YOGA

jmzz1
jmzz1 Posts: 670 Member
edited 8:20AM in Fitness and Exercise
Just wanted to know does yoga (not power yoga but normal yoga) help in toning of arms , abs , lower body.?..... what is the correct way of doing it?
Require advice since I a m planning to shift to yoga during reset period.....

Replies

  • jmzz1
    jmzz1 Posts: 670 Member
    Any advice plz
  • kiddoc88
    kiddoc88 Posts: 244 Member
    yoga is a great all around practice. Holding the poses works strength, settling into them works flexibility, and many help balance as well. I also find it helps focus and relax me
  • kiddoc88
    kiddoc88 Posts: 244 Member
    A good instructor will keep an eye on the room and look for form and may correct your pose or suggest modifications
  • ak_honda
    ak_honda Posts: 60 Member
    I find doing Yoga (or pilates) helps with me with my posture and looking taller. taller me = more confident = people think I am losing faster than I really am ;-)
  • jmzz1
    jmzz1 Posts: 670 Member
    I know it's great as t for flexibility but i want to know whether I can tone my body with it....
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    It does work muscles - holding the positions for a period of time is putting the muscles under static pressure (I'm sure that's not the technical term, but you know what I mean!).

    Will you be going to a class with an instructor?
  • jmzz1
    jmzz1 Posts: 670 Member
    It does work muscles - holding the positions for a period of time is putting the muscles under static pressure (I'm sure that's not the technical term, but you know what I mean!).

    Will you be going to a class with an instructor?
    Yes I would be.... the class over there are designed in such a way that u will have to do breathing around 10-15 times for 10 sets each is thanks the correct way?
  • jmzz1
    jmzz1 Posts: 670 Member
    It does work muscles - holding the positions for a period of time is putting the muscles under static pressure (I'm sure that's not the technical term, but you know what I mean!).

    Will you be going to a class with an instructor?
    Yes I would be.... the class over there are designed in such a way that u will have to do breathing around 10-15 times for 10 sets each is thanks the correct way?
  • jmzz1
    jmzz1 Posts: 670 Member
    Bump
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,789 Member
    I know it's great as t for flexibility but i want to know whether I can tone my body with it....

    Yes, as long as it is challenging for you.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    What do you mean by "toning"? When people use that word, they generally mean building muscle, or reducing fat to reveal the muscle underneath. You lose fat by creating a calorie deficit. Yoga can help you create a calorie deficit, but it's less effective than other forms of exercise. Yoga does work your muscle, but again, it's not the most effective exercise out there for actually increasing muscle mass. The poses where you are bearing your own body weight (forearm balances for example) will be best, but your muscles will soon get used to that weight, and if you really want to build muscle, you need to be lifting heavy.

    Don't get me wrong - I love yoga and I think it's fantastic for balance and flexibility, and ok for building strength. If you want to build muscle size though, there are better ways, and if you want to lose fat, concentrate on creating a moderate calorie deficit with your diet (and exercise if you want). Beyond those two things (building muscle and losing fat), "toning" doesn't really mean anything.
  • VeganZombie13
    VeganZombie13 Posts: 297
    I do yoga just to stretch my sore muscle out, from all the working out I do. I NEED YOGA lol
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    Jester is right. Yoga is great for you physically and great for you mentally (and spiritually, if you delve into that aspect of it). But, it is not the most rigorous, demanding form of exercise.
  • FitBeto
    FitBeto Posts: 2,121 Member
    I know it's great as t for flexibility but i want to know whether I can tone my body with it....

    Yes, as long as it is challenging for you.

    Almost every single pose is endless, meaning you can go deeper then what you are shown or instructed. My advice is dont take something meant to give you peace and meditation and use it for exercise. Yeah reap the benefits of doing it, but find time to meditate while doing it, you'll be better all over, not just your body!
  • djtessatessa
    djtessatessa Posts: 54 Member
    YES! especially with more practice, because you understand the postures more and can do them with proper alignment.

    My arms, legs and butt are super fit and its pretty much all from yoga (not to mention abs!) I do hot yoga around 3-4 times a week, Bike in the summer and cross country ski once or twice a week (plus play tennis when my knees cooperate) - but i think most of my tone definitely is from the yoga.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    Jester is right. Yoga is great for you physically and great for you mentally (and spiritually, if you delve into that aspect of it). But, it is not the most rigorous, demanding form of exercise.

    It depends on how rigorous and or demanding you want it to be - yoga has many paths.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Jester is right. Yoga is great for you physically and great for you mentally (and spiritually, if you delve into that aspect of it). But, it is not the most rigorous, demanding form of exercise.

    It depends on how rigorous and or demanding you want it to be - yoga has many paths.
    Didn't sound too rigorous a form in the OP.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    Jester is right. Yoga is great for you physically and great for you mentally (and spiritually, if you delve into that aspect of it). But, it is not the most rigorous, demanding form of exercise.

    It depends on how rigorous and or demanding you want it to be - yoga has many paths.
    Didn't sound too rigorous a form in the OP.

    That's true. I stand corrected - for this post.

    My comments stand for yoga in general though and in reply to tufel specifically. Yoga is sometimes seen as the easy option and although there are many classes out there who are not really pushing the edge, there are still a small number of teachers who want to see their students progress. Dig around and find someone who can lead you toward greater knowledge and ability.

    To the OP: Yoga will help to maintain strength you already have and develop strength you may have potential for - so long as the style and level of yoga you are doing is challenging enough for the level of fitness you currently have in order to keep progressing. You may find Yoga challenging where you have found other strength disciplines relatively easy, especially in gaining core stability and isometric strength.

    I also agree with FitBeto on this thread - yoga is not limited to physical growth - there is a spiritual side to it as well which is equally good for your health so do take time to absorb the whole picture.

    edit: various
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