Isometric might sound like a fancy scientific term, but it’s quite simple — it’s all about exercises where you are perfectly still. Read on to learn more about isometrics, below.
It might sound counterintuitive. It’s natural to think about jumping jacks and bicep curls when it comes to exercise — but holding still?
We’ll help you understand how yoga works and why it’s so beneficial. We’ll also show you how yoga is a great way to incorporate isometric exercises into your fitness routine.
Isometric exercises are a form of strength training where . This is in contrast to isotonic exercises, where repeated joint movement causes the shortening and lengthening of muscles.
These exercises are performed by getting your body into the correct position and then holding it there for a set time. The position may be held for several seconds or even minutes, depending on the exercise and your physical ability.
Some common examples of isometric exercises include:
While isometric exercises through ranges of motion as other exercises do, they have been shown to have various benefits:
If you are looking for a way to incorporate isometric training into your fitness regime, consider yoga. In Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi classes, you can practice various static poses that can help you improve your endurance, stability, and mind-body connection.
While yoga does include many dynamic movements and stretches, it also incorporates various static poses. These poses require you to maintain the position while under muscle tension, which is considered isometric exercise. Over time, these isometric exercises can help improve balance, stability, endurance, and mind-body focus.
The isometric elements in yoga are a key reason why continued practice can help improve muscle strength and endurance, while also helping to improve posture.
and attention to the parts of the body that are engaged.
While isometric exercises have several benefits, doing them in the gym is different from doing them in a yoga class. The isometric poses you are guided through during yoga practice are ideal for cultivating:
Yoga is known to and stability over time. The movements, as well as the isometric poses, require coordinated activation of muscles with precision and focus.
Improving endurance and stability helps you with the performance of day-to-day body movements. For example, you may find it more natural and easy to maintain a healthy posture. You may also find certain joints are more stable, with improved mobility or as you go about your daily activities.
The isometric holds in yoga allow you to quietly focus on your body, improving the mind-body connection. By being still, you are able to more easily deeply tap into what your body is doing and what you need it to do.
If you feel tension or a blockage of energy in an area of your body, holding a pose that activates the area and focuses your attention there can help you have a deep release.
Holding poses can be difficult, especially as you extend the hold over longer periods of time. Practicing this can improve your . Over time, you may find it easier to breathe through the intensity, relax your body, and maintain control over what each part of your body is doing.
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi instructors focus on helping you enhance the mind-body connection. Find a yoga studio near you to learn more about what our classes have to offer.
The balance between is an important aspect of yoga, and part of what makes it such a beneficial practice in so many areas.
The dynamic movements help with strength through ranges of motion, as well as flexibility and mobility. These movements also help to improve coordination as you work to flow precisely through each step.
The static poses focus more on strengthening your endurance and stability, allowing you to hold those poses for longer and longer with continued practice.
These two aspects of yoga balance each other in a way that makes yoga an incredible addition to your fitness regime.
You can think of the dynamic movements of yoga as “preparing your body” for isometric holds. Start your session by getting your muscles activated, warmed up, and flexible with dynamic movements and stretches.
Holding those isometric poses is going to take a lot of strength and focus, so having your mind and body truly activated and energized will help your performance.
Following a few tips when going through your static poses will help you to get the most out of it and do things safely to avoid injury.
If you are not yet doing isometric exercises, you may want to consider them giving them a try.
Yoga is a great way to get introduced to a variety of isometric holds and to guide you through them in balance with dynamic movements.
Whether you already have yoga experience or are just starting out, Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi classes can meet your needs. Check out our website today to find a yoga studio near you!