Calling all YOGA goers!

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Amanda82691
Amanda82691 Posts: 298 Member
edited January 5 in Fitness and Exercise
What are the actual health benifits of doing yogo? To me it doesn't seem like it would be considered a from of cardio, but would it be? Can you burn a significant amount of calories doing yoga? Whats the deal with yoga?

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  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Carlos, would you get in here please and help this young lady out?
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,789 Member
    Not cardio. Not a significant burn of calories (unless you are prepared to do 3 hours).

    If those are the focus for you, I would suggest running.

    If you are interested in building strength (those some contest this) and flexibility, and having a greater sense balance for your body; relieving stress, being more calm and focused in your mind, then you might find some benefit in yoga. There are other practices that also do this, tai chi for example.

    It all depends what your goals are.
  • pwnderosa
    pwnderosa Posts: 280 Member
    I like yoga...would LOVE to hear some advice on this question from some folks more knowledgeable than myself however... I feel that it works my core and back pretty well, which I like because I have low back spasms/disc problems. I think it does improve balance and body awareness, hopefully helping prevent injuries. That said, I have found other workouts do more for me in terms of building strength and burning calories so I don't do yoga as often as other types of workouts, though I could be missing some of the benefits that a true yogi could enlighten me on? :)
  • Sharonks
    Sharonks Posts: 884 Member
    Cal burn depends on the type you are doing too. Restore type stretching will be lower than Ashtanga/Flow/Power. Somewhere, someone posted a yoga burn calculator since mfp just has Hatha/stretching type.

    The benefits of yoga are increased flexibility, increased balance, increased strength (depending on what you are doing), and a sense of well being. I find it relieves stress.

    Run or swim if your sole point of exercise is to burn cals.

    I miss yoga class, somehow I'm not as motivated at home. My week used to consist of running 3 days a week, weights 2 days, and yoga 2 or 3 days plus walking whenever I had time. I felt this was a great balance. Lately I have been running 3-5 days, walking 3 days, and body weight like once a week. I don't feel like this is as good of a balance but it has to do with time, space, and energy.
  • jfan175
    jfan175 Posts: 812 Member
    All of the benefits mentioned, plus it helps with recovery from your other workouts and works all of the little stabilizer muscles throughout your body that help with balance, posture and form. It also conditions you to breathe effectively.
  • samantha1242
    samantha1242 Posts: 816 Member
    What are the actual health benifits of doing yogo? To me it doesn't seem like it would be considered a from of cardio, but would it be? Can you burn a significant amount of calories doing yoga? Whats the deal with yoga?

    Lots of health benefits both inside and out. I believe this was asked yesterday. Strength, flexibility, increased balance.. I have noticed help with anxiety, depression and a significant change in how I feel day to day. My focus is better, my headaches have decreased and I feel relaxed instead of a stress ball everyday. Many different practices of yoga but the ones I do are not for burning calories and more for working on freeing your mind and focusing on your breath. Maybe there's a yogi on here that can let you know the benefits. But this is what I have gotten out of yoga :)

    Yoga is amazing. End of story.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    Carlos, would you get in here please and help this young lady out?

    Thank you DavPul; my pleasure. (A little in joke there - apparently, I stalk the weighlifters' threads evangelising the virtues of yoga; of course - it is a complete fabrication).

    Hi Amanda.

    There are possibly as many answers and viewpoints to your questions as there are people who love to practise yoga. It tends to give to each individual pretty much what they need (sometimes not exactly what they wanted) to progress, whether that be more flexibility, core strength, balance or any level of mental or spiritual rest, challenge or growth. Wow - that was deep!

    I agree with Yogini Mary - not a significant burn of calories compared to a steady run, but here's where I differ because I believe it can be considered cardio, depending on the style of yoga you are doing. Some are more energetic than others and can place a greater demand on heart and lungs; hence I feel they can be considered cardio. Other styles focus more on alignment or holding the postures and some are more spiritual and internal and not designed to give you a calorific burn.

    Strength is a broad term defined by many. Many would say that Yoga cannot deliver strength gains and I agree, if you want to body build or lift ever-increasing weights - then you are better looking toward weightlifting and there are a good bunch of weight lifters on MFP who love to lift weights and are serious and supportive; most times! However, a steady daily yoga practise will bring you strength gains way above the average person and a greater sense of balance both physically and emotionally.

    For me personally, I have always been attracted to the combination of strength and grace that is exhibited by the dancer, the gymnast,the freerunner (Parkour), Capoeirista, bodyweight exerciser, the acrobat and for me - the Yogi and Yogini.

    The yoga mat is a place for me to find what my body can do physically today what I could not do before, also to celebrate the freedom of a strong healthy body when a lot of my friends of my age are complaining of aches, pains and limited movement. It is an activity I can follow into old age and still feel its benefits. The yoga mat is also a place where I can go within and be better prepared to take on my daily tasks with confidence and strength.

    Do I love yoga? You betcha!
    Have a go - the best way to know if Yoga has anything to offer you is to try it.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,965 Member
    I want to go to a yoga class but I just don't have time. i would do it for the stretch, though, not for a calorie burn.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    I want to go to a yoga class but I just don't have time. i would do it for the stretch, though, not for a calorie burn.

    You Tube? There are loads you can do at home to start you off.
  • knightreader
    knightreader Posts: 813 Member
    i take a hot yoga class. and it burns a ton of calories for me, according to my hrm. however, the reason i started to go was for stress relief. and it worked. and continues to work. having been going for a few months now, i continue to go as it strengthens my core, improves my balance and stretches some seldom used muscles as well as the major ones, all on top of the continual stress relief. i have found my head to be less cluttered and my ability to focus on something has increased, instead of trying to focus on one thing, and having other thoughts pop in to my head.

    i go twice a week and hate when i have to skip it.

    give it a try. an honest try. not just once, but a few times. if you don't like it, don't go anymore.

    good luck.
  • Amberonamission
    Amberonamission Posts: 836 Member
    I sweat so hard doing power yoga today. Soaked a towel right through. If I am having body troubles anywhere, yoga is sure to straighten it right out.
  • BigRich822
    BigRich822 Posts: 681
    I do yoga for the release of stress but I do not count any of it I do on my calories, I only do it one day a week. It really helps with my flexibility and strength as well though!
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