yoga

[foodaddict24]

Im sure someone has asked this before, but does anyone know if yoga can help weight loss? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

[ladyinred]

Re: yoga

I don't know much about yoga, but my dh recently started doing it and he says his muscles hurt, so I assume it's good for building strength. It depends on what kind of yoga you are doing too. Madonna does some kind of yoga that burns a gazillion calories a minute. That's too advanced for most of us. I would think it's also calming and maybe helps with peace of mind so you don't obsess about food so much.

I don't know that it's a major fat-burner like doing cardio or lifting weights, but I think it's a good form of exercise anyway.

Does that help at all? Someone who knows more about yoga will probably be along shortly.

[sadie147]

Re: yoga

I've done yoga, and can say that it definately is much harder than it looks, and is an excellent workout. Like LIR says most yoga is not a cardio exercise (there is a faster paced yoga, i think ashtanga? ) but the poses are great for strength and flexibiltiy and toning. I haven't done it in quite some time..i should actually start again

[foodaddict24]

Re: yoga

thank you ladies!!!

[not2late]

Re: yoga

It's not cardio, but I work up a sweat doing it. Depending on the postures you do, you can tone your muscles, increasing your strength, I actually feel my muscles working more during my yoga than I do when I work with free weights. It's also great for building your flexibility and balance, which helps you to do exercises like speed walking or running.

[boonie stomper]

Re: yoga

Can someone post some useful information on how to do the moves? I've never tried yoga, but would be interested in giving it a try, if can do it without expense.

[julirama723]

Re: yoga

Yoga is not a cardio exercise, but one for muscle strength, stability, and flexibility. It's great to add to your week if you already do cardio and weight training. A good fitness program includes these three elements. Pilates is also similar to yoga in the fact that it is not a cardio exercise (though I sweat when I do it) but one that improves balance, core muscles, and flexibility. Yoga burns about 200 calories per hour usually, unless it's ashtanga, which burns like...800.

[julirama723]

Re: yoga

Boonie---

As for the moves, the best thing to do would be to take a class (don't be intimidated!) because a certified instructor will be able to see if your form is correct, etc. Yoga, though it is gentle, can injure you if something is done incorrectly or too fast. My advice is to take a class, and if classes aren't available, rent a dvd--lots of video stores have exercise videos. That way you can try out different instructors before you make a bigger investment, like buying a DVD set.

There are many different flows such as warrior poses, sun salutations, etc, and many different individual poses, but it is hard to describe them in words--it's better to see a person do it.

[not2late]

Re: yoga

I started with a DVD called "Yoga for the Rest of Us". It was a modified yoga program, in the sense that the poses were modified by allowing you to use a chair for support. Yeah, that sounds wimpy but it was nice to learn the basics with a support. After that I moved onto the Yoga Deck to add poses to the Yoga For The Rest of Us routine. Oh and about 2 weeks into it, I didn't need a chair anymore.

I find yoga to be really good for me...pilates hurts my back too much in part because I have a chronic back problem from a car accident.

When I'm in a hurry, I do a set of sun salutations and that revvs me up.

[boonie stomper]

Re: yoga

I'm definately going to check out a DVD. Funny thing - I always thought of yoga as people sitting crosslegged perfectly straight-backed, with hands together and elbows out, chanting OMMMMM.... LOL Thanks for the great info!

[not2late]

Re: yoga

I had the same impression, boonie. There is a cool-down relaxation period after the work out and you can use that relaxation technique anytime to relax. But the work out itself can be challenging!

My advice is to only go as far as your muscles will let you go. Even if you think you can stretch more don't, you can get seriously injured if you push too hard.

[Horsenpuggy]

Re: yoga

Try BODY FLOW it is a great work out! My sister teaches it a Golds Gym and let me tell you it IS a work out! I sweat ALL over the place and feel the burn. Its a good burn tho!!!!
I have a bad back and it helps so much. If my back hurts and i go to class it isnt hurting when i am done!!!!

[sadie147]

Re: yoga

I love the dvd's from Gaiam: http://www.gaiam.com/retail/3/BeginnersYogathey have 2 instructors, Rodney Yee and Suzanne Deason. I think they both do fantastic workouts..and they have a great variety of different dvd's to choose from. I got mine at costco. The one I started out with was 'Yoga for Weighloss'. I really liked it and as a beginner was able to follow it. They do also have beginner ones as well.

Re 'Yoga People': I didn't do yoga for the longest time becaus I had a coworker/friend that was really into it...so much so she went to a yoga retreat in Arizona. She came home she wasn't as 'into' yoga as before she left..apparently half the classes, both men and women, would do the classes..IN THE NUDE! Naked yoga poses..not good! just hearing that put me off LOL. i did get over it.

[believe]

Re: yoga

Ohh Ick! Nekid Yoga! Oddly enough, I just had a (fully clothed) Yoga class tonight at the YMCA. I've been doing Yoga twice a week since June of this year. I love it so far! I think one of the important things about Yoga is not so much that it's a good muscular work out, but that it's good for your insides - the stuff you really can't see. All the twists and stretches supposedly help detox your organs and muscle fibers. I look at the whole hour as a gift to myself physically, spiritually, and mentally. Try out a class - you just might really like it!