I understand the benefits of yoga, seeing how I’m a Lululemon ambassador. If you have the time to participle in yoga by all means go for it. Below are a few benefits yoga provides.
Meditation and therapeutic
For most individuals, including myself, it is hard to sit still and shut off your mind for even short periods of time. Try to be 100% present and in tune with your body. Yoga is a great way for people to clear their thoughts and relax. This can be an excellent stress relief but only if you are willing to go all in and shut off your mind from negative thoughts.
Control your breathing
If you can find a way to control your breathing in sports and other activities, it can make you become more efficient and relaxed. You will learn to stay calm in stressful situations when others panic. Yoga can help teach you patience and recovery.
Finding the right teacher and practice
In any class, you need to find the right format and instructor that works for you. Leave your ego at the door so you don’t over stretch and injure yourself. Know what you want to get out of yoga (stretching, recovery, strength endurance, weight loss) and find the class to help you reach your goals. Remember you become what you do.
Recovery
At Pat’s Gym we have many recovery techniques we use because of the intense training we do. Yoga can be a great way to recover from imbalances, sore muscles, tight muscles and nagging injuries. However, recovery is different for everyone. Since I never do yoga, a class might make me sore or tired, so it would not be considered recovery. People who practice yoga often can take advantage of the recovery benefit.
Better than nothing
For someone who does not participate in working out other than yoga, it is better than nothing for burning calories. Be realistic though and understand that just because you sweat a lot doesn’t correlate with burning calories or fat loss. Do your research and homework to know what you are getting out of the current yoga class you are attending.
Every sport or repetitive motion produces its own consequences when practiced over a long timeline. At the gym, we usually know what the individuals postural and muscular imbalances are based on what they have done in their lifetime. We apply the solutions in every individuals program and if we can’t fix the issue we have no problem sending them to someone who can. If yoga is the answer than we send them to yoga. Just remember that yoga is like any physical activity so you need to be aware of the behavioral and physical dangers. Educate yourself on any exercise related activity so you do not get injured because the problem is usually never the activity itself. Don’t allow a group or fad to choose a teacher or coach for you that has a great deal of influence with out doing your research. Learn to be patient and listen to your body rather than follow an arbitrary schedule. Time is all about making time. Self-control, mindfulness and serenity can be learned through yoga but they also can easily be missed doing yoga when we put more importance on having-done and writing about it than actual doing it.
Find what motivates you and holds you accountable to high standards. If that is yoga great, if that is not yoga find it.
