Yoga - how beneficial?

[JammyCandy]

I suppose I’ve always favoured exercise that gets my heart racing. Is it worth continuing with yoga?

Personally yoga for me isn't really about fitness so much as flexibility, time to clear the mind and focus, stretch muscles that I've been working in the gym and so on. I don't see it as exercise, but I do see it as just as important and I wouldn't take it out of my routine. Maybe you could try Pilates if you are looking for something a bit more challenging?

If it helps with stress and makes you feel better then by all means. If you're looking for benefits you get from resistance training or cardio then no yoga won't do much.

I am a long time gym and fitness class person and have also indulged in crossfit in my time. Honestly nothing has toned me up like yoga. Provided you are doing a decent vinyasa or rocket style class, it is absolutely competes with any other class for resistance exercise. You probably should add some sort of hiit too to balance, but no exercise gives you everything imo, you need to mix and match to get the balance right

regular ashtanga practice will transform your body- but what are you looking to achieve?

It really depends what type you do. A strong vinyasa class will tone you up. I lost about a stone and have kept it off for the last 7 years and 2 pregnancies by doing hot vinyasa yoga twice a week.

You will feel it in your core and you will get great abdominals. It's more subtle than weights or a super - pumped look but the right class will shape you up.