As evidenced by the number of boutique Pilates studios in London, Mumbai and Los Angeles, low-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates are more popular than ever. More and more people are opting for the calm of a reformer or yoga class instead of the shouty HIIT workouts. Dr Vicente Mera is a longevity specialist at Sha Wellness Clinic. He suggests focusing on three different areas. David de la Fuente Franco is a sport scientist from the University of Nebrija and he believes that the formula to remember is a 2:1:1 ratio. If you have the time, you can try to do two strength workouts in a week, two cardio workouts, and one stretching or meditation session. For example, you could start your week with a spin or jog on Monday, and then a relaxing Friday morning yoga class can be an excellent way to end a busy week. She says that both workouts help us to improve our balance and stability. Yoga for longevityExperts on longevity also praise a regular practice of yoga. Dr Nigma Talib is the author of Reverse the Signs of Ageing. She says that there are studies that show two 90-minute sessions of yoga per week can reduce inflammation by up to 20%. Harvard research shows that yoga can help you develop a positive relationship with yourself and your body by focusing on self-awareness and meditation. Stretching improves your training in generalStretching is an essential part of any low-impact workout and, as previously mentioned, incorporating it into your routine will have positive knock-on effects on other workouts. According to osteopath Francisco Moreno, stretching helps improve flexibility and strengthen muscles over time. “Strong muscles adapt to the demands of daily exercise and movement,” he says. This will not only reduce your risk of injury but also increase the effectiveness of your workouts. Regular stretching improves your muscle coordination, recovery and blood circulation. It also reduces daily aches and discomforts. This story was first published on Vogue.es.
