Did you know yoga can help you become stronger?
The answer is 'yes!', loud and clear, as you read it. There's yoga training that is specifically structured to help you work on your strength, providing you with all the tools you need to improve it day by day.
We're used to thinking of weightlifting sessions at gyms as the best way of getting stronger. Although these are doubtlessly effective, there are other ways of working your whole body in order to improve your strength. Yoga for strength training is the perfect example.
How does yoga strength training work?
The yoga approach is more holistic than that of typical gym routines. While certain postures engage more of one muscle or another, the whole body is always involved. This is what differentiates yoga from other forms of training; when lifting weights or using a particular equipment in the gym, only specific areas are targeted.
In yoga, we target the harmonious use and development of the body's muscles. Asanas (postures) tone and provide lightness and firmness to the body.
Five yoga postures to work on your strength
These are five yoga postures that will help you improve your strength:
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Chaturanga
Chaturanga is ideal for acquiring strength in the arms, and also for strengthening the wrists. However, yoga exercises the body as a whole, so, in addition to strengthening the arms, you'll also be working the abdomen, especially if you perform the asana without variations.
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Navasana
Developing abdominal strength is essential. The muscles in the area keep the body strong, which'll benefit you in performing more complex asanas, help you perform everyday tasks more easily, make it easier to maintain your balance, and even improve your posture.
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Virabhadrasana
This posture helps to strengthen the legs in particular. The arm extension seems simple enough, but maintaining it over time can be a challenge for those who don’t have upper limb strength.
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Phalakasana
You may think that this exercise is aimed at gaining strength only in the arms. However, Phalakasana is excellent for acquiring abdominal strength, something fundamental to work on as it plays a very important role in support and balance, among other things.
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Adho Mukha Svanasana
This posture works the entire upper body. In addition to the arms, the shoulders are strengthened, and also the muscles responsible for increasing lung capacity – the position of the body promotes the opening of the chest. The legs also benefit, as the posture helps to tone the legs, especially the calf muscles.
Can I do yoga strength training?
Yoga is a discipline that can be adopted by a broad spectrum of people – beginners, enthusiasts, and passionate yogis alike. However, as with any physical practice, there're always some precautions to take into account. If you have knee problems, high or low blood pressure, neck problems, are pregnant or have hernia(s), it's recommended to seek a doctor's advice before doing some of these yoga for strength postures.
Do you want to know more?
Ohmayoga is committed to all those who seek in yoga a way of changing their lives, whether it's a just-discovered discipline or an all-time passion of yours. You'll find not only yoga for strength training but also a series of informative pieces of content, and different types of online yoga courses with certificate, carefully put together by certified gurus from Rishikesh. Our academy is here to bring you closer to your goal. Get in touch with us with all your queries, and subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss out on any exciting news, videos, promotions, and a lot more!
