Is yoga enough?

[goodbeets]

I am wondering if yoga is enough for exercise? Do most people who practice yoga also do another high impact activity to maintain fitness?

[Apasaraw]

I walk to get the breath going, but yoga does that as well...my friend who is a yoga teacher walks and hikes in addition to her practice and that's about it.
Occassionally she will do light weights but not often...it's just for variety and to strengthen her wrists for her practice.

[Raw Mom]

I am a yoga teacher, raw for five months, lost over 20 lbs.

I walked up a hill for 45 minutes for the first few months. I think it's important to do cardio. Heart rises in yoga, but not for a significant amount of time. Yoga's great for stretching and strengthening. If you get the right teacher. So get out and move a little. Even if for 15 minutes a day.

[goodbeets]

Thanks, folks. I had started doing a high-impact aerobis which worked but was so.... uncalm and centering. I wish I could youga for 3 hours a day!! I'll have to wait till the kids move out or start an ashram with me!

[emily]

There is ashtanga yoga, which I think is sort of a "power yoga" and strengthens and raises the heart rate. I tried it and it was good, but tiring! Definitely more cardiovascular than other forms of yoga! I think it's good to get the heart exercising as well, through cardiovascular, but there are various ways to do that that don't shake you up so much.

[rawpesto]

Yes, Ashtanga yoga is better cardio...I tend to do that or some sort of flow/vinyasa every day.
I also work out 3x per week, I have only added the workouts about 6 months ago but I feel even stronger. I think I needed the extra workouts because raw was giving me so much energy!!

[Ingenue]

Bikram is enough. 90 minutes a day of heart pounding sweat pouring madness. And the most beautiful stressless release after. It is sooo tremendously detoxifying and strength building. It's working for me!

Namaste!
Ingenue

[aubrey]

I do yoga every morning before I start my day, and sometimes before bed, as well, for at least 45 minutes each time. I do both Ashtanga and Vinyasa, and it is enough for me. I live where it is cold right now...I don't like going to the gym. It feels to mechanical for me, and if I "exercise" I always prefer it to be outside, and yoga is really the only exercise I can handle indoors. When it is warm, I go on walks, hikes, water sports...all sorts of stuff. But in the winter, unless I go on a surf trip, I do yoga. And it is really enough for me. But that is a personal thing, and you need to honor what your body thinks it needs and what is best for you personally. :D

[michigan roman]

just to chip in here , ive always been an athlete and lift - run - bike - cals .
and the way i see it is yoga's for muscle / joint strength and stretching which is great . and can make a very hard body . but you still need a cardiovascular exercise of choice .
and for me it would be running .

[raw-a-go-go]

I have always loved uoga as an exercise, and when I am diligent in my routine I see weight loss. What I think works for me is that yoga makes me totally in tune with my body - lets me be body aware. I am looser and freer, and from here I like to be more active, so I tend to walk more.
I do think cardio of some kind is VERY important, just to get the blood pumping into all those nooks and crannies!

[surfergirl]

Hi
i have been a yoga teacher for 2 years now. i teach a vinyasa flow class with ashtanga twist. I think if you can practice yoga4-5 x week with additional cardio you can maintain vibrant health.
I think you need cardio incorporated into your exercise program to help increase heart rate to burn more calories and burn fat.

Yoga helps increase flexibility and vitality. Try to rotate your cardio, walking for 2 weeks and maybe biking or running the other two weeks of the month.
CArdio will help with endurance and strength.
these programs will help maximize results.
I think you can get by just doing yoga but I believe doing cardio enhances your rawfood and yogic lifestyle.

peace andhugs
traci