Is Yoga a Relaxation & Fitness Class?

If you haven't tried yoga but are interested in joining a class, it's important to decide whether you want a class that is relaxing or one that is physically demanding. Yoga classes range from so relaxing that it's easy to fall asleep to so challenging that you won't be able to hold some of the poses. The key to picking the right class for you is knowing what each type of yoga offers.

Relaxation

Certain types of yoga classes are geared toward relaxation rather than fitness. A common type of relaxation yoga is yin yoga, in which poses typically focus on the body's connective tissues, rather than muscles. A key trait of a yin yoga class is that you often hold the poses longer than in other types of class, which can promote a feeling of calm and relaxation in your body. If you practice yoga at home, tailoring your routine to focus on relaxing poses is ideal in the evening before bed.

Fitness

A yoga class focusing on fitness is ideal if you want a break from your traditional cardio or weight training workout. Yoga classes that emphasize fitness include Ashtanga and hot yoga, which typically include challenging poses that require a combination of strength and balance. In hot yoga, the room is hot and humid, which helps you sweat to eliminate toxins from your body. Remember that sweat isn't tied to burning calories; when you sweat, you're losing water weight.

Calories Burned

You'll burn calories in all types of yoga, but the more vigorous the class, the faster you'll burn calories to help you lose fat. In a 90-minute Hatha yoga class, someone who weighs 155 pounds will burn roughly 447 calories. Hatha yoga is a moderate type of class; not as vigorous as Ashtanga and slightly more fitness-oriented than yin. If you want to lose fat, taking a couple of yoga classes each week is an effective way to burn calories.

Other Benefits

Regardless of your reasons to taking a relaxation- or fitness-oriented yoga class, you'll receive a number of wide-ranging benefits. Adding yoga to your workout regimen can lower your level of stress, help you manage your weight, prevent a number of health conditions and increase your strength, flexibility and overall fitness, according to the Mayo Clinic. Another key benefit of yoga, according to Dr. Mehmet Oz, is the cleansing of your blood by stimulating your lymphatic system.