16 replies to this topic

[jtota]

Hey anyone do yoga as their main form as exercise. Thinking of ditching the beachbody stuff for something different. Just not sure it's enough to lose the 15lbs I wanna lose.

[Fenderbender]

Never hurts to change things up.... I know my body adapts to whatever form of training I do so I periodize my type of training( three weeks strength,three weeks conditioning,three week technique.....) and mix up my routines for constant muscle confusion....

Yoga can be intense so give it a try.... You may want to add in 2 days per week of 20-30 min HIIT cardio if you feel the yoga is not enough.... That will fire up your metabolism!

[Anita20]

It depends on your yoga class-- some are slow and stretchy (Yin, maybe Hatha), and some are aerobic and strengthening sweat-fests (active Vinyasa or flow, and I assume Ashtanga, though I've never done Ashtanga).

I'm doing primarily "active" Vinyasa yoga (switching between level 2 and 3) right now, and I sweat and my muscles shake in (almost) every class. Aside from lots of hiking with the dog, that's my exercise for now.

[lauraska]

As part of my Whole30, I'm also doing a "30 Day Yoga Challenge" where I do some form of yoga every single day for 30 days. I do try to listen to my body, though, so that I do the more intense styles on days when I have more energy. On days when I'm feeling sore or worn out, I might just do a short class or a more relaxed style. I joined www.yogaglo.com to take online classes in a variety of styles and it's worked out very well so far. I also take some live Vinyasa flow and Bikram classes - probably one to two each week. Haven't done that this week, though, because I've been sick so my yoga workouts have been pretty easy. Good luck!

[jtota]

Wow. Thanks everyone for the replies. We set out this New Year with the goal to get "ripped". At 35, we have decided now is absolutely the time to take charge of our health and finally, really truly, get fit. We have pondered Crossfit, done a few P90X workouts, and I love Insanity. But I am finding for some reason that my body is not wanting to do crazy workouts and I am craving something more nurturing. However I don't want to lose the physical conditioning I already have from running etc.
We would like to run the Warrior Dash in April (on my husbands birthday) and the tough mudder in September. Both lofty goals, and counter to what I am wanting to do for exercise at the moment. I am not sure though if I am just wanting to be lazy with my fitness, or if having those 2 goals has maybe scared me into thinking it's all too much . . . or if I just answered my own question. Gosh . . . writing is amazing. It'll be fun to see where this goes now . . .

[Rosieelli]

I took an 8 am yoga class this morning. I hadn't done it in a while and I thank myself each time I do it. I love it My muscles feel great and I feel great afterwards. I'm so looking forward to taking it again next sat. Give it a try. It can be quite challenging too sometimes. Depending on how far you want to take it . Let us know how you like it if you decide to do it.

[Rosieelli]

oh, and by the way, it's not all I'm going to be doing because I too would like to lose some weight. I'm going to take pilates on wed. Zumba for cardio, power walking, and if the gym brings it back, cardio kick. I just have to take it easy because of a herniated disk! So I'll let my body tell me what feels good and what's too much! Yoga, is perfect for that and gets you toned.

[Kaleena]

I do hot yoga and dance and I'm in the best shape of my life. I do want to add in my old Insanity and P90X workouts back in at least once a week though. I miss that hardcore feeling!

[jtota]

Planning on rolling out my yoga mat tomorrow. Looks like there's some great new workouts on yogatoday.com . I've been reading about cortisol and I'm thinking yoga might be a good option as I'm quite sure I have adrenal fatigue issues. I love my crazy workouts but I'm wondering if a month off is not enough. I just finished a 4 week recovery break and feel good, but I was over-trained and I don't wanna go there again. Maybe just some good flow yoga for a few months . . .

[heathera]

jtota, on 04 January 2013 - 04:31 PM, said:

Hey anyone do yoga as their main form as exercise. Thinking of ditching the beachbody stuff for something different. Just not sure it's enough to lose the 15lbs I wanna lose.

Rebecca; have you tried Les Mills Combat?
I was stuck at a plateau for months; but seems like this whole 30 combined with combat is doing it for me, and it is a ton of fun.
I love yoga too...hot yoga (Bikram) is my thing...but I am taking this 60 days to do combat before training to become a Bikram instructor this Spring.

Do you have a coach? I would talk with him/her; or you can message me as well. Best of luck!

[jtota]

No I have not done combat. I looked at it online and it just didn't look like it was for me. I have les mills pump though. My debate however is whether or not I need to stop all the hard core stuff for awhile to decrease my cortisol. I have been doing various programs for 4 years now. I had great results at first and now I am just gaining more and more no matter what program I do.

[MyWar]

If any of you have a Lululemon store near you, they often do a free yoga class one day a week. It's normally a vinyasa flow, but it depends on who's teaching and the teachers rotate every week. It's a nice, cost effective way to get in some sessions.

[jtota]

I have nothing cool near me small town living in the midwest . . .

[Mistie Gleason Cottrill]

Do the yoga, I did a 45 day journey and I have to tell you it is the best I looked and felt EVER. 1 hour in the morning M-W before the kids woke up then Sat and Sun I would try for a 1.5 hour session. Amazing. Funny is I am a triathlete and I work out so so so hard all the time and I never even get close to looking as good as I did when I was just doing yoga. Training for an Ironman right now and am missing my yoga! It makes you also more in tune with your body. I do Vinyasa yoga check out free podcasts on iTunes. Great way to do it at home!

[MyWar]

jtota, on 14 January 2013 - 06:54 PM, said:

I have nothing cool near me small town living in the midwest . . .

Giiiiirl have you seen Yogaglo.com? I haven't signed up yet but their blog is awesome. Around $18/month for yoga videos and a lot of people use them.

[Nicole]

I know you probably got the response you were looking for by now, but I thought I’d add to it.

I’ve done yoga for about 13 years, and consider it to be a very strong form of exercise that is not just about stretching and relaxing. Basically, it is what you make of it, and I recommend trying different studios and different styles until you find the one that is right for you. I have practiced many different styles, and I seem to prefer the stronger forms of flow yoga such as power vinyasa and Astanga. That is what works for me and leaves me feeling amazing. I do not enjoy yin yoga, but I also feel that I get the deep stretches and relaxation from the stronger forms. This is just my preference, and I know plenty of people who prefer yin yoga.

When I’m doing yoga regularly (I have lulls sometimes), my husband calls me Sarah Connor. In other words: you can become very, very strong doing yoga. So if you enjoy it, I say do it!

[jtota]

Thanks everyone !Q