Cardio and yoga aren’t typically included in the same workout. We usually do our workout, then do yoga to stretch those muscles, right? Sure! However, cardio and yoga complement each other quite nicely when included in the same session. Integrating bouts of cardio within your yoga sequences actually allows for a deeper practice! Keep reading to learn about the other benefits of combining these two very different workouts.
EXTRA Stress Reduction
While meditation and restorative yoga have amazing stress-relieving abilities, so does jumping, dancing and pulsing! Not only does it get your heart pumping, it’s fun! All of this movement will take your mind off of any tension you’re holding in your body.
Burn More Calories
Bursts of cardio throughout your yoga session maximize the calorie burning effect of your workout. It’s a similar premise to that of interval training–raise your heart rate for a minute or two, and then bring it back under control while still working. You’ll even continue to burn calories for several hours after your leave your mat!
Improve Heart Health
Include your heart on the list of muscles that are working in during yoga class. The addition of cardio requires your heart to keep up while you increase and decrease your heart rate. Just like any other muscle, the more you work it, the stronger it will get!
Optimize Your Breath
Your lungs are on that list of muscles, too! Our breath dictates our movement in yoga, and it’s important to control it during cardio as well. Cardio strengthens our lungs to make our breathing more efficient.
Detox Your Body
Sweating is one way your body rids itself of toxins. Raising your heart rate and challenging the circulatory system pumps the lymphatic system, which expels toxins and other unwanted materials from the body.
If you’re interested in trying an active yoga class that will get your heart pumping, be sure to try our ACTIVATE session! A combination of strength, cardio, stretching and breathing, ACTIVATE will challenge your mind and body in new ways.