new to yoga

running/aerobics (the firm) are usually my only forms of workout but i've been wanting to try yoga so i tivoed a yoga program on fittv yesterday.

i did it today and while it was very relaxing, i just didnt feel like it was much of a workout. when i run or do the firm i sweat a ton but during the yoga i didnt even feel like i was burning calories. i've heard a lot of people say what a great work out yoga is so im just wondering what im missing? also anyone who does it-- has yoga really helped you loose weight/tone your body?

welllllllll ~ yoga should not make you sweat, with the noted exception of Bikram Yoga where the ambient temperature of the room is increased to 40 degrees.

the sweat has little to do with the poses though.

Ashtanga Yoga is a fast yoga where you may experience an elevated pulse - but no real sweat. Neither of the aforementioned Yoga are really for the beginner - unless you like to get frustrated with ventures early on and give up quickly.

I suggest you learn about yoga. Keep practising! The moves are great for increasing flexibility, decreasing stress, digestive ease, and all around well-being.

The stretches and poses are great for a cool down after weight lifting too~

namaste

Yoga isn't really cardio exercise.  It's a different exercise philosophy.  Yes, it can strengthen and tone and make you sweat and increase your flexibility, but it takes a lot of groundwork to get to that point.  Some of the more challenging yoga poses are more like resistance training - arm balances, for example.

But don't look to it as a way to burn tons of calories, it's not designed to do that.

It's really great for flexibility and mental balance, so it complements any training regime - but unless you live and breathe Ashtanga as a lifestyle you're not going to be able to rely on yoga alone.

 For most people who aren't SkinnYogi it's not going to be enough exercise by itself, but it's a fabulous complement to whatever else you're doing.

Original Post by melkor:

It's really great for flexibility and mental balance, so it complements any training regime - but unless you live and breathe Ashtanga as a lifestyle you're not going to be able to rely on yoga alone.

For most people who aren't SkinnYogi it's not going to be enough exercise by itself, but it's a fabulous complement to whatever else you're doing.

*smooch to Melkor. lol He is right though- I do Vinyasa flow (a branch off of Ashtanga, if you will.) 7 days a week. HOWEVER I also own a treadmill because it is a well-known fact that many yogis don't get enough cardio. What you may have done yesterday is Hatha Yoga (hah-tah) which is more about uniting and balancing within the body. Sorry I'm going yoga-geek on you ;D. I just get excited to talk about it!

I definitely suggest going to a studio so that a teacher can instruct you on the correct alignment. Many places offer discounts to students or they have 'donation classes' where you just pay what you want. I know that I was doing a lot of poses incorrectly before I started going to a studio regularly, and even before I got certified. Remember- Yoga doesn't hurt people. People doing yoga incorrectly hurts people. :D.

i practice hot hatha yoga 5x a week and i love it! contrary to popular belief yoga can provide you with strength training and cardio- you get out of it what you put in. i began practicing bikram yoga, which is an excellent beginner program. then one of the instructors broke away from bikram and opened his own studio. he has mixed up the bikram series with some other hatha poses and it is the best work out i've ever experienced!!!

my recommendation for you is to go to a studio to practice. when i was new to yoga, i found that practicing at home was confusing and frustrating. there is no substitute for having an instructor watch you move in and out of poses to ensure that you are doing them correctly and they can also provide you modifications for poses that your body may not be ready for. the bikram website lists studios all over the country and the world. i prefer the hot yoga over the other yoga simply because your muscles are warmed throughout the practice providing you with more flexibility.

good luck!

Hi Kelsey:

I teach yoga and would encourage you to follow the wonderful advice that you've already been given to seek out a studio with qualified instructors to practice.  Yoga is a wonderful way to connect the mind, body and spirit, and while you may start out looking more for physical benefits (of which there are too many to list), folks often find themselves practicing more for the mind and spiritual benefits yoga has to offer.  The more physically demanding types of yoga can produce a sweat, but it's not the same as the sweat you'll work up in a heavy cardio session (unless you are practicing hot yoga, or Bikram).  You can definitely get a stronger and more flexible body doing yoga, but it's going to be a different kind of strength than you'll get from weight training.  I often say that I practice yoga to improve my strength training (by keeping my joints supple, flexible and my muscles strong) and I strength train to enhance my yoga practice by developing enough muscle strength and endurance to practice poses which might otherwise be too difficult.  They complement each other.  Even in a vigorous class, you won't get much in the way of cardiovascular benefits, so you'll need to supplement with some form of cardio as well.  There is room in every life for a little yoga!

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions -- I love yoga and am always happy to share with those who want to know more about it.

Welcome, and Namaste -

 

I am a certified 200-hr Yoga Alliance instructor. Here is my 2 cents...

There are 8 "limbs" in yoga. Hatha yoga is just ONE limb and refers to ANY yoga where you do asana (or poses). So, ashtanga, Bikram, anasura, power, flow, even Yin or restorative yoga IS Hatha yoga! You can practice yoga by living a vegetarian life style, by meditating, doing pranayama (breathing exercises), chanting, etc. and NEVER do an asana (or physical exercise).

Vinyasa refers to moving with the breath. For example, inhale, lift your arms up, exhale, lower your arms. Obviously, in class it gets more complicated. Many instructors have been taught incorrectly and think there is "A vinyasa"--a sun salutation between each asana (be careful of the weekend certification instructors!)

Typical "gyms" will offer a more vigorous yoga practice and call it Power yoga or vinyasa or flow or Level 2 etc. Each gym may call it something else AND each instructor may do the class differently!!! VERY confusing.

Yoga studios will typically offer more variety or styles and be a bit more "spiritual" and may include chanting, candles, incense, quotes, stories, and more props.

I suggest starting out in a beginner class for at least a couple of weeks to learn the basic poses (child's pose, down dog, up dog, tree, sun salutation, plank, etc) so you don't get hurt in a more difficult class or want to give up. Then try a bunch of classes until you find one that is right for you! Like Kelsey says, find the right instructor. Hopefully you will find an instructor that works with your personality and helps you get the most out of your class. A good instructor can make all of the difference. One of my students was in another class and broke her toe, another injurred her shoulder. Yoga is NOT for the wimpy:)

Unless I am teaching a yin or restorative class--I sweat!! Plank pose, if done properly, uses MORE core muscles than any sit-up or crunch!! Dolphin is the BEST to strength the upper back. Bear, stretches the feet and toes and works the core.  

Just a note about DVD's... Some are better than others. However, I do NOT recommend them for beginners. It is too hard to get into the poses correctly on your own and you will pick up bad habits and possibly injure yourself or not get the results you want. Take 8-10 classes and then if you are a fast learner, a DVD might work out okay. Check out your Y or local community college. Some gyms allow you to join for JUST the yoga or pilates classes. Take a few classes so you know what you like and if the studio is a good fit before buying a long term commitment. You can also check out Yoga Alliance for a list of certified instructors and gyms and find one in your area--or when you are going on vacation!!

Good luck and please email me directly if you have more questions!!