Whats up with yoga??

stretching
poses
building strength (yoga can be very demanding)
meditation / mindfulness /eastern philosophy is a benefit if you learn yoga at a hindu/Buddhist center but isn't necessary for the physical part of practicing yoga
you're body will feel better overall if you have back/muscle pains/issues

I love yoga and wish I could do it more. For me, I don't view it as a workout really, but more of a mind/body meditation thing. Sure, there is great for your body and incorporates strength, balance and flexibility, but it's so much more than that. When I leave a good yoga class, I feel centered and peaceful and revitalized.

stretching
poses
building strength (yoga can be very demanding)
meditation / mindfulness /eastern philosophy is a benefit if you learn yoga at a hindu/Buddhist center but isn't necessary for the physical part of practicing yoga
you're body will feel better overall if you have back/muscle pains/issues

As a dude I can tell you that it is really challenging. I go to a studio from time to time or do a routine from a video at home and 10 min. into a session I'm already sweating, by the end of a 60 minute routine my body is shaking trying to keep its weight up.

My primary benefits are flexibility and strengthening muscles a lot of the balance muscles I don't directly train at the gym.

I started doing astanga yoga like three months ago, and i've got a lot of good results from the practice. My flexibility has improved from board stiff to almost flexible (now i can grab my feet easily with my hands with my legs extended). My attitude towards work and life I've noticed has become more secure and relaxed. I have more strenght in my arms and legs but not more noticeable muscle.

At first you do a small part of something called 'primary series' which is a series of postures (asanas) combined with a specific breathing technique and eye direction. The first week I couldn't make most of the asanas as i got tired easily, like when you make repetitions to failure with weights, but in a couple of weeks i managed to make it through an entire class, so it's a matter of patience and dedication.

And I've learned that you don't have to train hard in yoga or strain your body to achieve improvement, the postures has to be steady and relaxed, focusing on the breathing and the direction of the eyes. The rest comes naturally in time.

If you only had 30-60 minutes / day, it's not the best way to burn calories if that's your primary goal.

It's great at developing core strength and flexibility. I think it has its place in a workout. It will never get 'easy' if you keep pushing yourself.

And if you're interested in learning eastern philosophy -- which as an Indian I'm biased toward -- there's general benefits to learning how to calm your mind and be less stressed about things -- I agree with the prior commenter -- take the yoga class at a Buddhist or hindu temple / center and you'll get exposed to that stuff as well. You might get exposed to some religious stuff, but it's possible to separate the philosophical stuff from the religious stuff.

I would ask for a description of the class to find out what method (or methods) of yoga is going to be used and ask the instructor what benefits they feel you can get from it.

Absolutely. There are many different styles.

yoga is also good for releasing tension and relieving stress.
yoga helps you accept and appreciate yourself and others around you.
my only regret at practicing yoga is i wish i had started sooner.