Yoga + Strength Training:
At 50, I recognized the need for more strength in my body, so I pursued certification and completed training through NASM. Now, I integrate strength and resistance training alongside yoga, understanding the importance of challenging the body. This approach fosters change, even at the cellular level. Adding strength training to yoga enhances the practice in several ways:
Improved Muscle Tone and Stability: Strength training builds muscle, which improves body stability and helps maintain proper alignment in yoga poses, reducing strain on joints and ligaments.
Injury Prevention: Increased muscle strength supports the body’s framework, helping prevent injuries in challenging poses and providing a stable foundation for deeper stretches and holds.
Enhanced Core Strength: A stronger core aids in balance and control, making it easier to hold poses and transition smoothly, especially in advanced yoga sequences.
Boosted Endurance: Strength training helps increase muscular endurance, allowing practitioners to hold poses longer, sustain challenging sequences, and improve overall stamina.
Balanced Body Composition: Combining yoga with strength training can lead to lean muscle development, supporting a balanced body composition and enhancing functional fitness.
Empowered Mindset: Strength training fosters a sense of empowerment and resilience, building confidence both on and off the mat, as practitioners feel stronger and more capable in their practice.
Together, yoga and strength training create a holistic, balanced approach that nurtures both flexibility and strength, benefiting both the physical and mental aspects of wellness.