Combining yoga and weight training can have mental, emotional and physical benefits. If you've been thinking about taking a yoga class, go right ahead. You need to learn to do yoga correctly to get maximum benefits.
According to a study commissioned by the American College of Sports Medicine, combining yoga and weight training helps you with anxiety, tension, energy and fatigue. Weight training helped most with producing positive moods. Yoga provided the most benefits with anxiety reduction and calmness. Of course, weight training also provides other physical benefits such as improved strength, bone density and metabolic health.
According to Nicholas DiNubile, MD, author of FrameWork: Your 7-Step Program for Healthy Muscles, Bones, and Joints, "if all you're looking to do is build muscle, weight training is the more practical approach." "However, yoga can be just as effective as weights when it comes to developing a stronger, more impressive physique --especially when the two are used together."
DiNubile also states, "many yoga poses require nothing more than using your own bodyweight as resistance.” "Knowing a few essential poses you can take on the road can allow you to continue to exercise anywhere, no matter where you end up."
For most of us, the right side and left side of the body are not evenly balanced. If you are right handed, the right side of your body is probably stronger than the left. Your weaker side has to “catch up” to your stronger side. Yoga will help you balance out both sides (front and back also) in strength and flexibility. Doing yoga once or twice a week will make a huge difference by balancing your body and your mind.
Yoga also helps you concentrate on using proper form when doing exercises. You are headed for injuries if you continue to exercise with incorrect form, whether it be yoga or weight training. You don’t have to just lift weights to get fit and strong. Work in some yoga exercises with your weight training. This will give you a better overall fitness level.
I am for any activity that promotes health and fitness. If you're looking for ways to enhance your fitness and well-being, a discipline such as yoga is a great alternative. Its important to properly learn yoga (both mental and physical) to reap the benefits.
Yoga also has strength benefits, especially in how it improves core strength. There are many different disciplines of yoga so it is important to find the particular one that best suits you.
Quiet your mind with yoga and you will see more progress in all areas of your fitness, both physically and mentally. Combining yoga with weight training opens other areas of your brain and your body will see the improvements. You will also find that yoga can help you do more repetitions with your weight training.
Do you combine yoga and weight training? If so, let us know how it has helped you!
Mark Dilworth, Certified Personal Trainer
Her Fitness Hut http://herfitnesshut.com