Yoga verdict?

clafairy1984 · August 2015

I do gym classes 5-6 days a week, including yoga, but compared to the other classes I do, I find yoga dull. Just wondering whether it's beneficial enough in my weight loss journey to keep with it or drop it. Does it actually do anything ie tone, strengthen etc, or is it more about mind and relaxation? Basically, is it worth my time, or should I stick with cardio and weights?

LivingtheLeanDream · August 2015

If you don't enjoy doing something you'll not stick with it is my experience...yes the yoga is great for building strength etc but perhaps you should try something else that you would really like?

How about Pop Pilates? similar but more fun IMO

htimpaired · August 2015

I do yoga regularly for the flexibility part of it more-so than toning. I view it as injury prevention.

mitch16 · August 2015

What kind of yoga are you doing? Maybe try a different class or a different instructor?

I am a runner, but I do yoga at least twice a week. I prefer flow classes, but will attend hatha or vinyasa if I need to. Personally I find it helps me stretch my overused running muscles, and build core and arm strength that I don't get from running. Mindful breathing helps my running, too--especially in races (fast paces) and on hot days. I find yoga also helps me calm my mind after a busy day of multitasking/juggling career and family.

hekla90 · August 2015

Yoga to me is different from other exercise in that it's a practice, I really would never do yoga to lose weight. The concept doesn't make sense to me in that regard.

If you hate it you're likely to miss out on the other And if you don't think it strengthens your body... Well I don't know what kind of yoga you are doing but the yoga classes I have taken ficus on balance, strength, and stretching. We work in inversions and hand stands which require a lot of control, strength, and balance. Additionally, I lift weights, I do cardio (running/cycling), pole, and yoga and I can't find a single activity in which yoga hasn't helped me do better in other areas. But if you hate it pick something else. Yoga isn't for everyone, you don't have to do it.

AnnPT77 · August 2015

At a point distant past (when I was in college, back before electricity and cars

), I had a consistent daily yoga practice, and felt that it helped me lose weight . . . but not in the conventional way. That is, it wasn't a matter of calories burned, it was more about body awareness. It made me better notice the ways in which excess weight felt kinda yucky physically, how certain junk foods made me feel groggy and heavy instead of energized and happy, etc. That said, it's a great way to increase flexibility for use in other contexts, and some types of yoga will definitely increase strength as well.

ASKyle · August 2015

Honestly, don't do something you don't like. Invest that time and energy into a workout that you enjoy.

Kimo159 · August 2015

If you're looking at yoga solely on the basis of weight loss then there are probably better things to do. Classes that get your heart rate up (think cardio kickboxing) will help you burn more calories thus increasing your deficit and helping you lose weight faster. I agree with pretty much every poster above in that yoga has many benefits and some of those benefits may contribute to weight loss overall (through better performance of other activities or body awareness) but if you don't like it, don't do it. Ultimately you need to do something you'll stick to. It's also possible that you may like another style of yoga. I've been to yoga classes that are utterly boring and not challenging at all, but a vinyasa flow or power yoga class is challenging for me and I love it.

Good luck on your journey!

Yoga verdict?

Replies

Categories