3 Reasons Why You Should Add Strength Training to Your Yoga Practice (Especially if your over 40)

 I must admit, I practiced yoga for many years before adding strength training to my movement practices.  And you know what, my body hurt.  Repetitive movements combined with my lack of strength resulted in me overloading my joints, and OUCH! Pain. True, yoga alone, worked for me for many years to relieve my joint pain and muscle tension, but finally, my body needed more.  Ladies, if we want to stay FABULOUS as we age, strength training is a must! And here is why:
1. So we can dance the night away! Seriously! Muscle Mass decreases as we get older.(ie, more jiggly parts). So if we want to carry in the groceries, keep up with the grandkids and fur babies, climb the bleachers at the game and most importantly dance the night away to our favorite tunes, we need strength training. Building  those stabilizer muscles in our shoulders and hips making injury less likely and daily activities easier.
2. So our bones stay strong! I don't want to be the little old lady who can't stand up straight! No Way! As we get older (especially after menopause) our bone mass decreases and osteoporosis becomes a serious possibility. No one wants to be nursing a broken arm.   Weight training strengthens our bones.
3.  So we are happier! Serotonin ( the feel good hormone) production decreases as we get older and approach perimenopause and menopause.  But research shows that exercise and strength training can increase serotonin production.  Anyone else, singing "Happy" by Pharrell Williams right now?

So what's a diva who hates going to the gym to do, you might ask? 
Add light weights to her yoga practice! I love my 2 pound weights that I bought for cheap at Marshall's.  Don't have weights? Grab a couple cans from the cabinet or water bottles from the fridge.
​
I'll be sharing some yoga poses over on my Instagram @lisaking_the_literary_yogi all week! Be sure to hop over there for easy to implement ideas, for all levels of strength.  

---