Is yoga a good workout?

GTOgirl1969
GTOgirl1969 Posts: 2,527 Member
edited September 19 in Fitness and Exercise
I just discovered that FitTV is one of the channels I get! They show different yoga programs on there all the time, and I figure that's a good way to get a good workout without the expense of taking classes.
Do any of you practice yoga, and can you tell me a little more about it?
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Replies

  • GTOgirl1969
    GTOgirl1969 Posts: 2,527 Member
    I just discovered that FitTV is one of the channels I get! They show different yoga programs on there all the time, and I figure that's a good way to get a good workout without the expense of taking classes.
    Do any of you practice yoga, and can you tell me a little more about it?
  • kerrilucko
    kerrilucko Posts: 3,852 Member
    Yoga is really good for flexibility. It is also very very calming. It doesn't burn many calories though, and it does about as much for toning muscles as any other stretching does.
  • kleimola
    kleimola Posts: 210 Member
    It is the only exercise class at the gym I take religously! I love yoga. It not only works the body but relaxes the mind as well. My yoga hour goes by so fast, I don't feel like I ahve done much until the next day and you can feel it everywhere. I do know if you don't do it right you won't feel it so make sure you ahve a good instructor to remind you what to do.
  • kleimola
    kleimola Posts: 210 Member
    1 Hour of Hatha Yoga burns 268 calories.
  • kleimola
    kleimola Posts: 210 Member
    1 Hour of Hatha Yoga burns 268 calories.
    sorry, actually 285
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    It's not an aerobic exercise, but you will find you get sweaty and tired all the same! It's about increasing flexibility and muscle endurance. For me, it's a great leg and arm workout, plus abs (depending on the day and the class I take). I love yoga. It helps me to wind down for one workout, to stretch and give my body the soothing it needs.
  • kerrilucko
    kerrilucko Posts: 3,852 Member
    1 Hour of Hatha Yoga burns 268 calories.

    I just checked too. For someone my weight (170lbs), 60 minutes of Hatha Yoga burns about 193cals, compare that to 60 minutes of leisurely walking: 231cals burned.

    But like I said, it is great for the mind, and great for flexibility.
  • kleimola
    kleimola Posts: 210 Member
    1 Hour of Hatha Yoga burns 268 calories.

    I just checked too. For someone my weight (170lbs), 60 minutes of Hatha Yoga burns about 193cals, compare that to 60 minutes of leisurely walking: 231cals burned.

    But like I said, it is great for the mind, and great for flexibility.

    Yes I m a lot bigger so I guess I would burn more. You can always type in Yoga under the exercise sectiona dn it will tell you how much you can burn doing it.
  • GTOgirl1969
    GTOgirl1969 Posts: 2,527 Member
    You can always type in Yoga under the exercise sectiona dn it will tell you how much you can burn doing it.

    Did that already...thanks guys:flowerforyou:
  • heartshapdworld
    heartshapdworld Posts: 323 Member
    I love yoga-I take it at my gym every Monday. It makes me feel really strong-more so than strength training. Plus, I love how flexible I have become!
  • carak2000
    carak2000 Posts: 72
    I LOVE yoga. It really depends on the type of yoga you do as far as burning calories. I have worn my HRM during an hour vinyasa class and burned over 500 calories. Maybe you should try like power yoga also if you want more calorie burn. But in general, yoga is such a wonderful form of exercise.
  • lessertess
    lessertess Posts: 855 Member
    :heart: Yep, add me as a fan. Rather or not it's good depends on your measurement system. If you are looking to burn maximum calories, yoga is not the exercise that you're looking for. It will burn calories, but not anywhere near as many as a cardio workout or even a brisk walk.

    If you are looking for core strength, toning, flexibility, balance and some strength training (trust me standing strength poses are tough) then it's a great workout. I take a class about three times a week. I especially enjoy it after a cardio or weight lifting session as it helps stretch out the muscles and calm my mind and body.
  • pmkelly409
    pmkelly409 Posts: 1,646 Member
    Big fan of the Yoga here too!! Great for strength, abs, flexibility, control, core work - just a great release from all the chaos of life!!

    Very strongly recommend you try - I only do it once a week and I have noticed a difference in my balance in just a short time. I can do dancer and tree poses now without effort.

    Have fun!
  • pmkelly409
    pmkelly409 Posts: 1,646 Member
    oh btw - what is everyone's favorite yoga pose?

    I am a runner, so I love the pigeon pose.
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    i-duz-yoga-ta-relax.jpg

    Hope that works... can't see it from work, stinkin' internet filters
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    oh btw - what is everyone's favorite yoga pose?

    I am a runner, so I love the pigeon pose.




    I love tree
    Home%20page%201%20winter%20package.jpg


    I love this one, which is King Dancer (???)
    Sharon%206.jpg


    Triangle always feels nice
    bigtriangle.jpg


    Pigeon, although I can't get nearly the full extension
    yoga-pose.jpg


    I love seated side stretches
    Yoga_pose2.jpg


    And the arm reaching shoulder stretching stuff
    yoga_pose_cow_face_gomukhasana_b.jpg
  • pmkelly409
    pmkelly409 Posts: 1,646 Member
    225054344

    Gotta love a man in uniform doin' yoga! Too bad his name is George!

    697126448
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,788 Member
    oh btw - what is everyone's favorite yoga pose?

    I am a runner, so I love the pigeon pose.

    Couldn't see the King Dancer picture. True dancer/king dancer/ lord of the dance pose has one hand up over the shoulder holding on to one foot and the other out in line with it's own shoulder. One hard pose, I'll tell you. Most people do it with the arm holding the foot straight out.

    Mine are:
    I find the most peace in:
    triangle, half moon, and down dog

    like to practice going towards:
    dancer
    scorpion
    hand bound triangle
    backbend (have a picture if you click on me)

    Hardest for me:
    side angle (why I decided to lose weight - belly in the way!)
    warrior 1
    half boat
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,788 Member
    Oh, and GTO - it can be a good workout - which is pretty much what people here are saying. Give a few classes a try before discarding it. Some personalities fit different styles better.
  • truckgrl106
    truckgrl106 Posts: 16
    Love Yoga...especially HOT YOGA which kicks my butt big time and is between 500 - 600 calories. Next day I feel like I have been hit by a Mack truck. But it is all good and doesn't kill my knees like running.
  • Fitness_Chick
    Fitness_Chick Posts: 6,648 Member
    bump :flowerforyou:
  • Crystal_Cherry
    Crystal_Cherry Posts: 92
    i donno why a group of ppl say its not for burning cals.. and others say its a great workout

    i was thinking if yaga burns 285 cals / 60 min.. can we just do 1 hour morning yoga and not any other exercise:smokin:
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,788 Member
    i donno why a group of ppl say its not for burning cals.. and others say its a great workout

    i was thinking if yaga burns 285 cals / 60 min.. can we just do 1 hour morning yoga and not any other exercise:smokin:

    I think they mean calories/hour. I usually burn 700-800 calories a day, so if I just did yoga, I would have to do almost 4 hours. I don't think anyone here thinks it's a bad choice - it just shouldn't be the only exercise.
  • kerrilucko
    kerrilucko Posts: 3,852 Member
    i donno why a group of ppl say its not for burning cals.. and others say its a great workout

    i was thinking if yaga burns 285 cals / 60 min.. can we just do 1 hour morning yoga and not any other exercise:smokin:

    I'm definitely not saying it isn't good excercise. Actually, I think the opposite, I think its great. But calorie-wise, it's not burning much. 60 mins won't burn 285 for everyone, it depends on your weight. For me it'd only burn about 195, which isn't much for an hour of excercise. I do think, though, that yoga is good in other ways. I burn 2-600 cals on an average day with excercise so yoga just won't do it all for me. I agree with the above mention of Hot Yoga, it does burn more. But you need to take a class for that, with the proper facilities and proper supervision. :flowerforyou:
  • charliesgold
    charliesgold Posts: 235 Member
    I just started yoga thanks to encouragement from my girlfriend (Lauryn who posted above), it's been great for my back because I have horrible back pain, but i'm doing the yoga for back strength sessions so they're lower key and focus only on back workouts so they burn less calories than regular yoga classes but I will say that they're amazing for stretching and building strength.
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    I'm really wanting to try Bikram yoga (hot yoga).

    Can anyone provide any info on it? Your experiences?
  • soup78
    soup78 Posts: 667 Member
    I just discovered that FitTV is one of the channels I get! They show different yoga programs on there all the time, and I figure that's a good way to get a good workout without the expense of taking classes.
    Do any of you practice yoga, and can you tell me a little more about it?

    I loooooove yoga! i actually did fitTv 's namaste yoga yesterday, one of the hardest I've found too. I think it was titled Dove, back and hip flexiblity - my hips are weak, so this is my personal favorite. The only thing that bothers me with that is the commercials. As long as you continue during the breaks it's okay. I do break a sweat and it definetely has made me more flexible. I love how peaceful it is.

    Maybe you could check out your local library to rent some dvd's and find one that suits you. :flowerforyou:
  • Fitness_Chick
    Fitness_Chick Posts: 6,648 Member
    bump
  • TheGoblinRoad
    TheGoblinRoad Posts: 835 Member
    Yoga's a spiritual exercise to prepare the body and mind. Yoga is union. :)

    So we should ask our higher power, "hey! Am I burning some calories, too?"

    Yes, I do yoga--I have this Rodney Yee Yoga for Athletes (and I'm not an athlete, so it kicks me halfway across the room. Yeah.)
  • lotusfromthemud
    lotusfromthemud Posts: 5,335 Member
    I'm really wanting to try Bikram yoga (hot yoga).

    Can anyone provide any info on it? Your experiences?

    Bikram is really challenging. I've recently become sort of an addict, though. . .so here's the story as impartially as I can muster. (warning: this might get long)

    Bikram is controversial, both as a form and a guy. He's rich, and he got rich off of his yoga series. An excellent film if you can catch it is called "Yoga, Inc."

    The series is strictly regimented. It's the same class every time, no matter where you go, right down to the "dialogue" which is a script that all teachers use. It's hot. Really hot, and this heat will kick you in the tenders the first time you go. After a while, though, at least for me, the heat is the most important factor. The series itself is challenging, but there are "stages" to the postures, so you work up to the most full version of the poses. There are lots of one-legged balancing postures, and it is a definite toning workout.

    Let me know if you have other specific questions.:flowerforyou:
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