8 reasons why yoga beats the gym

8 reasons why yoga beats the gym

I'm not a comparator by nature. In my book, everything has its pros and cons (except yoga, of course, which has all its pros!). So while I'm not anti-gym, I think yoga kicks the gym's butt on all levels, and you can literally kick yourself in the butt in yoga if you feel like it!

People are always curious about “what else I do besides yoga” to “work out.” The answer? Nothing! Yoga is everything my body needs to function optimally. Here's why:

It's efficient!Why should I waste so much time in the gym training each part of my body separately when with yoga I can connect all the dots and do it all at once? No amount of weight lifting will make my arms as strong as holding my own body weight in yoga. Plus, virtually everything you do in yoga engages your core, from core-centered poses to moving from pose to pose, using your core to stabilize your body. And in various inversions and arm balances, yoga allows you to increase your heart rate, strengthen your muscles and lengthen them at the same time. How's that for efficiency?

It can count as cardio.All you have to do is try a few sun salutations or a flow at a good, steady pace, matching your breath to your movement. Or, if you're feeling a little more adventurous, try some Kundalini Kriyas.

Yoga is not a competitive sport!I prefer yoga to the gym because I stay away from anything that requires me to compete with others. Isn't there enough competition in work and life in general? While some people thrive on being the fastest in spin class or running longer than the woman on the treadmill next to them, in yoga it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing. There is no comparing or competing because there is only you.

It saves money.In fact, yoga doesn't have to cost a cent. All you need to practice is you. You can wear any clothing that allows you to move, and you don't even need a yoga mat: grass and carpet work well. If you want inspiration, there are lots of great, inexpensive yoga DVDs or free online videos.

You can do it anywhere.With no equipment required, it doesn't matter if you're at home, in your office, on the go, or even on the streets of NYC. As long as you feel like it, you can strike a few poses.

Yoga helps you lose weight.Practicing yoga changes your mind: it changes the way you approach life, your body and food. Yoga shows you how to appreciate your body for all the amazing things it can do for you and points you in the direction of filling your body with the best possible fuel instead of processed junk food. And changing the way you think about your body and the foods you put into it will be a much more effective means of weight loss than burning a few calories in an aggressive kickboxing class and then mindlessly plowing through the same or more calories later in the day.

Hello, variety.Yoga can be different every day if you want it to be. Do you want a challenge? Throw some arm balances and inversions into your practice. Do you need to concentrate? Try a few balance exercises one at a time on the same foot. Or if you're looking for relaxation, hang out in the pigeon, a few seated forward bends and a restorative back bend.

No injuries.In yoga you learn to bring body and mind into harmony. This allows you to move with ease and be aware of how your body feels at all times so that you move in a way that feels good for you and doesn't take you places your body doesn't want to be. The result? An injury-free, strong, healthy, whole you.

In fairness, I realize this is a pretty one-sided argument (okay, a completely one-sided argument). But for those who ask, “What else do you need besides yoga?” I say: If you choose one, choose the one that saves you time and money, makes you feel good, and helps you lose weight.