yoga!

hello :)

i'm starting yoga classes next week and was wondering how people find it?

is it really as good as people say and how has it improved peoples bodies, minds etc?

thanks!!

x

is it really as good as people says it is... for what?  This article starts off with a pretty good explanation of what yoga is and isn't good for.

I agree it depends on what your goals are, but disagree with the fundamental premise in the article that "yoga sucks." Or further down in the article where it says that it's bad for your back - my back hasn't felt this good in years.

In my case, I didn't start to get any strength in my legs, shoulders, and upper back until I started power yoga.  I have definition in my arms, and increased enough strength in my legs that my knees don't ache any more.  The article is correct that it has limits, and I believe I've reached that, so that's why I'm looking into beginning weight training.

But don't sell yoga short - it's helped me immensely, my flexibility, strength, and balance have improved, and I feel great afterwards.  I don't recommend it to be the totality of a fitness program, but I think it's a good addition to one.

That article was dumb. Try it for yourself.  It isn't as easy as you would think... you WILL struggle.

There are plenty of articles on the web that are pro or con just about anything.  If I were you I would listen to those people that have actually tried Yoga instead of those people that are biased against it without every having tried it. 

Original Post by dcyounts:

That article was dumb. Try it for yourself.  It isn't as easy as you would think... you WILL struggle.

 What did the article say that you thought was "dumb" or incorrect?

I've done power yoga and my experience pretty much echo'd what the article said, though I couldn't explain it as well as the author did.

"I've done power yoga and my experience pretty much echo'd what the article said, though I couldn't explain it as well as the author did."

What were your goals/expectations going into the Yoga class and in what ways did the class/instructer fall short of your goals?

I wanted to get stronger without putting on muscle (I was a wrestler at the time) and my doctor recommended a power yoga series.  I went out an bought the 3-tape set he recommended.  After finishing any of the hour long tapes I felt like I'd gotten about as good of a workout as the 10 minute warm-ups we did at wrestling practice.

Original Post by floggingsully:

 What did the article say that you thought was "dumb" or incorrect?

I've done power yoga and my experience pretty much echo'd what the article said, though I couldn't explain it as well as the author did.

 Because he analyzes yoga as a replacement for strength training which is NOT what it is meant for.  I mean, for f*** sake.

OF COURSE yoga doesn't burn as many calories as interval training, running, jumprope, swimming, martial arts, etc.  Is yoga classified as a cardio workout?  NO.

OF COURSE yoga isn't going to net you as much muscle gain as resistance training.  Yoga will net you very little muscle gain, but you will develop incredible stabilizer strength and balance you can't get from resistance training.

OF COURSE yoga isn't going to increase your muscle density.  Go kick/punch/elbow/knee a tree 10,000 times.

Yoga was not meant for these purposes so it is idiotic in my opinion for someone to discredit the benefits of it by telling you everything it can't do that IT WASN'T MEANT TO DO in the first place.  That is like saying "don't do resistance training because it doesn't burn as many calories as running."

"Furthermore, what good is it to have all this extra mobility or ROM if you can't stabilize in that range of motion in the first place? Having excessive ROM (in the wrong places) without the strength to stabilize that ROM actually predisposes people to injury. So while yoga does enhance flexibility and mobility, resistance training actually facilitates movement through that range of motion, and provides the dynamic control to allow you to utilize the range of motion safely."

This Tony guy approaches yoga as though people are going to do it and ONLY it.  Everyone who has experience with physical conditioning knows that you can't stay healthy only doing one type of exercise.  It takes a combination of resistance training, cardio/fat burning, diet, stretching, and yes, even yoga, to keep your body healthy.  I could write an identical article arguing that strength training is worthless by making nearly identical remarks about how strength is worthless if you can't move your arms because you're muscle-bound.

Original Post by dcyounts:

 Because he analyzes yoga as a replacement for strength training which is NOT what it is meant for.  I mean, for f*** sake.

OF COURSE yoga doesn't burn as many calories as interval training, running, jumprope, swimming, martial arts, etc.  Is yoga classified as a cardio workout?  NO.

OF COURSE yoga isn't going to net you as much muscle gain as resistance training.  Yoga will net you very little muscle gain, but you will develop incredible stabilizer strength and balance you can't get from resistance training.

OF COURSE yoga isn't going to increase your muscle density.  Go kick/punch/elbow/knee a tree 10,000 times.

The original poster asked if yoga "was as good as everyone says it is", lots of people say yoga is good getting stronger, and "toning up" and slimming down.  The article addresses why yoga isn't very good for these things, I think it answers the OP's question pretty well.

Yoga was not meant for these purposes so it is idiotic in my opinion for someone to discredit the benefits of it by telling you everything it can't do that IT WASN'T MEANT TO DO in the first place.  So, what are the benefits of yoga? flexibility? that was also addressed in the article. That is like saying "don't do resistance training because it doesn't burn as many calories as running."  There's a difference, saying "yoga isn't as good as strength training at increasing strength" is a true statement, saying "resistance traning burns less calories than running" is false.

"Furthermore, what good is it to have all this extra mobility or ROM if you can't stabilize in that range of motion in the first place? Having excessive ROM (in the wrong places) without the strength to stabilize that ROM actually predisposes people to injury. So while yoga does enhance flexibility and mobility, resistance training actually facilitates movement through that range of motion, and provides the dynamic control to allow you to utilize the range of motion safely."

This Tony guy approaches yoga as though people are going to do it and ONLY it.  Everyone who has experience with physical conditioning knows that you can't stay healthy only doing one type of exercise.  It takes a combination of resistance training, cardio/fat burning, diet, stretching, and yes, even yoga, to keep your body healthy.  I could write an identical article arguing that strength training is worthless by making nearly identical remarks about how strength is worthless if you can't move your arms because you're muscle-bound.

 

You don't know what you're talking about... and that's ok, because not everyone understands your body's physiology.  Running does burn more calories than weight-training.  Yoga does build muscle, burn calories, and slim people down... nobody said it was the best in the world though.

To answer the OP:
-It does build muscle, but not as much as strength training and I'm pretty sure nobody ever said it did.  If people think yoga builds as much muscle as lifting weights, they're wrong.
-It does burn calories (a decent amount), but not as many as cardio exercises and I'm pretty sure nobody ever said it burned as many as running either.  If so, they're wrong too.
-It will help you in athletics to a certain degree.  I've been training and competing in submission wrestling (jiu-jitsu) and my increased range of motion has helped me pull off moves I couldn't before.
-It will increase your flexibility greatly which will protect you from injury you might incur from a regiment of ONLY weight training.  I've experienced this first hand.  I suffered a shoulder tear 3 years ago as a result of too much weight and too little flexibility.

You should do yoga once or twice a week while spending the other days weight-training and doing cardio.  If you do yoga alone, you probably won't achieve the results you want.

Original Post by dcyounts:

You don't know what you're talking about... and that's ok, because not everyone understands your body's physiology.  Running does burn more calories than weight-training. 

 Read and learn.

Website blocked by corporation.

I adore yoga.  It has been a godsend for me.  My body is starting to look amazing.  I go to a really serious yoga studio, and the classes really work out your body.  They offer an assortment of classes, in different styles, at different levels.  It's quite challenging.  I also do pilates once or twice a week.

I used to work out at the gym, and I like how my body looks with this new system better.  I HAVE built up muscle, and I have a nice defined lean look, sort of like a dancer.  You should see the muscles I have in my arms now.  I am so proud of this!

I was at my ideal weight already when I started yoga and pilates.  I would probably not have done this alone at the beginning when I was starting to loose weight.  I used to do a lot of cycling classes, running, etc. 

In addition to yoga and pilates, I also still do cardio everyday.  I am out walking all the time, I run, and if the weather sucks I go on my treadmill.  I am quite active.  I would definitly at least try a class if you are interested in yoga.  Most studios will let you try a class for free.  I'd go to a studio that actually gives you a good work out.  They used to offer hatha yoga at my former gym, but it was WAY to easy.  The class was filled with older people, and it was very low key.  Great for relaxing and stretching your muscles, but it didn't do much to keep me in shape.

Original Post by floggingsully:

 Read and learn.

I also find it humorous that you are now arguing about a comparison that has nothing to do with yoga instead of defending that idiot's article.  Changing the subject to something you think you can win an argument over because you know you were wrong about the original topic isn't good strategy : )

floggingsully i'm doing it just do get a bit toned and because i've heard it's relaxing! i don't have weight to lose i just want to tone up :)

thanks for your replies everyone i will definitely give it a try especially after summer 7 said about the dancer look! i've found a local studio that does it i'm sure it will be fun and relaxing even if it doesn't make any difference to my body

thankyouu! x

 

Daisychain6, I would be interested to find out your experience. I am always looking at different fitness options and I think that once I lose more weight I'd like to try yoga as well.

Have a great time!

i'll send a post about it after i do my class!

I took a bunch of yoga classes at university and regardless of what floggingsully says, it does help tone up. Like dcy said though, not as much as lifting weights. I loved my yoga classes. I improved my flexibility a LOT which wasn't even a goal of mine when I started the class. I was toning up all over and have never felt better than when I was taking the classes.

Enjoy and let us know how you find it.

Original Post by floggingsully:

I wanted to get stronger without putting on muscle (I was a wrestler at the time) and my doctor recommended a power yoga series.  I went out an bought the 3-tape set he recommended.  After finishing any of the hour long tapes I felt like I'd gotten about as good of a workout as the 10 minute warm-ups we did at wrestling practice.

 With all due respect, you cannot compare a yoga DVD series with taking classes given by a qualified instructor.  Yoga can be absolutely life changing.  If you are seriously interested in trying yoga, do some research to find qualified teachers in your area and take some classes. 

I am a yoga teacher and can absolutely tell you that your impressions of yoga are inaccurate at best and misleading at worst.  There are as many kinds of yoga as there are goals and reasons for doing it.  I take a one hour power yoga class in Philadelphia that would leave you drenched in sweat with quivering muscles.  It all depends on the style being taught and the instructor doing the teaching.

Please forgive me if I seem a bit harsh in my response -- it's just that your judgment of yoga after such a limited experience really bothered me. 

Namaste -

Original Post by paularuck:

 With all due respect, you cannot compare a yoga DVD series with taking classes given by a qualified instructor why not? if the guy in the DVDs is a qualified instructor what added benefit would I get from him standing there instead of talking though the TV.  Yoga can be absolutely life changing.  If you are seriously interested in trying yoga, do some research to find qualified teachers in your area and take some classes Unless there are any qualified yoga teachers that use resistance training (that can be increased) and/or cardio, I won't waste my time or money. 

I am a yoga teacher and can absolutely tell you that your impressions of yoga are inaccurate at best and misleading at worst What am I wrong about? Yoga can increase strength and weight loss to a VERY limited point and increases flexibility in joints where it does more harm than good.  There are as many kinds of yoga as there are goals and reasons for doing it.  I take a one hour power yoga class in Philadelphia that would leave you drenched in sweat with quivering muscles I've sat in saunas for an hour that left me drench in sweat with quivering muscles, doesn't mean it was a good workout.  It all depends on the style being taught and the instructor doing the teaching.

Please forgive me if I seem a bit harsh in my response -- it's just that your judgment of yoga after such a limited experience really bothered me. Just because someone has limited experience with something doesn't mean they don't have an informed opionion.  My opinion is yoga has extremely limited usefulness in increasing strength or burning calories, do you have an explanation or evidence to show I'm wrong?