced yogis that are also atheists. I think yoga is open to that. I like Yoga Brains. That is a group of atheist yogis. http://www.yogabrains.org/

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