YOGA or Fat Burn? Or both?

Just returned from my first yoga class. Well, I seriously should say my only yoga class for awhile. Even though I found the stretches very beneficial and trying to balance myself (plus my extra pounds) on one foot while in a weird contortion very rewarding, it will be a while before I return. And return I will. But right now, that hour could be spent in burning off the extra weight. I can always do a lot of the stretches at home instead of spending my time at the gym getting centered and moving at a turtles pace for an hour.

Yoga is not for sissies. It is tough, not joking. My muscles feel like tomorrow will be a wee bit painful. It looks easy and the people in the class who have been doing it for a while look very graceful and limber. Who am I kidding? I actually looked pretty graceful, too. The movements are slow and methodical, so for the most part gracefulness is inherent by design. 

I wish they had 15 minute yoga classes, because I would be more inclined to join in before hitting the elliptical. Ah-ha! An epiphany! I can go to the yoga class, say hello, stretch and yoga-ise for a bit and then excuse myself to the elliptical. Nice! That's the best idea I've had all day. So far...

This is one move that I could not do because my abs and back are not yet strong enough to lift my extra hip and leg weight up that high. However, I modified it and did my best. This is called the boat pose. Looks easy, right? Try it!!!

It seems like yoga is something one could do at home with a video or a book showing the poses. Our yoga instructor kept saying to use our breathing to find our balance. And believe me, we moved s-l-o-w-l-y . . .!

OH! I also found this link which was pretty good. They may have one of these classes in your area if you are interested. . . .http://www.yogadork.com/news/fat-yoga-no-longer-a-four-letter-word/