If you are looking to build body strength with yoga, then here is your chance at it with some of the best poses, yoga types and styles that will easily help you build your muscles. You can try them and test it for yourself.

Types of Yoga Poses Best for Building Strength

Not every yoga pose is meant for bodybuilding. Only the ones that are dynamic and active are just right for body building purposes. They are considered to be the best equivalent of doing body-weight exercises with plenty of reps. Now for the types of yoga that are best for bodybuilding, here is a list of them. Ashtanga emphasises on daily practice, vinyasa comes a close second and mastering certain other poses will ensure that you have built the perfect strength for your body. Power yoga which is based on Ashtanga yoga I also recommended. Alternatively, you could also try Rocket Yoga and Jivamukti. They are helpful because of the many balancing and inverted postures with fast-paced flow.

Apart from the types of yoga, you could consider the styles of yoga that help. These are the styles that help with building muscle endurance. Iyengar Yoga for one helps with this because they are completed using props which make them easy to hold on longer. Forrest Yoga which concentrates on detail and stamina-testing holds for much longer spells. Slow-flow yoga is about holding longer while connecting with movement. So when your aim is strength-building, then concentrate more on yoga that holds for longer spells with many reps.

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Poses for Building Strength

Phalakasana or Plank Pose

It is one of the best and most effective poses for core strengthening. It looks to promote strength and stability of the abdominal muscles, back muscles, shoulders and chest. It also ensures the leg muscles are activated by holding a plank. The quads and calves get worked on during this pose. It is used as a transitional pose.

Malasana or Garland Pose

It is a deep squat which will improve the flexibility of your hips while at the same time strengthening the muscles on the back and thighs. Even the muscles on the feet and ankles become active while holding pose.

Catur Svanasana or Dolphin Pose

In this pose the body goes into an upside-down V position. It makes sure that you use your muscles on your shoulders, core, back and arm are stable. At the same time the legs and feet are active. This ensures that the whole body is at work.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana or Bridge Pose

The pose helps to open up the chest and is a restorative pose if you use props like blocks or blankets. It is quite a challenging pose wherein you get the opportunity of strengthening the hamstrings and glutes. This also increases the flexibility on the hips.

Utkatasana or Chair Pose

It engages the entire body and makes it active. The quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, core, back and shoulders get worked up. To hold onto the pose, you will require plenty of stamina, endurance and mental focus. It makes you feel the burn in your thighs. It is a deep seat pose where various body parts get activated.

Various Poses That Might Help in Strength Building

The above mentioned are some of the common poses for building strength. However, there are many other types of poses that might help with building strength. They are:

•       Chaturanga Dandasana or Four-Limbed Staff Pose
•       Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose
•       Navasana or Boat Pose
•       Ardha Chandrasana or Half Moon Pose
•       Vrksasana or Tree Pose
•       Adho Mukha Vrksasana or Handstand Pose
•       Virabhadrasana I & II or Warrior Pose I & II