Yoga Alone Is Not Enough

Now don’t get me wrong.

I like yoga.
I go to yoga classes (not as much as I should).
I recommend yoga to clients all the time (some more than others – and you know who you are).

Impressive posture.

However, yoga alone is not enough to make you fit and healthy.

As far as I can tell it focuses on only 3 of the 10 General Physical Skills. Strength (some) – Flexibility – Balance.

It is our contention that if you want to be truly fit and healthy you have to develop all 10 general physical skills. Obviously you will excel more in some than others but being proficient in all these skills is going to put you on the favorable end of the Wellness Curve.

It never fails that when I have somebody in for a first day, and their major activity in life is yoga, that they are weak. An example of weak is they can’t get down to the bottom of a squat without collapsing or they can’t get up. Hopefully this is why they are coming to see us here at MadLab and good for them.

Alas yoga will not increase your power – How much work you can do in how much time.  I have attended a “Power Yoga” class and while some of the postures were very challenging they did not include a time component (jumping – getting under the bar on a clean – Fran).  The isometric holds are good but the name is misleading.

Yoga is awesome but best used as a supplement to a more comprehensive fitness regime like the one we offer at The MadLab School of Fitness.

A few common arguments:

“I hate when people talk about CrossFit non stop” – I’ve had the same thought about CrossFitters and yogis alike.  People are stoked on what they are doing and they want to share this with you.  Chances are you aren’t that juiced about anything in your life so don’t be hating.

“I don’t want to be around all those meat heads” – Haha.  Ok we might have a few meat heads around (me included) but we are nice meat heads.  The great thing about our community is that we are very inclusive.  We come from all walks of life and accept all creatures great and small.  I’ve felt more shunned at a Yoga studio than I ever have at a gym.

“Yoga calms my mind” – Different strokes for different folks.  I get it.  It calms my mind as well.  However exercising with compound multi joint movements that challenge my cardiovascular system and stamina have a much more positive effect on my mental and physical well being.  Just try it – I dare ya.  😉

“Do I have to eat meat?” – Yes!  Ok not if you don’t want to.  However education is a big part of what we do so we would give you some relevant information to consider (The Vegetarian Myth – Lierre Keith).

“I don’t want to get injured” – Nobody does.  Let’s face it… Injuries are part of sport and life.  I once separated my shoulder while putting on snowboard pants (true story).  I’ve injured myself doing yoga as well.  The problem with CrossFit is not the methodology itself but rather the manner in which it is delivered – With little to no personal supervision and guidance.  At MadLab we deliver our service in a personalized and catered program that will ensure you know how to mobilize, activate, stretch and above all move safely and correctly.

Feel free to add any more arguments (on either side) in the comments section.

Let’s face it…  the Zombie Apocalypse is coming…

What sort of person will survive in this environment?  One who, when faced with 10 walking dead that want to eat your brains, will stop and stretch to show them who is boss?  Or someone that can sprint to the shed and grab the double headed axe in order to chop off all their heads before they eat you?

Just saying…

Thanks for reading.

Sheppy

Tuesday’s Workout:

Warm Up:

Coach’s Choice

Skill/Strength Element:

A1. 5 Seated (on the floor (straddled), or on a plate) DB Shoulder Press, 4 Sets

A2. 2 Rope Climbs or 1 Legless Climb, 4 sets

Workout:

200m Run

20 WallBall (20/12lbs)

20 Box Jump step-down (24/20″)

10 C2B

5 rounds.