Does power yoga have similar benefits to cardio exercise?

May 2021 2 87 Report

Does power yoga have similar benefits to cardio exercise?

I injured my knee earlier this summer and have since been unable to do any of my previous cardio workouts because they tend to injure it further. I can't do swimming because I don't have easy access to a pool and everything else (elliptical included) is too hard on my knee so will power yoga work? I've been trying to lose weight and have done a rather intense power yoga workout about three times already in addition to my pilates workouts and I want to know if this will give me some of the benefits of cardio? I sweat quite a bit during the workout and I want to be sure that I am getting a fair amount of moderate cardio.

Health / Diet & Fitness

Dances with Buddha

Verified answer

I think the only reliable way to know if you are getting 'a fair amount of moderate cardio' would be to monitor your heart rate.

Whether power yoga is vigorous enough for you depends mostly on your current level of fitness and ability, and, the duration and effort level of your sessions.

You can buy heart rate monitors having just the basic functions starting as low as around $40 (http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php/pa... ).

As far as what your target heart rate should be, here's a page of suggested rates from The American Heart Association site: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?ident...

A lot of additional info can be found on web also. Just search by "target heart rate".

Many books have been published also. I reccomend any of the fitness/nutrition books by author Covert Bailey: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-ur... .

Good luck.

Namaste',

dwb