Is Yogalates For You?
Yogalates, also alternately spelled as yogilates in other places, is the practices of Pilates and Yoga combined for a better workout of the body. It was created by certified Pilates and Yoga instructor Jonathan Urla in 1997. Yogalates helps to integrate the Pilates work out with hatha yoga for a better workout of the body.
Sessions are often 75 minutes long which can change from studio to studio, and is usually taught in a yoga or pilates studio. Music is a usual accompaniment, as the sounds will helps more people to relax and feel comfortable. Music can also provide energy to the attendees while doing either mat work from Pilates or breathing and meditation techniques from Yoga.
If some people can find the time or motivation to go to a studio they can purchase a yogalates DVD for home use. Some people find it easier to work by themselves, without the paranoid feeling of someone watching you. Yogalates DVDs can be found in most stores that sell DVDs, or specialty online shops that cater to Yoga or Pilates. An example, Solomon yogalates DVDs can be found online, and helps combine eastern and western, modern and ancient techniques for a better workout.
There are great benefits you can gain from practicing yogalates, as yogalates for weight loss is one of the main driving forces. Better balance and self-awareness lead to making someone feel better about themselves, gaining self-esteem.
The yogalate work out might help other better than just doing Pilates or Yoga by itself. It is a full workout that helps you feel better about yourself, and promotes weight loss and better balance.
Yogalates
One of the newest yoga and Pilates trends has been Yogalates. As the amalgamated name indicates, when yoga and Pilates meet, you get Yogalates, an awesome east-meets-west kind of union. Founded by Judith Solomon, Yogalates was developed when she realized that Pilates lacked the ambiance of the yoga room, but that yoga lacked the core strengthening of Pilates. Hence, a new lineage was born. Yogalates is not to be confused with Yogalate, which is just a Karmically enlightened cup of coffee.
You can find Yogalates DVDs with a range of foci from Yogalates for weight loss to relaxation. However, a comprehensive Yogalates workout should be able to encompass both. Solomon Yogalates can be found on DVD, as well, if you want to learn from the founder, herself.
Judith Solomon currently has six different Yogalates DVDs. The Breakthrough Workout is designed with the meditative elements of yoga and the muscle toning and strengthening of Pilates. It has two 25 minutes workouts and comes with a complimentary resistance band. Total Body Toner includes four workouts which each target different parts of the body. Ultimate is designed specifically for morning practice and is divided into three 20-minute workouts. Solomon also includes nutritional advice on this DVD. The forth DVD, Energize, includes a bonus of “meditation basics, to compliment the high-heat regimen of resistance band training.
Firm, Fit and Flexible focuses entirely on flexibility and creating long lean muscles that are strong without being bulky. As an added bonus, she includes a stretch guide booklet, which helps you alleviate tension along common tension points on the body. Last, Weight Loss, hit the market and was instantly popular. This Yogalates DVD encompasses two workouts—one that tones, and the other that burns fat. The Core Toning Workout is designed to target belly fat, by creating more fat-burning muscle cells in your core. The Cardio Enhancer involves quick vinyasas that truly raise the heart rate, hence shrinking fat cells. It ends with ten minutes of relaxation techniques, which many do not realize are integral to weight loss.
Expanding your existing yoga or Pilates practice to encompass Yogalates can be a fun way to explore new parts of both forms of fitness. And if you have moved through all of Judith Solomon’s books and DVDs, you will be happy to know that there are rising stars in the Yogalates world, meaning you have many more DVDs to try.