The research team had 46 people report their feelings about their body before and after completing a group yoga class and a group resistance class on different days. While both classes helped lower participants’ social anxiety about their physique, the yoga class had a more significant effect. And, more importantly, only yoga increased individuals’ body satisfaction.
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The theory? While strength training offers plenty of bennies, it often emphasizes appearance-based changes, like building muscle strength and visible tone. Yoga, on the other hand, shifts attention away from how you look to how you feel at that moment, connecting you with your body.
So next time you’re having an off day, whip out your mat and knock out a few sun salutations.
You’ll feel like a warrior in no time.