I used to be the girl who only did yoga for “stretch and recovery” benefits
I used to think 1 hour was way too long.
I used thing I had to master each pose, especially the advanced postures.
I used to think just doing yoga wasn’t enough.
I used to….
Until now.
6 months later.
Just doing yoga and walking.
Yoga has given me more than just physical healing.
It has been my release.
A place to just be.
I’ve fallen over many times. I’ve lost my balance. I’ve laughed. I’ve smiled. I’ve.. GROWN!
And I must say this… I am stronger now than I was 6 months ago, mentally and physically.
So here’s a challenge for you. A little yoga in your strength today. I haven’t tried this workout out, so feel free to give me feedback.
Yoga & Strength: 30 Minute Thursday
5 minute easy cardio warm up
5 Chaturanga Dandasana’s
25 pull ups (assisted or aussie style)
5 Chaturanga Dandasana
25 sumo squats
5 Chaturanga Dandasana
25 stability ball push ups
5 Chaturanga Dandasana
25 flutter kicks
5 Chaturanga Dandasana
Repeat 4x
Feel free to do this workout in bare feet!
For more articles on yoga and strength, check out the sequence builder here and the strength toning poses here.
Cheers or shall I say “Namaste”
LC
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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I think that yoga is written off too often. It’s an incredible practice for mind and body and I love that it has given you both a place to be and a release. I think I need more yoga in my life right now.
i think yoga should be like naptime, a refresher!
I don’t give yoga nearly enough time! I really need to get back at it again. It really is so calming and it really makes me feel stronger! I’m glad you’ve found a happy place!
it really is a good balance with running too. And it’s a way to escape work, reality, etc… just for a bit. xxoo
I wrote about this last week, as I have to really be in the mood for yoga to truly appreciate the benefits. However, I will admit that part of it is that I eschew it for something more “physical,” so to speak (the gym) and traditional, even though I know that I need to take it easy. Sigh. Thank you for the reminder. I really should trade in the bike for the mat.
oh friend, i meant to comment on that post and tell you how much i could relate. My brain was elsewhere i guess. But i can relate. It took letting everything else go, no cardio, no gym, just yoga. Scary truth!
I need to embrace yoga more. You are proof of that!! And I love your pink lulus…perhaps because I love mine of the same variety too!! And you look SO cute in that pic!!
yes, lulu twins! someday we will both wear them and do yoga and barre9ne!
I definitely think yoga has great benefits, sadly I still have not found a class I have truly enjoyed yet. I do love pilates though, but I guess they are quite different. I always think I have to push super hard to get in a good quality workouts, but that is simply not always the case and this post is a great reminder that I don’t always need to leave the gym covered in sweat or be jumping around to get in a good workout. I’m so happy you have found such a positive place for yourself! And you look so beautiful in that picture!!
i think pilates is great too! But there is something about yoga that connects the mind and body, ya know? I think you should search for the perfect yoga class, it’s out there!
I love yoga so much. I have been doing Bikram (hatha) for a while now and I CRAVE it. Love the sweating and the challenge. I took a power vinyasa the other day and let me tell you, that was some tough stuff. Anyone who says yoga isn’t difficult or a workout…Yoga and walking….sounds pretty perfect to me! For the body and the soul…. 🙂
i love power vinyasa too! it’s such beautiful movement, ya know? and HARD!
Loved reading about your relationship with yoga. I’m that girl who thinks an hour is too long right now.
Cycling and yoga, two things we can must get you to do! k?
I love yoga for the mental strength and clarity it gives me. Teaching me to push through things that are difficult and stay in the present.
Have you ever tried a Yin class? It’s like very slow Hatha. You hold poses for 5 minutes (pigeon pose for 5 minutes? shoot me now!). I love to hate it!
oh wow, no! i want to try yin!! I’ve done restorative though. Thanks for the recommendation!
I love, love yoga! Thanks for the yoga workout! 🙂
I just posted on 5 reasons to love Bikram!
One day, we will do Yoga together and have Healthy Bites right after 😉
I know, i just read about your bikram loved! meant to tell you how cool that is!
YES!! I used to think the same about ANY pilates/yoga style workout — that it was ‘just’ for stretching and recovery type work but not a “real” workout by any means. HELLO was I wrong! It’s amazing what using your very own bodyweight can do. Truly. Namaste my strong and fit friend!
i know, it’s crazy how it changes our whole perspective. Next up.. BARRE9!!!!
yes yes yes! is that what got you into Barre9ne?
I vowed to do 30 min of yoga three days a week starting this week! Tomorrow I will definitely have this be my 30 min session! I’ll let you know what I think! Thanks love!
oh yea!! email me or instagram me and let me know. hehe.
I love yoga now… I never did it before I toned things down. However, I am still yet to take a yoga class. I’m too chicken. Maybe I just need to come to class with you?? 🙂
yes!! come with me britt!! you will feel all kinds of healing. <3
This looks like a great workout – I love the poses of yoga, but I don’t all the “empty your mind” prittle prattle that goes with it. 🙂
i think that’s why i love my yoga studio, it’s more real, not prittle prattle. very lucky indeed!
despite not currently practicing yoga, I can say that yoga changed my life in amazing ways 🙂 much like you- I discovered yoga was much more than just stretching. Despite not being on my mat everyday anymore I know that yoga was integral to getting me to where I am today, and one day when I’m able to go back, my mat and yoga will be waiting for me! I’m so happy that you have found your place on your mat and can just be- so important! 🙂
i know you know exactly what i mean. Ahh yes, the yoga feeling. I know you will make it back there soon.. come winter?
this workout sounds intense! i love that you admit to falling. i took a good spill on Tuesday night and was embarrassed among all of the advanced yoga folks around me. thanks for reminding me to lighten up 🙂
never be embarrassed, it’s why we are there, to accept our current self. yes?
Oh my. This speaks to me, as I’ve been trying to get my aging bones to find some kind of balance lately—I have a good DVD, but the idea of doing the WHOLE THING really exhausts me… and I just don’t do it. It’s about 3 months that I’ve been trying to get back into yoga again. You’re so right—I should just go for 30 minutes, and thrive on doing *that*, not worrying doing what I’m “supposed to”. 🙂
you should, try to go 2-3x a week for 2 weeks and see. No pressure, no battling of the mind, just go without thinking. Hmmm, if that’s possible. haha.
Nothing works my body like yoga…. seriously for me, it is the ultimate in exercise (physically, mentally, emotionally). LOVE.
Namaste x
i can’t wait till you are certified!!! YOu will make the perfect yoga teacher!
I need to actually learn poses! I really want to incorporate yoga and strength more into my weekly fitness routines. I think it is so great also for when we age, keeping us flexible and limber. 🙂
check out that build your own sequence link. Or yogatoday has good online mini classes!
Hi Lindsay, I love hatha yoga, it is really amazing. And I used to do Tibetan yoga exercises for a while. They looked really simple to do but they were quite exhausting for the untrained person.
wow, i would love to learn more of the Tibetan yoga!
I totally know what you mean about yoga being good for physical AND mental wellbeing. It’s been my saving grace through stressful times this year. I will definitely give this workout a try and let you know how it goes 🙂
oh yes, i knew you could relate. Thank you! And let me know how the workout goes Sarah.
lovelovelovelovelovelove.
and an amen.
did you get to go last night? to LTF yoga? hope so!
I need to find a good yoga class! Or hire you to be my personal yogi.
maybe we can find a hot yoga studio in AV? or i should send you my 25 min power yoga for athletes DVD. Nap time yoga?!
Nice lulu tights, and is your hair darker?! Cutey patootie!
I keep saying it but once you get started doing yoga or pilates once a week you keep at it, which means I need to get back into the groove.
that picture was before i lightened it. And yes, i go to yoga partly for the lulu attire… we all do, right? 😉
Love 🙂
i want to come to one of your classes soon! xxoo
Again I say… I have to try YOGA :-O! I know you were telling me to start with a DVD first before taking a class. What DVD would you recommend? I want to add Yoga to my regular training b/c I could use it for the relaxation and so much more like you said in your post :-). Thanks!
try the yoga for runners or spinervals dvd. They are 30 minutes or less! perfect!!
yoga is fantastic and what a great routine you posted! love the addition of pull ups too 🙂
i am hoping try it out soon too! so many variations of strength, ya know? Let me know if you try it Felicia.
yoga has done wonders for my mental strength! a constant reminder of the importance to stand still in the midst of the whirlwind world. a constant mental stretch – yearning to reach out and touch my peace.
I love love love this post. I am that girl you used to be.
PS that pic of you is soooo freaking cute. I think I’ve got those hot pink leggings!
i think you need those tights too! we could be lulu twinkies.
<3
First of all, love that picture of you! Secondly, I need to fit more yoga into my life. Thanks for the reminder!
yes, do it BEth! your body will thank you! Especially after all that training!
I think I haven’t ever been able to get into yoga because I try doing it at home and can’t really focus on it. Maybe a studio would be better!
no no, go to a studio. I know a few in a dallas you’d like. Email me what area you are in. I’ll find you one! xxoo
i love that you has added so much to your life….and i am sure it has helped you recover from your tummy issues too. we all need some peace and acceptance and …..wine (!). this work out looks tough. though this is something i think i would like. a while back you mentioned something i think on instagram or maybe a video about how you do 12 chatarangas each morning because it is 2012. well i tried that and OH MY! something that sounds so easy was SO hard. cheers to yoga!
hehe, yes, 12 chatarangas every morning! I do it will coffee is brewing. It helps get my gut moving and helps waken the senses. I know, i’m weird.
Ive only just discovered yoga, but I love it. I found a very basic routine in an Oxygen magazine and have been doing it a few times a week. Would love to find a good class though!
wonderful Megan!! Keep the yoga going! it will pay off.
Yoga and I have an off-and-on relationship. I like to do it once a week or once every two weeks to clear my mind. Every time I do it, I definitely feel wonderful. I’m so happy to hear that you’re loving your new routine, Lindsay! Get it girrrl.
i think we all have that kind of relationship, but hopefully its’ an agape kind. where you love it no matter what, even if youre not practicing.
🙂
girl you beat us to the punch haha we have yet to do some yoga, not sure why as we both love it
I think I need to do some yoga this weekend 🙂
two words.. okay maybe three… BLEND YOGA RETREAT!
I’m so so happy that yoga has helped you achieve both inner and outer strength, Lindsay! <3 You're inspiring me. One of these days I'll make it to a yoga studio. I'm not sure what's holding me back? Maybe the fear of stepping outside of my current routine? I've cut back on the cardio, but now I've become a bit of a strength-training junkie. I know that yoga would do wonders helping stretch out my sore muscles! Not to mention the even more important benefits for the SOUL.
Maybe I need to fly to Austin and go with you. I think that would do the trick. 😉 Love you to the moon and back. <3
i love my strength too! trust me. But i think what made me love yoga was seeing the internal benefits along with the physical, ya know? And it took time, like at least a month to really appreciate it. I think you should come to austin, please!!!
I don’t do yoga, but I was thinking about doing it…my parents don’t approve though. They don’t like the history of yoga– you know, idolatry and weird spirituality and stuff. But I always tell them I can pray instead of “meditate” while doing yoga. 🙂
you know, i totally get that. The studio i practice at here doesn’t do that. In fact, the owner/head yogi is a christian. I love her words of wisdom at the beginning of each class, just gives me a sense of calmness. No hokey pokey. I have done the praying in class too. It’s awesome!!
p.s.
I am going to Asheville in 2 weeks. Wish you still going to be there!
I need to spend more time doing yoga! I think the world would be a better place with more yoga!!
I’ve totally fallen away from yoga and I sure do miss how it makes me feel!
i think you will venture back soon, when hunter is a little older. Enjoy mamahood!
This makes me smile! I’m somebody who struggles to give yoga a chance. And to be honest I know I probably can’t do all the poses correctly so I’m like why try? One day 😉
You are super cute!
Hugs <3
Katie, i think you should definitely give it a chance! I know it feeels awkward, but it’s so much more rewarding for your body. You know it. I love ya!
i think 40mins has been the longest yoga session i have ever done! i am a huge fan of the 20min podcasts on yogadownload app. i simply get out of my bed in the morning, flip on any 20min session on the app and go! it’s a great way to break a little sweat but more importantly center myself for the day 🙂 i’ll have to give your yoga workout a try!
yep yep, 20 minutes is glorious! i think thats all you really need, but when you go to classes the hour is just awesome. I feel like time stays still during that time, ya know?
Thanks for this LC – as always – I needed to know this! I think you’re on the money here and I love this post.
Ah, your original sentiments are things I hear allll the time. I feel like it’s so cliche for me to say “yoga cures X, Y & Z” , but I do it anyway because my experiences have really been life-changing. Thanks for opening up about how a perspective can shift 😉
yes yes yes, i will echo that forever! Yoga it UP!