What's Better For Your Body: Slow Yoga Or Fast Yoga?
Just as dog lovers tend to favor either small or large pups, yogis generally fall into slow or fast camps. So which is better? Glad you asked! A smart yoga routine should incorporate both—ideally one power vinyasa sesh for every two slow sequences (like hatha) per week, according to Melanie Potiaumpai, a doctoral research assistant at the University of Miami. Each type has its own perks; choose your day's flow based on the body benefits below. (Get a variety of yoga routines for mind and body bliss from Women's Health's With Yoga DVD.)
Related: Want Sexy Side Abs by Summer? This Workout Will Light Up Your Obliques
SLOW YOGA
Holding a pose will...
Increase flexibility as you fight through tension and tightness.
Improve muscular endurance with isometric (i.e., still) muscle contractions.
Develop your mental toughness during uncomfortable positions (looking at you, chair pose!).
Try this 30-minute yoga routine for strength:
Related: You Have to See These Women's Incredible Yoga-Fueled Weight-Loss Transformations
POWER YOGA
Moving through rapid transitions will...
Burn up to two more calories per minute than slow flows (that's 120 extra cals torched in an hour-long class), says new research.
Increase muscle activation significantly, helping you get stronger faster (FYI, your muscles will recover during static poses).
Reduce pulled-muscle injuries, thanks to the extra-dynamic stretches.
This article originally appeared in the June 2017 issue of Women's Health. For more great advice, pick up a copy of the issue on newsstands now!
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