| Yoga as a fitness practice is more popular than ever. | | | | for an effective development of dynamic flexibility. |
| I myself am a big fan of yoga and combine several | | | | 4.No acceleration-deceleration training: for those who |
| elements of it in my own training. I even plan to | | | | are looking to become more athletic, there is a need |
| became a certified instructor in the near future. | | | | to learn to quickly change directions. Yoga does not |
| However, I can't seat back and hear several yoga | | | | provide for this necessary athletic component. Even |
| practitioners say that "yoga is a complete form of | | | | is the goal is general fitness, everyone can benefit |
| training and that it is all you need". Well, let me give | | | | from acceleration-deceleration training to avoid injuries |
| you a little information about the things that yoga | | | | from simple daily activities such as jumping over a |
| does not do for you: | | | | puddle of mud. |
| 1. No power development: power requires speed of | | | | 5. Limited cardiovascular training: yoga practitioners |
| motion to be developed, yoga is based on slow, | | | | have a low VO2 max compared to swimmers, |
| controlled actions that promote static flexibility, | | | | runners, cyclists and other endurance athletes. In |
| balance and isometric strength. Ashtanga yoga | | | | order to create a dramatic increase in mithocondrial |
| (power yoga) therefore does not develop power it | | | | count and capillary density we must tax the |
| develops isometric strength and static flexibility. | | | | cardiovascular system at intensities and durations |
| Power is lost at higher rates than strength as we age | | | | higher than traditional yoga practices. |
| so it is wise to add some power development to | | | | In conclusion, I would encourage everyone who does |
| ensure greater fitness. | | | | not practice yoga to give it a try, especially if you |
| 2. Limited strength development: it comes a point | | | | are in need for flexibility or balance training. It is also a |
| where the body needs external loads higher than | | | | great way to center your body and mind. I will also |
| body weight to develop strength. Particularly the | | | | recommend that yoga practitioners expand their |
| development of maximal strength is not developed | | | | training to include resistance and endurance training. |
| through yoga. | | | | The body needs different stimulus to be a properly |
| 3. Dynamic flexibility or mobility: while yoga increases | | | | trained and develop as a fine tuned machine that will |
| the range of motion on each joint (ROM), the lack of | | | | ensure fewer injuries and a true development of |
| movement in different directions does not provide | | | | holistic fitness. |