5 Yoga Practices That Double as a Full-Body Strength Workout

"When pondering your next full-body strength workout, a yoga practice may not be the first thing that springs to mind. But it should be! Whether or not yoga counts as strength training depends on the style of yoga and how you approach it, but there's no doubt that the right practice can give you and your muscles a serious workout."

"One of the best parts of leveraging your yoga to boost-and even build-muscle is that your body becomes the gym. It's a reminder that you alone (and your yoga mat and some supporting props) have the capacity to improve your balance, muscle tone, and whole-body health-all it takes is some strategically sequenced shapes. Strengthening yoga practices also serve up an energy boost along with a full-body flow. As with any workout, remember to breathe, hydrate, and adjust as needed."

Yoga can function as a full-body strength workout when practices focus on strength-building sequences and consistent effort. Bodyweight poses and strategic sequencing allow the body, mat, and props to replace traditional gym equipment to improve balance, muscle tone, and whole-body health. Short practices, such as 5- or 15-minute flows, can target core, hip flexors, and smaller stabilizing muscles, while longer sessions combine yoga with strength training for more intensity. Strength-focused classes emphasize breathing, hydration, mindful adjustments, and humility to prevent ego-driven strain. Repeating abbreviated circuits and prioritizing consistency facilitates gradual strength gains and resilience.

Read at Yoga Journal