| Yoga is revered for its power to relieve stress, | | | | yoga breathing techniques. Sun Salutations are |
| increase flexibility, and build muscle tone. It is not, | | | | frequently used, but other poses are usually included |
| however, well known for promoting weight loss. So | | | | as well. This is sometimes done in a hot room to |
| you might be surprised to learn that it can actually help | | | | increase sweating. |
| us burn calories. | | | | * Ashtanga yoga - Ashtanga is a complex style of |
| Traditional yoga is not an extremely active pursuit. It | | | | yoga that includes six different series of poses. Each |
| works our muscles, but we rarely break a sweat just | | | | serious is more complex than the previous one, so it is |
| by holding a pose (unless it's really hot in the room). But | | | | important to start at the beginning and work your way |
| the muscle-building effects of yoga do allow us to burn | | | | up. |
| calories more efficiently. So if we participate in a good | | | | * Power yoga - This is an Americanized version of |
| aerobic workout, we will see greater results than we | | | | yoga. It combines faster, more active movements with |
| would if we weren't doing yoga. | | | | traditional yoga breathing techniques. |
| Yoga can also give us the discipline we need to stick | | | | These types of yoga are more likely to increase our |
| to a diet and exercise program. It enhances the | | | | heart rate and work up a sweat than traditional yoga. |
| relationship between the mind and body, giving us the | | | | While they may not give us as much of a workout as |
| motivation to take better care of ourselves. Lack of | | | | aerobics, they combine weight loss and cardiovascular |
| motivation is a frequent problem among those who | | | | benefits with the muscle building and flexibility training of |
| want to lose weight, so this is a very important benefit. | | | | yoga. And for those who do not have the time to |
| New Incarnations of Yoga | | | | participate in two separate workout programs, they |
| Those who want to lose weight solely through yoga | | | | can be great options. |
| might find what they're looking for in non-traditional | | | | Other than being forms of exercise, yoga and |
| yoga classes. There are a number of yoga styles that | | | | aerobics seem to have little in common. But traditional |
| can give us the traditional benefits of yoga and a | | | | yoga can enhance the effects of more intense |
| cardiovascular workout at the same time. These | | | | workouts, and these newly popular styles of yoga can |
| include: | | | | give us the best of both worlds. If other workout |
| * Vinyasa yoga - This type of yoga is based on | | | | routines have left you disappointed, adding or switching |
| movement from one pose to another while practicing | | | | to yoga might be the answer you're looking for. |