Everyone Should Try Yoga and All Yoga Practitioners Should Try Other Forms of Exercise

Yoga as a fitness practice is more popular than ever. I myself am a big fan of yoga and combine several elements of it in my own training. I even plan to became a certified instructor in the near future. However, I can't seat back and hear several yoga practitioners say that "yoga is a complete form of training and that it is all you need". Well, let me give you a little information about the things that yoga does not do for you:

1. No power development: power requires speed of motion to be developed, yoga is based on slow, controlled actions that promote static flexibility, balance and isometric strength. Ashtanga yoga (power yoga) therefore does not develop power it develops isometric strength and static flexibility. Power is lost at higher rates than strength as we age so it is wise to add some power development to ensure greater fitness.

2. Limited strength development: it comes a point where the body needs external loads higher than body weight to develop strength. Particularly the development of maximal strength is not developed through yoga.

3. Dynamic flexibility or mobility: while yoga increases the range of motion on each joint (ROM), the lack of movement in different directions does not provide for an effective development of dynamic flexibility.

4.No acceleration-deceleration training: for those who are looking to become more athletic, there is a need to learn to quickly change directions. Yoga does not provide for this necessary athletic component. Even is the goal is general fitness, everyone can benefit from acceleration-deceleration training to avoid injuries from simple daily activities such as jumping over a puddle of mud.

5. Limited cardiovascular training: yoga practitioners have a low VO2 max compared to swimmers, runners, cyclists and other endurance athletes. In order to create a dramatic increase in mithocondrial count and capillary density we must tax the cardiovascular system at intensities and durations higher than traditional yoga practices.

In conclusion, I would encourage everyone who does not practice yoga to give it a try, especially if you are in need for flexibility or balance training. It is also a great way to center your body and mind. I will also recommend that yoga practitioners expand their training to include resistance and endurance training. The body needs different stimulus to be a properly trained and develop as a fine tuned machine that will ensure fewer injuries and a true development of holistic fitness.

Turn on, tune in and work out!
Luis Bracamonte