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| Photo by lululemon athletica on Filckr |
The stretching, pulling and twisting done during a yoga session assists the body's detoxification systems in eliminating waste. Waste removal is important because the build up can cause unnecessary excess weight and having cells free of as many toxins as possible, keeps organs functioning well.
Yoga doesn't seem like it would compare to more traditional forms of cardio, i.e. running. But the positioning and holding of the different postures really increases your heart rate and oxygen consumption which improves aerobic capacity -- the functional capacity of the cardiorespiratory system (heart, lungs and blood vessels).
The isometric contractions performed during yoga are great for muscle building. I posted earlier about the benefits of building muscle -- the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest.
I personally love Bikram yoga -- there's something about sweating in a room that's 105 degrees that is refreshing (ironic, I know). I always come away feeling cleansed, relaxed and fit. But any form of yoga is beneficial. If you're new to yoga, give it a try. Or if you're a seasoned yogi, maybe try a new style to switch it up. Have fun with your workouts.
Namaste.
Resources:
Gaiam Life
American College of Sports Medicine
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