Weightlifting vs yoga
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Yogi_Carl
Posts: 1,906 Member
I found this article interesting. An ex-lifter's view on how lifting compromised his flexibility and speaks of many lifters who say they wished they'd done yoga instead!
The article is about developing the bodyweight Pistol Squat, but is interesting from a Yoga angle also.
http://maxwellsc.com/blog.cfm?blogID=60
The article is about developing the bodyweight Pistol Squat, but is interesting from a Yoga angle also.
http://maxwellsc.com/blog.cfm?blogID=60
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Thanks for sharing. I read the article and watched the videos. I can see incorporating these into my weekly practice.0
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I watched some of the videos too. Reminded me of the foot stuff we do in yoga sometimes.
I will have to disagree with the following statement, "A primary cause of limited hip mobility is excessive fat storage in region of your gut." While I think of people who are very thin that have very open hips, I can think of those that (ah-hem) have a little more around the belly and also have open hips, and those that are thin and tight as well. Though I will admit to my giggly bits getting in the way sometimes.
I will have to try the "bottom range of the pistol". My father in law is really into fitness - he asked me if I could do a pistol once (I now know it's name, he didn't name it) - so now, of course I have to figure out if I can do it.0 -
I can think of those that (ah-hem) have a little more around the belly and also have open hips, and those that are thin and tight as well. Though I will admit to my giggly bits getting in the way sometimes.
I am (currently) one of those with giggly bits and have the most open hips in my class of folks relatively less encumbered with giggly bits. The time they get in the way is in those tightly rotated and closed postures like Ardha Matsyendrasana. I used to be able to bind my arms in this pose and I am sure it is the giggle section which is preventing me from closing this posture; working on it.
edit: there must be a yoga name for the Pistol Squat. It looks like some variation of something.0 -
He mentioned Marichyasana - so it's the balancing version without a bind or twist. It's also similar, in my brain, to eka hasta bhujangasana0
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So I just tried the pistol from the squat and was able to do it. I could also go down, but I held my big toe. I could go up again though. There's a physical as well as mental block to getting back up. Need more flexibility in my ankles as well.0
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aah - holding the big toe. That helped me in Tree pose extended positions in keeping balance. Thank you, I'll try it with the Pistol Squat tonight. No Yoga class tonight so I get to work at home.0
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I should have said "I could NOT get back up" - wishful thinking Freudian slip?
Tree pose extended positions? Hand to big toe pose standing?0 -
I have to say - the more I look for supplemental strnegthening exercises to help in yoga, the more I do yoga!0
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I have to say - the more I look for supplemental strnegthening exercises to help in yoga, the more I do yoga!
Same! For my goals, I'm finding I don't need anything else. I don't have much weight to lose, and yoga alone is making me so much stronger and more flexible. The idea of lifting heavy is becoming less and less interesting.0 -
True - to those who say Yoga does nothing for strength, I like to offer them this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLi93EIHx5o
and then ask them to think again! :laugh:0 -
True - to those who say Yoga does nothing for strength, I like to offer them this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLi93EIHx5o
and then ask them to think again! :laugh:
Awesome video! I wish I was advanced enough to do the moves, lol. I'm afraid I'm still mastering the basics like downward facing dog.0 -
this one legged squat is a typical strength move for most athetic programs (as stated in the article.) I have to say that holding a posture for 60 seconds builds ust as much strength as moving through a posture.
As for gaining muscle mass, only intense and progressive resistance training will increase the size of muscle fibers.
Like any resistance training, including that in yoga, joint health is a factor of proper movement and joint stability. Over stretching or under stretching a joint is just as bad as completely compressing a joint. Compressing the knee joint is the no. 1 factor as to why so many people can not squat.
Teach a proper squat and anyone can practice it.0 -
I found this article interesting. An ex-lifter's view on how lifting compromised his flexibility and speaks of many lifters who say they wished they'd done yoga instead!
The article is about developing the bodyweight Pistol Squat, but is interesting from a Yoga angle also.
http://maxwellsc.com/blog.cfm?blogID=60
I think resistance training is necessary, no matter if it is body weight or additional external weight. Since all the stances in yoga are historically documented to martial arts and gymnastics this one legged squat posture is an excellent and common addition to most yoga practitioners who have mastered full chair and leg up postures but still need the added resistance to increase strength via bodyweight.
What the article failed to mention is how common it is for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to injure themselves in any resistance training they take up because they are never coached (or just fail to find out) how to protect a joint, keep a healthy range of motion, and the importance of healthy joint mobility.
The article clearly tells the reader that the author failed in his understanding of what is proper range of motion and strength. He then tells us how he is now healthy enough to do advanced strength moves with good knee range of motion. Something everyone should be striving for.
Again, isometric muscle contractions (holding a posture) for 60 seconds is an effective and proven way to increase strength. Posture is key to ensure proper and healthy joint alignment. I know plenty of yoga practitioners who try chair and squat postures who collapse in the knee joints.
Adding a more intense posture without understanding how to protect the joint for stability and safe range of motion is the main reason people fail in any resistance training whether yoga or bodybuilding.0
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