My yoga teacher has started a strength training/yoga hybrid which she calls “ yoga strong.” She incorporates weights in our yoga class. I feel like it is “ killing” SEVERAL birds with one stone !! In one class she incorporates weights, balance and flexibility. I am 65 and I love having all these key components to my fitness all rolled into one fun class!
I agree- yoga can absolutely be a strength training form of exercise (mine is as well) but no a lot of yoga classes are more relaxation and mobility focused and in the popular conception it is all lumped under that umbrella. Hard to convey the difference adequately!
Carry a couple of dumbbells when walking. Start with 5 pounds in each hand. Add weight as you're comfortable. Great core strengthening exercise. Known as farmer's carry
I belonged to a gym in my 40s and it was ok for classes like step aerobics and spin cycling. The atmosphere is not appealing now in my 60s. For my bones I walk with a 12lb weighted vest 3-4 times a week, plus some jumping jacks and resistance training (sans vest). All this being said- I love yoga and want to get back into it. I found a paper from the NIH describing a study from 2015 where specific yoga moves were assigned and the participants tested for bone loss vs gain over a period of years. The results were not outstanding, but still favorable. There are yoga proponents that say, given the right moves and poses, yoga will certainly improve bone health and of course, balance. As with most health topics, more research would help, but without a lot of money to be gained from big Rx, funding is limited.
An excellent system for building muscle and community is Orange Theory classes. I need the structure of classes and friendships to get me going. They offer 50 Strength classes, a wonderful way to lift and start your strength training. Come to Orangetheory Tenleytown and join me! Never too late to start! I promise Dunkin Donuts after
My yoga teacher has started a strength training/yoga hybrid which she calls “ yoga strong.” She incorporates weights in our yoga class. I feel like it is “ killing” SEVERAL birds with one stone !! In one class she incorporates weights, balance and flexibility. I am 65 and I love having all these key components to my fitness all rolled into one fun class!
We only use body weight in my Iyengar yoga class but all these resistance-training and balance recommendations can be met with yoga.
I agree- yoga can absolutely be a strength training form of exercise (mine is as well) but no a lot of yoga classes are more relaxation and mobility focused and in the popular conception it is all lumped under that umbrella. Hard to convey the difference adequately!
Carry a couple of dumbbells when walking. Start with 5 pounds in each hand. Add weight as you're comfortable. Great core strengthening exercise. Known as farmer's carry
I belonged to a gym in my 40s and it was ok for classes like step aerobics and spin cycling. The atmosphere is not appealing now in my 60s. For my bones I walk with a 12lb weighted vest 3-4 times a week, plus some jumping jacks and resistance training (sans vest). All this being said- I love yoga and want to get back into it. I found a paper from the NIH describing a study from 2015 where specific yoga moves were assigned and the participants tested for bone loss vs gain over a period of years. The results were not outstanding, but still favorable. There are yoga proponents that say, given the right moves and poses, yoga will certainly improve bone health and of course, balance. As with most health topics, more research would help, but without a lot of money to be gained from big Rx, funding is limited.
Thanks for sharing this!
An excellent system for building muscle and community is Orange Theory classes. I need the structure of classes and friendships to get me going. They offer 50 Strength classes, a wonderful way to lift and start your strength training. Come to Orangetheory Tenleytown and join me! Never too late to start! I promise Dunkin Donuts after