YogaFit is a form of yoga that is designed specifically for the fitness industry. YogaFit stands for Yoga for the Fitness Industry and was developed in the mid 1990s by yoga instructor Beth Shaw in Los Angeles.
As a trained instructor, Beth saw the need for a specific type of yoga for health clubs, due to the differences in the environment from the gym to the yoga studio. The bright lights and cold rooms of the gym provide specific challenges that don’t exist in the typical yoga studio.
YogaFit combines principles of fitness and traditional yoga asanas. A typical class will have yoga asanas, as well as exercises such as sit ups, squats, push ups and other exercises.
The poses in a YogaFit class are woven together with continuous movement in a flowing sequence of poses. The flowing format is similar to what is found in a vinyasa flow or power yoga class, but with the addition of non yoga exercises.
This type of fitness yoga practice is considered by strict yoga adherents to be a watered down version of yoga. This is because YogaFit never uses Sanskrit names for the poses, nor is there any meditation, mantras or anything other than the physical aspect of the practice.
This type of yoga is popular for athletes and people working out at the gym for weight loss or to improve their strength and fitness. YogaFit is designed to provide benefits for increased strength, balance, improved flexibility and an improvement in overall fitness.
Training programs are available for yoga teachers interested in learning this program. YogaFit offers 200, 300 and 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher programs. In addition, the teacher trainings are available in level 1 through level 5 classes.
YogaFit is found in a growing number of gyms around the country. Beginning in Los Angeles, YogaFit can be found in cities around the country. To find a YogaFit instructor, you can visit their website at yogafit.com.