Yoga for Increased Strength

When most people hear Yoga they think flexibility with a hippie vibe, woo woo music and bodies twisting into crazy shapes! But modern Yoga can be a whole different experience in getting,

*Increased flexibility

*Improved balance

*Better Mind/body connection and focus

*Relaxation

When you hear the term strength training, you probably think of the gym with heavyweight equipment, loud pulsing music, lots of huff and puff, big muscles and shiny skin! Granted, both these environments can be a little intimidating, but I WANT flexibility and I NEED strength.

Experts say some form of strength training twice a week will keep the metabolism running efficiently, maintain lean muscle and minimise bone loss and all the other yuk things that can increase biological aging...so can you get all of the above in one workout?in a nutshell YES!

When you do Yoga poses, you are putting your body into positions that you ultimately have to support with your muscles..you are using your body as the weight, you are lifting weights! Because you are limited by your body weight, you won’t get bulky and may not grow more muscle but you will get stronger with increased muscle tone and definition.

Making positive changes to your physique is progressive.It takes time, increasing skill and patience. If you are taking the Yoga route there are so many other benefits you can pick up along the journey.

*Yoga increases muscle endurance because you typically hold any given pose for a period of time

and repeat it several times during the class.

*Many of the standing poses require core activation which will improve posture.

*Increased leg strength and improved balance will result from one-legged poses

*Plank poses increase upper-body and ab strength

*Inversion poses flex lots of smaller muscles to maintain stability.

If you are want to try a Yoga class to get these benefits, trial a few that are challenging enough to make your muscles a little sore the following day. Find a teacher that you connect with to motivate and inspire you.

If you feel like a real Gumby in class there are heaps of online teaching sites to get some secret pose practice in and have you feeling more confident. Flow style Hatha or Vinyasa classes are generally more beneficial for strength where as other styles are more for restoration and relaxation.

Thanks for reading..Go gently and love the “Low carb Life”