Finding Strength On and Off the Mat

In this blog, Kayla shares why she believes yoga and strength training are strongest when practiced together. Drawing from her experience as both a yoga teacher and Certified Personal Trainer, she explores how these complementary practices build resilience, improve longevity, and help us feel more powerful and capable in our bodies.

Often, strength training and yoga are viewed as two distinct worlds that should not interact. However, in my years as a yoga practitioner and personal trainer, I have come to believe these practices are deeply complementary and should always be in conversation.

There are misconceptions on both sides. People often associate strength training exclusively with bodybuilding or heavy lifting, yet resistance training is vital for the everyday person. By the age of 28, we have already reached our maximum bone density; without proper fostering, we face a decline that can lead to conditions like osteoporosis in later life. Similarly, yoga is often stereotyped as only being for those who can perform perfect handstands or maintain constant zen, which is far from the norm.

So, how do we blend these two worlds? It starts with what they have in common:

  - Mind-Muscle Connection: Both practices provide the space to connect with your body on a deeper level and develop bodily autonomy.
  - Intuitive Listening: Just as every day on the mat looks different, every day in the gym varies. Both teach us to listen to ourselves—taking what we need and knowing when to leave something on the table.
  - Balance of Effort and Ease: The Yoga Sutras speak to finding the balance between strength and sweetness (sthira and sukha). I teach my students that while we want to build strength, it should not come at the cost of our own detriment.

Blending these practices offers significant physical and mental benefits:

  - Stability and Flexibility: While yoga enhances flexibility, adding resistance training improves muscular strength and joint stability.
  - Postural Support: The core stability and balance developed in an asana practice can greatly improve form during functional strength exercises like deadlifts, squats, and lunges.
  - Recovery and Injury Prevention: Strength training creates small tears in muscle fibers; yoga increases circulation to help flush out metabolic waste and reduce soreness. Furthermore, an asana practice strengthens stabilizing muscles to promote overall joint health.
  - Mental Endurance: Both practices cultivate improved concentration, focus on breathing, and a better understanding of your body’s limits.

If you are a yogi interested in exploring strength training, you don’t have to make huge leaps overnight. Start small—perhaps add a power flow or a dedicated strength class to your routine to see how your body responds. By inviting both strength and yoga into your life, you allow each practice to inform and elevate the other.

If you’re searching for a way to infuse more strength into your weekly classes, chat with a member of our front desk team or send us an email and we can guide you in the right direction.