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How Much Do You Really Know About Fusion Yoga?
Fusion yoga is a hot new style of fitness, but what exactly is it? We’re here to demystify fusion yoga so that you understand why it’s worth integrating into your weekly routine. FlowLIFT is a style of fusion yoga that is quickly growing in popularity because of the amazing results. Here is why you don’t want to miss out!
According to webMD, fusion yoga is “a trend that blends yoga poses with other fitness regimens, such as Pilates, strength training, dance, or even kickboxing. By melding yoga into other workouts, you can bring its stress-busting benefits and mindfulness to your exercise routine.” We at FlowLIFT completely agree with this!
FlowLIFT is a style of yoga fusion that was created by two longtime vinyasa yoga instructors Amanda McCarroll and Carolina Vivas. They needed to add strength training and cardio to their weekly routine but were having a hard time “doing it all.” They strapped on some ankle weights, grabbed some dumbbells and came up with the sweatiest and most efficient workout they had ever done.
If you have never done fusion yoga, here are some key points that will entice you into trying this perfect workout. Once you try FlowLIFT free for your first two weeks and we know you’ll be hooked!
3 Things To Know About Fusion Yoga
Resistance Training Is Key
Regular vinyasa and power yoga classes have an abundance of resistance training using your own body weight. This has tons of value and is great for you. However the addition of extra weight is even better. FlowLIFT uses 1.5-2.5 lb ankle weights and 2-3 lb dumbbells.
You’ll hear many people say that the only way to really build muscle mass is to do heavy weights at low reps. However, if you take your muscles to the point of exercise fatigue, then low weight with hi reps is just as efficient at building muscle.
The FlowLIFT class has reps of either 10 or 15 for each move. Every single move in the class will integrate the whole body, so you’re always getting a full body workout. However the sequence focuses on one side of the body more than the other for 5-8 moves at a time. After one side is complete, you flow through the other. This ensures a balanced workout but it also pretty much guarantees exercise-induced fatigue. This is what builds muscle mass.
Resistance training not only builds muscles mass but it increases muscle endurance. While regular vinyasa and power yoga classes give you many opportunities to use your own body weight for resistance, you’ll rarely be taken to that point of muscle fatigue. Yoga is good for many things, however fusion yoga does a much better job of increasing muscle mass and muscle endurance.
Gotta Get That Cardio
Yoga is not cardio. If you’re practicing yoga, even if it’s a challenging class, the breath should always be calm, steady and completely within your control. If it’s not, you should rest in those moments, or back off of what you are doing. One of the many benefits of a strong yoga practice is the ability to flow through challenging yoga postures and sequences with complete control over your breath.
Fusion yoga offers that cardio element in a way that a power yoga class just can’t. During the reps in a FlowLIFT class you have an opportunity to move at a very fast pace. Once you are able to execute the move in a smooth and controlled way, speeding it up will elevate the heart rate and get you in that cardio state. Regular yoga rarely repeats the same pose 10-15 times in a row. In FlowLIFT you get the chance to find a groove with a move and then bang it out until your heart is racing and you’re sweating from every pore. Once you’re finished with that move, another one comes your way so you can keep that heat going for several moves in a row.
Cardiovascular exercise is a key element to living a healthy lifestyle. Just yoga won’t cut it unfortunately, which is why Carolina and Amanda created their fusion yoga class. The combination of weights and cardio is one of the best ways to speed up the metabolism and burn fat. Once you turn your furnace on with FlowLIFT, it will stay lit for the rest of the day. You’ll continue to burn calories at a higher rate than normal even after the class is over.
We Must Move Everything!
During most yoga classes you’ll move the joints in almost every direction they allow, and you’ll do so evenly on both sides. Fusion yoga offers this as well. There are many forms of exercise that have the strength training and cardio elements, however FlowLIFT will actually increase joint range of motion. Not every workout provides this very important element.
In addition to increasing mobility in the shoulders and hips, FlowLIFT will keep the core and back strong and healthy. It’s important for the spine to be able to side bend, flex forward, extend back, twist and lengthen. The saying “if you don’t use it, ya lose it” rings especially true when it comes to our spines. Fusion yoga ensures both strength in mobility throughout the trunk of the body, including the spine.
FlowLIFT is a full body class, every time. We don’t focus on specific areas, we utilize the entire body in integrated motion with all movements executed from the core. It’s hard to find a class where you simultaneously build strength as you increase range of motion. Many times we have to do separate workouts to get both of these benefits. FlowLIFT gives it to you in one 45 or 25 minute class.
Try FlowLIFT Today!
There is no better way to move the body than our fusion yoga class. Try FlowLIFT for free today. If you are new to this style of workout, start with a LiteLIFT or XpressLITE class. If you want to go for the gold, try the FlowLIFT or XpressLIFT class.