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Forum Name: Mind-Body Fitness
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Yoga for health 
yoga mom
posted Jan 21, 2008 7:18:15 PMTo All

I've been practicing yoga on and off for a few years and I think I'm ready to get serious about it.  I always try to maintain some sort of fitness regimen, but that usually is limited to cardio and weights.  As I approach my fortieth birthday I'm beginning to notice that my body isn't enjoying weights or cardio as much.  I used to love running, but now I ache at the thought.  Anyway I would like to know if yoga is enough to replace cardio and weights.  I certainly feel wonderful during and after yoga.  As a busy mother of two young children, can yoga alone help me to stay healthy, fit and strong?


Thanks,


Yoga Mom
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Yoga for health 
RenewYourSpirit
posted Jun 16, 2008 4:26:29 PMTo All

That is so great you are ready to get into a real yoga practice!
Yoga is definitely enough to replace cardio & weights.. if you think about it, nature created the perfect weight for you-- your own body!
I would recommend finding some classes that resonate with you, that you can take 3 or 4 times a week- or more if you have time!

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Yoga for health 
Cherre
posted Jun 26, 2008 1:11:01 PMTo All
I guess a lot of people think yoga is just stretching, and therefore not a 'good' workout. For sure, some classes are about stretching and relaxing. But even beginner poses can work up a sweat, tone muscles and keep the weight off. Find a style that works for you!
http://doesabodygood.blogspot.com
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Yoga for health 
March
posted Jul 2, 2008 12:40:29 PMTo All
Yoga has a great menu of options and you might explore them until you find an intensity level that feels right. I teach Yoga to older adults and I remind them that the recommended amount of cardiovascular exercise is 30 minutes per day, 5 days or more per week, stretching every day, and strength training 2-3 times per week. Power or Ashtanga Yoga or Vinyasa ("flow") Yoga keeps you moving and gets the heart pumping and is also big on strength. So it's good for moderate cardio, but if you practice too often, you don't give muscles time to recover and can develop overuse injuries and muscle tension. So a slower practice is good for a rotation. If you're a busy mom, you might need to slow down sometimes! Walking briskly or hilly routes is a good compliment to Yoga for cardio. and will keep life diverse and protect your joints. Apply the basics of Yoga -- maintain mountain pose while walking and attention to  breathing and take the kids if you can. I think you'll find Yoga can keep you as toned (possibly even more) as weights if you make a point to use all of your body. Keep an open mind and good luck.
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