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Power Yoga

Maya | Jul 20, 2010 |

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To many men and women yoga is a mind exercise. However, it's a good body exercise as well. Power yoga is a form of cardio-conditioning, a fast paced full body exercise that will have yogis gaining strength and losing pounds at the same time.

It's the Western world's take on the self-guided path towards growth or awakening that originated many centuries ago. It has become a staple in fitness centers around the world, making the exercise of yoga mainstream.

Power yoga has a focus on building flexibility and strength through common postures. Generally, it's a faster paced when compared to other practices, however, is adapted for absolute beginners easily.

Here are some interesting facts about power yoga:

It uses common postures from yoga Ashtange and Bikram (both of these practices offer a vigorous exercise with a progression of motivating postures for all levels)
Vinyasa (breath-synchronized movement) is used in power yoga
Supports the correct form of postures
Requires the postures to be held for long periods of time as well (this helps enhance endurance and flexibility)

Just like all forms of yoga, this one has a lot of positive sides. Here are main benefits of power yoga:

By using the weight of an exercisers body it enhances strength and dynamic flexibility
By maintaining postures for longer periods of time and fast flowing movements it enhances endurance as well as balance and mental clarity
Through the range of movements that elongate and stretch the muscles it enhances flexibility and persistence
Helps with the ability to focus, however, it can be much more motivating when compared to other yoga practices because the focus is on breath-synchronized movement and movement
Being a full body exercise it helps tone up all body parts
Through controlled movement and meditation mental stress and physical discomfort is relieved.
Enhances core muscle strength that helps to improve pose
It helps strengthen joints as well as muscles.

The sports experts are recognizing the benefits athletes can experience from power yoga. It makes them less prone to injury. A lot of basketball players, bicyclists, triathletes, and golf players practice it.

This form of yoga, just like a lot of other types, can be practiced at almost any age since alterations are offered with every posture. This makes it a highly beneficial for of exercise regardless of how long one has practiced. After leaving power yoga class an exerciser will feel more in balance with mind/body/spirit because classes have a focus on integrating all elements of the yoga.