Yoga - Strength or flexibility
 

I have read a few other forums lately where yoga (hatha or ashtanga specifically) is referred to as a strength exercise. I have been classing it under flexibility as my weight program is strength.

Interested to know what your thoughts are on it. Is yoga a strength or flexibility exercise?

I usually put yoga as flexibility but it can be strength also.

I'm doing Ashtanga with an instructor, and I bet ya, it's hard work! :lol: It's a very dynamic, powerful style, and it helps both with strenght and flexibility. But they sort of come together... you get stronger and more flexible, as opposed to just more flexible or just stronger. By definition, yoga is flexibility, but you can develop strenght too. I'd do it under flexibility, since that seems to be the main benefit. :)

I did a very brief Hatha course (just 5 weeks), it's similar to Ashtanga, but didn't seem as powerful. I also tried Viniyoga for a bit, and that involved pretty much no strenght. Neither did a yoga DVD I tried a couple of days ago (which was a disappointment, I wanted a good workout!).

I'm in the market for a good Ashtanga DVD and/or mp3 set...

They say the primary series DVD with Sharath (the grandson of the man who developed Ashtanga) is supposed to be excellent. I saw him practice when they were in NYC on tour in March, he's amazing.

Anyway, here's the link:

http://www.ashtangaproductions.com/

As for the poll, I think it's both too, it's really increased my flexibility, but also my arm strength in general.

Enjoy!

Hatha yoga is like deep stretch, it is mainly increasing your flexibility and stretching your muscles. Ashtanga yoga and especially power yoga take you through more challenging asanas which often include balance work more quickly. This results in them being a strengthening exercise as well as flexability.

BethC, thanks so much for that link. :) Much much much appreciated. :)
I was going to ask my instructor if there was anything, and I still will, but now I have another option as well.

Yoga can be both flexibility and strength training, amongst the many other benefits! The classes I take are primarily Hatha with a little Kundalini and Ashtanga in there. I love yoga because it really helps me focus and get in touch with my body, and it never fails to challenge me both mentally and physically.

Depends on what kind of yoga...I do Bikram yoga or "hot yoga" as some people call it..it's 90 minutes and kills me the next day more than any weight training...definately strength for me and the flexibility is an added bonus!