Yoga Sculpt: Working Out & Working In
As we age, the bones that once easily carried us lose density and grow more porous, brittle, and less dependable. Whether we feel the effects of our bones aging or not, it is never too early to start increasing our bone density through healthy resistance exercises, and Yoga Sculpt literally has our back.
With a combination of yoga poses and light weights, these fitness classes put healthy tension on our bones, strengthening these vital tissues just like we strengthen our muscles. Balancing and weight-bearing poses like warriors 1, 2, and 3, plank, side-plank, tree, dancer, and table top pose are great for helping rebuild healthy bone tissue. In a gentle yoga sculpt class, warrior poses are exchanged for gentler yoga poses and light weights with structured repetitions—for example, low lunge with a bicep curl, or boat pose with weights for extra core strength.
Studies on yoga and bone density show that a consistent practice of yoga and weight-bearing exercises will increase bone density. However, the combination of exercises like these has many benefits in addition to improving bone health and longevity. This kind of strength training also offers cardiovascular benefits by training the heart to work more efficiently (less effort per beat), lowering blood pressure over time. Light weight training can also increase core and joint strength, to improve stability and control in every-day movements, decreasing the likelihood of severe injury in the case of a fall.
Yoga sculpt classes are the best of both worlds when it comes to light weight training and yoga. In each class we are able to work out and “work in”—working out our bodies to build strength, stability, and longevity, while also turning inward to move with mindfulness, breathe through intermittent stretching, and reflect in brief relaxation at the close of each class.
Check out our schedule at the link below and join us for a Yoga Sculpt or Gentle Yoga Sculpt class at NLY this week!
—Gabbie Gordon, Client Experience Manager
