For the first article in our Fitness Roadtest series, I try yoga.

Intrigued by the yoga articles on HerCanberra, I was keen to try this activity which seems to bend bodies into impossible poses and focusses on the importance of breath.

Yoga continues to grow in popularity around Australia – a fact certainly backed by the impressive range of yoga practitioners in Canberra – and, as a high intensity gym junkie, I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

It’s great for injuries, relaxation, reducing stress, toning, and core strength. I was told yoga ‘makes your day longer’ and I experienced it firsthand; it fills you with an energy that lasts for hours!

As a yoga novice, I first went to the Beginner’s Yoga class on Saturday morning at Soul Yoga at Torrens shops. The class is ideal for those new to yoga and allows each person to work at their own limit.

Gary, our instructor, introduced us to some of the positions in yoga, including: Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward dog), Uttanasana (foward fold), Trikonasana (triangle). We all worked to our own body’s capacity. We concentrated our energy on our breathing and using our breath to release on each position.

The class was very gentle and calm and followed with Savasana (relaxtion). I left the class feeling energised and my body felt less tense and more calm- like the stress of the week had physically left me.

Prices are $90 for a six week block – find out more on the Soul Yoga Canberra website.

I also roadtested Yogalates (Yoga and Pilates together in one class) at Om Shanti College at Griffith Shops.

The class was slightly more advanced than the beginner’s class at Torrens, and Jenna the instructor provided great guidance. We stretched every way possible, but it was all gentle and calm.

My body worked harder during this class, because it wasn’t used to using the strength needed to maintain the stretches. I felt we focused more on utilising specific areas, such as hips or arms, and we ended with relaxation.

Classes run with school terms and cost $160 for the full term or $18 per class for casual visits.

I am currently recovering from a leg injury and, surprisingly, neither class irritated my injury at all.

Yoga is really amazing. It takes all the stress and sweat out of everyday exercise and applies it to strength and relaxation. I have never felt the energy I get from yoga from any gym class. And the best part is, it’s all very gentle. Yoga is designed to benefit your body – you listen to your body and allow it to work at its own pace. Both teachers stressed the importance of this.

I use to think Yoga was a bit ‘hippy’, and I have never been one to meditate, but there’s a lot more to it. It clears your mind and fills your body with a sense of calm and energy. It’s almost as though it clears all the toxins of the body and creates space for the energy of the day. I felt less tired and less frumpy.

And yoga really does get amazing results – check out the body of any regular ‘yogi’ (i.e. Jennifer Aniston) and you’ll see the toned, lean physique that comes with doing a lot of work using your own body weight.

For a workout equally good for body and mind, you can’t go past Yoga.

For more Yoga classes in Canberra checkout Balancing Act and Yoga and Pregnancy.

And if you want the chance to win a Radiant Sun Yoga weekend yoga retreat at Broulee, enter here now!