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Mindfulness off the Mat list)
You’ve probably already figured out that yoga is an extremely valuable
activity, and really, personal experience is everything when it comes time
to understanding the ultimate effect a given exercise will have on you.
Nonetheless, the question often comes up regarding what yoga brings to the
big fitness picture. To further confuse matters, yoga’s upsurge in
popularity and media attention has brought to light some rather exaggerated
claims as to yoga’s already far-reaching potentials; you may have even heard
them: “Yoga is everything! You’ll never have to do aerobics or any other
kind of exercise again!” The truth is, while I center my own fitness program
around a strong core of yoga, yoga won’t satisfy each and every element that
comprises a complete exercise program. Its primary shortcoming is that it is
does not constitute cardiovascular exercise. This is important, because
there are potential benefits unique to cardiovascular—a.k.a.
“aerobic”—exercise, just as there are potential benefits exclusive to yoga.
Among them: increased caloric output (read: easier weight management) and
improved cardiopulmonary conditioning (read: your heart and lungs function
increase their endurance and overall functioning efficiency). Now, while it
is true that certain types of “power” yoga can dramatically increase one’s
energy output, the nature of the exercise is actually “anaerobic,” not
aerobic. The funny part about this is that you need not resort to dramatic
lengths in order to adequately augment your yoga practice; a simple walking
program is often all that is needed. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t
want to contemplate the total elimination of my outdoor walks….I consider
them sacred to my sanity! Õ
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