I am often approached by students who wish to participate in one of my yoga classes, to relieve tightness from sore, over strained muscles associated with working out, or a demanding physical lifestyle.  It makes me smile because yoga, if done correctly, should incorporate a lot more than simply stretching tight muscles.  However, if that is what it is going to take to get you on the mat, then sure, yoga is GREAT for stretching a tight over worked body out.  In fact most stretches you know have roots in yoga that go back thousands of years.  In addition to alleviating tightness, it can also encourage proper breathing, connecting our movement to our breath, and really paying attention long enough to listen to how we feel in the moment.  While incorporating these skills we learn what it takes to let go enough to relax completely.  This encourages the development between the mind/body connection.  The term Yoga translates to union, the idea of connecting the body to the breath as a means to create that union.  As with most things, there are a variety of yoga styles available for you to try out.  If you think yoga isn’t for you, perhaps the style was not a good fit.  If you know the types of exercises that appeal to you more so then others, perhaps you can figure out the best yoga style for your specific needs.  I will attempt to break a few of the more popular styles down with a brief explanation of each.  They will be listed in no particular order.  The best style of yoga is the one you will do.

Hot Yoga- This style of yoga is performed in a room set to either 95°F or 105°F degrees.  Classes run 90 minutes long as the students practice the same 26 poses for a few rounds.  This is a very powerful style of yoga that can be physically demanding in that temperature.  Great if you love the heat, and to know exactly what to expect each class.  With such a hot environment it is easier to find flexibility, but be aware of your range of motion so you can avoid moving to far into a pose to avoid injury.

Vinyasa Flow Gentle/Intermediate/Power- This type of yoga can run 60-90 minutes with a style emphasizing movement with the breath.  The room is not overly heated.  The instructor can vary the class ranging from a gentle beginner type sequence with plenty of modifications, to a more advanced physically demanding practice.  A good instructor will be able to cater a class that can appeal both to the beginner and advanced students during the same session.  Class is set to music and is usually a different set of poses each session.  Poses are either transitioned with each breath, or held for 3 to 5 breathes for more strength building.

Restorative Yoga- This type of yoga is much slower paced holding poses from 1 to 10 minutes on occasion.  Taking time to focus on different breathing techniques and how the breath can aid in finding deeper stretches.  From the Hatha (healing) school of thought, implementing aids and props to better experience the yoga posture with proper alignment.  Wonderful for rehabilitation, healing, stress release, and creating calm. 

I believe adding a yoga practice to your excise regime will improve every other physical aspect of your life.  Initially I began yoga to treat chronic pain related to a degenerative hip disease.  Once I introduced yoga into my life, I knew it would become a permanent fixture.  Yoga helped me to slow down my thoughts and begin a journey towards self-awareness and focus.  With all of that wonderful set aside, I can bang out a power yoga class and feel all of the rewards of a high paced combination of a cardio/body weight resistance work out.  Yoga is malleable and can be designed to fit your specific needs.  Do yourself a favor and give it a try.  You deserve to treat yourself to all of the benefits that can come with adding a yoga practice to your life.