Dumbbell Workout: Yoga Poses

Pump Up Your Yoga Practice

It's not a sacrilege—you can strength train at the same time you strike a pose
By Jen Ator womenshealth

Be a Yoga Heavyweight

The fitness world may have stumbled upon its new power couple: Yoga and weight lifting are emerging as complementary—not conflicting—practices. This routine, created by New York City yoga instructor Kristin McGee, combines yoga postures and upper-body strength exercises into a fast-paced circuit. It's easy to zone out during biceps curls, but adding the breathing and concentration of yoga brings a Zen-like focus to lifting, she says. (Search: Yoga techniques for relaxation) It also sculpts a more balanced body: "Yoga tends to emphasize pressing movements, like chaturanga, that work the muscles in the front of your body, but these combinations strengthen your back with rowing movements." Three times a week, grab a pair of three-to five-pound weights and move from one exercise to the next without rest. (And for even more strengthening yoga poses try Slim Calm Sexy Yoga!)

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