Meet Yoga Strong, Equinox's signature fusion of yoga and strength training. Whether you are a dedicated yogi or more comfortable training alone on the weight floor, the class will challenge you in all the right ways. Below, Felicia Csolak who teaches Yoga Strong at Equinox Clubs across New York City, is sharing what you need to know about the innovative class and why you should try it next.
What is Yoga Strong?
Yoga Strong is what Csolak describes as a "hybrid training model, meaning that we're incorporating movement patterns that are not typically used in a yoga class," she says. Those patterns are largely strength-based movements that you're used to seeing in other class formats or in the weight room.
Why merge yoga and strength? Yoga Strong offers unique benefits including developing stability in your range of motion. "What this class really focuses on is a lot of stability and really strengthening movements in specific patterns," says Csolak.
Yoga Strong utilizes a special sandbag (developed specifically for Equinox) that lets you move in all different directions while simultaneously having to stabilize your core.
How Yoga Strong Complements Your Fitness Routine
If you typically strength train but do not practice yoga, Csolak says this class is a great addition to your training routine since it will help you increase your flexibility and range of motion. "By increasing your mobility and your flexibility, your movement patterns are way more efficient. When your movement patterns are more efficient you can perform movements correctly, because you have the mobility to do so, and that prevents injury," says Csolak.
If you are a devoted yogi, Yoga Strong will challenge your strength and stability in ways that can benefit your body and your practice. " When it comes to yoga, we create a lot of length throughout the body and that includes our joints. And sometimes you can improve your flexibility so far to the point where your joints become not as stable as they should be," says Csolak. So if you tend to hit the yoga mat more than the weight room, dialing up the strength in a Yoga Strong class can help you balance that flexibility by creating more stability in your joints so you prevent injury.
If you're looking for a class that's different from anything else you've tried, Csolak says to give Yoga Strong a shot. It's going to challenge you but it's the kind of class that's designed for you to return to again and again and build on the progress you make each time.
Ready to try it? Yoga Strong is available at Equinox Clubs and in the Equinox+ App