Strength training is one of the best ways to keep our bones healthy for life—and many people are surprised to find out that yoga can be a strength workout! In fact, it's one of my favorites because it helps me relax and de-stress at the same time.

xoxo,

Sukey

Ask most people which workout is most effective for building muscle and they'll say forget about yoga and start lifting weights. But a consistent yoga practice can tone and even build muscle—and in a more balanced way than weight lifting.

When it comes to weight training, people tend to focus on the muscles they want to improve—their biceps and calves, for instance—while neglecting important major muscle groups like those in the back, which support proper posture. Exercising the most commonly worked muscle groups over and over causes imbalance in the body and only challenges these muscles within a very short range of motion.

Yoga, on the other hand, recruits all the muscles (big and small) and uses the body's own weight for resistance, providing a more functional form of training. Instead of shortening the muscles, it stretches and lengthens them for a lean, toned body rather than a bulky, muscular one. Plus, a vigorous yoga class leaves you feeling energized rather than depleted.

Build strength with yoga by following these guidelines.

Power Up. Restorative yoga certainly has its place, but power yoga is the way to go if you want to get stronger. Go for an intense vinyasa class two to three times a week to really tone. If you can't get to the studio, try Bryan Kest's downloadable power yoga classes.

Keep it Challenging. As weight lifters get stronger, they add more weight to challenge their muscles. Maintain the strength you build through yoga by holding poses longer. Start by holding a pose like chaturanga for three slow breaths. As this becomes easier, increase the number of breaths in order to keep your arms, core and back working hard. Try one of Dave Farmar's power yoga podcasts for a demanding (and rewarding) workout.

Incorporate Weights. Many studios are fusing weight lifting and yoga for a strength workout that packs an extra punch. These classes use light hand weights and dynamic movement (rather than exercises that isolate one muscle at a time) to simultaneously build and lengthen muscles. Try it at home with a Yoga Sculpt video class from Yoga Download.

If you enjoy lifting weights, then go for it. But try adding a power yoga session or two a week and you may find yourself dropping weight training because your time on the mat maintains and tones the muscle you have—and because the peace of mind that yoga brings is harder to find in the weight room.