There's Nia and Zumba, and the Chi's (gong and tai).  Also spinning, core-fitness, climbing, fusion this and that, kickboxing and water fitness.  Is yoga just another form of exercise to pay for, schedule, overdo, and quit?  It's at the Y and your gym along with the myriad of group class offerings.  Where does it fit in?

As the popularity of yoga grows, so the does interest in Westernizing it's claims.  It's not sufficient to blindly accept the sometimes remarkable claims of Eastern Indians.  We want measurements, control groups, double-blind studies, and VO2 max numbers.  This is not a bad thing.  Author William Broad, who has put many yogis on the defensive, devotes an entire chapter to yoga and fitness in his book The Science of Yoga.  Broad reports that scientists have found measuring the effects of yoga challenging.  The existing studies have been small and often lack funding.  Just how do you measure aerobic activity while practicing yoga?

Like Lululemon tops, there are many styles of yoga.  Some studies reported by Broad used a few poses practiced daily, others used sun salutations twice weekly.  You can't compare a sweaty Bikram class to a hatha yoga class to an Ashtanga class. And, the experience level of the subjects varied.  Some studies found that metabolism actually dropped rather than was "revved up" during yoga practice as many had claimed.  Aerobic activity was often less than other activities.  Bottom line: The findings of the studies were ambiguous. 

But, regardless of the studies and their outcomes, Broad states that despite the poor showing in terms of aerobic conditioning,

 "The scientists were intrigued to discover . . . [yogis] nonetheless felt better about themselves. . . reported enhanced sleep, energy, health, endurance and flexibility.  They described how they experienced a wide range of social benefits, including better sex lives, social lives and family relationships. . . better moods, self-confidence, and life satisfaction.  With few exception, they said they looked better." 

If that doesn't blow your Yoga Toe socks off.  Read it again.  Better sleep, sex, family relationships!!  Life satisfaction.   Criminy.  Can you think another other type of movement, therapy, diet, or BigPharma offering that can make those claims. 

Want more?

 "A 2010 paper examined more than eighty studies that compared yoga and regular exercise. . . found that yoga equaled or surpassed exercise in such things as improving balance, reducing fatigue, decreasing anxiety cutting stress, lifting moods, improving sleep, reducing pain, lower cholesterol and generally in raising the quality of life for yogis both socially and on the job."

So, call it exercise if you must, but yoga is much, much more.  Regardless of what studies show, the proof is in the difference it makes in your life.  Say goodbye to Ambian, Viagra, Xanax, and 5-Hour Energy Drink.  Hello, yoga.     

Want to read some of my previous articles?  You can do it here.  Enjoy. 

Yoga Studio Ganesha: www.yogastudioganesha.com 

Westside Yoga Studio: www.westsideyogastudio.net 

Body Works Yoga:  www.bodyworksyoga.com 

Graton's Got Yoga: www.yogaingraton.com 

Sonoma Community:  www.yogacommunity.net   

Wednesday Night Change.  

I am no longer teaching my Wednesday night class.  I will greatly miss all of my lovely, loyal students.  But you'll all be in expert hands with the teachings of Usha Carmen, who blends her background in Iyengar and Anusara Yoga to present a well-rounded flow class with attention to alignment.  Please join her on Wednesdays at 5:30.      

Westside Yoga Studio Gets It.  Find me there on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. for an hour of restorative yoga (also known as "laying around").  Please come, your nervous system will thank you.  AND just added is a Friday Vinyasa Flow class from 4:30 - 6:00. This class is for everyone, that means you!

Mary Ellen Whitton created North Bay Yoga Connections newsletter. To sign up, click here.