Yoga is more than stretching. You work on your body, your breathing and your focus all at once. That's why many people notice the effects not just on the mat, but in the rest of their week too. Read on to find out what yoga can do for you, and which class suits which goal.
More flexibility and mobility
If you sit a lot, you slowly lose mobility in your hips, back and shoulders. Yoga takes your joints through their full range of motion and gently stretches your muscles and connective tissue. After a few weeks, you'll often notice that bending, twisting and reaching come more easily.
Yin Yoga in particular, where you hold poses for minutes at a time, works deeply on your flexibility. With Hot Yoga, the warmth of the heated studio makes it easier to sink deeper into a pose.
Strength and better posture
Many yoga poses demand strength: you bear your own body weight on your arms, legs and core. At the same time, you train the smaller, stabilising muscles that support your posture, the ones you barely work in the gym.
If you mainly want to get stronger, choose a dynamic class such as Vinyasa Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga. For a strong core and better posture, Pilates is a great addition.
Peace of mind and less stress
In every yoga class, you breathe more slowly and deeply than you're used to. Calm breathing is one of the quickest ways to settle your nervous system. Many people find they feel calmer after a class, and some sleep better because of it too.
Yoga also requires your attention. For a whole hour, you're focused on your breath and your posture, not on your phone or your work. For many people, that may well be the biggest benefit of all.
A great complement to other sports
Yoga and strength training complement each other well. Strength training makes you strong; yoga keeps you supple and helps you recover. Runners, cyclists and people who do a lot of group classes also use yoga to loosen up.
Which yoga class is right for you?
- New to yoga? Start with Easy Flow Yoga.
- Want to relax and become more supple? Choose Yin Yoga.
- Want yoga that's a proper workout? Choose Vinyasa or Ashtanga.
- Love the heat and a good sweat? Try Hot Yoga or Hot Pilates.
Still undecided? The article on which yoga style suits you explains the differences in more detail. Or book a free introduction at Black & White in Breda, and we'll work out together which class is right for you.
