After studying the human musculoskeletal system, it was especially interesting to pick up a new activity and experience it with new knowledge. I decided to try a yoga class because it is an entirely new activity for my muscles. I wanted to feel the difference in muscle involvement during the workout and compare it with familiar gym strength training. Even though I was skeptical before the class, now I can say it was an interesting experience. Yoga unites stretching and strength exercises which gives the body not only the feeling of being strong but also flexible and tone. On the other side, yoga is not a choice for very active people that want to be dynamic or have a purpose to lose weight. Even though yoga can be very dynamic, it still needs a focus on various positions, proper breathing, and some calm moments. If I was to continue yoga classes, I would set up a goal of becoming more flexible in my back, shoulders and having a beautiful and straight posture.
Yoga allows us to get rid of the tension in the upper body we gain due to long static positions while sitting at the computers and working at the different height desks. Due to straight walking, humans will always have increased tension in the lower back, and it is important to stretch muscles there along with strength training. I will recommend yoga classes to people that feel stiff and tired in their muscles as active muscle relaxation is important for feeling energetic and toned.
From terms of anatomy and physiology, yoga can focus on all somatic muscle groups depending on the exercise. Static exercises help develop a balance between the antagonist’s muscles, stretching and strength exercises help improve coordination and flexibility. Yoga can be an aerobic exercise if it is done actively and involves exercises in addition to breathing practices. Yoga exercises involve mostly isotonic muscle contractions which means fibers of the muscles change their length during the workout. According to the research, yoga exercises can improve idiopathic scoliosis among teenagers (Fishman, 2021). That means, this type of sport can make people feel less stiff and improve their health conditions.
Reference
Fishman, L. M. (2021). Isometric yoga-like maneuvers improve adolescent idiopathic scoliosis—a nonrandomized control trial. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 10, 1-7. Web.