Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga: GYM (Weights and spinning) and YOGA

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Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga:
GYM (Weights and spinning) and YOGA

ppaiva
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Feb 2, 2003, 5:17 PM

Post #1 of 3 (1953 views)
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GYM (Weights and spinning) and YOGA	Can't Post

I am 48 years old. I have practiced yoga iyengar regularly since 15 months. I am very satisfied with my current practices. My doubt is about the convenience of complement iyengar with gym program of light weights and aerobics (spinning). In fact, the last 25 years I have practiced different aerobics and weights programs at gyms. I want to decide now if it is worthwhile complement them with yoga.

Ashtanga seems to be aerobics, but a spinning program is much more aerobics. Iyengar requires muscular development, but a program of weights is much more effective and they could be good complements.

Activities outdoor like trekking and mountain bike can be good for yoga, but they require a fitness that is obtained of a gym.

Of course, Yoga offers things that are impossible with weights and spinning. I refers to the spiritual aspects of integration at different levels.

Thanks in advance

Pedro

spangled
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Feb 4, 2003, 6:21 AM

Post #2 of 3 (1915 views)
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Re: GYM (Weights and spinning) and YOGA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for your email, Pedro. I'll try to answer, but bear in mind that I am not a yoga teacher.

I think the simple answer is you should do whatever makes you happiest!

I have no experience of combining weight training with yoga, although I did a certain amount of light weight stuff before I took up yoga. I would say, however, that training with very heavy weights is not natural or good for the human frame.

It sounds like you enjoy the weight work, in which case you should continue, and maybe be more conscious of your breathing while you work. This may mean lessening intensity, so your challenge is to remain calm, connected yet uncompetitive as you train.

You might also look into your practice and figure out how you can use your own bodyweight to greater effect. One reason why yoga can be a powerful exercise in a physical sense is that movement/weightbearing is very often not in a single direction or plane (as is the case when using gym machines). It is for this reason that work with free weights is superior to machines.

My teacher suggested to me recently that in standing warrior 1 + 2 postures I might consider wearing a weight belt, and I know others have used weights on the wrists. However, I think I'm going to stick to the classical way.

In my opinion the best exercise for trekking and mountain biking is trekking and mountain biking (or regular cycling). Anything that strengthens the knee (particularly the quadricep muscles) is excellent, although you might want to sit/lie in virasana afterwards to avoid those muscles getting too tight. Forward bends/down dog for the same reason.

Ashtanga yoga, practiced traditionally, is a very hardcore practice, and not for everyone. If you have weak or painful knees, particularly in lotus-related postures I would be cautious. However, you can do an entirely authentic Iyengar practice, incorporating lots of standing postures, and beginning with 10+ suryanamaskar that will do a great deal for both your strength and aerobic fitness - and you won't have to spend your entire practice fiddling with props either.

ppaiva
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Feb 4, 2003, 4:58 PM

Post #3 of 3 (1899 views)
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Re: GYM (Weights and spinning) and YOGA [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for your answer. But, ... I do not like weights work very much. I prefer yoga. The problem was that in my country Iyengar was introduced just five years ago and we had very few yoga centers 10 years ago. Now it is a little different and I rediscover yoga through Iyengar and Ashtanga styles.
So the question was if it is convenient to combine my previous training in gym (weights and aerobics) in the asanas.
Finally, through a conversation with my yoga teacher, I am convinced that it is better not combine them because their methodology are very different and yoga should be enough as a fitness program at human scale. In fact, the asanas are very complete and should be enough.

Thanks again

Pedro Paiva

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