If someone would ask me to put together the top 10 P90X questions that I get asked, “Do I have to do Yoga?” is definitely one of them! The funny thing about it is that it’s never asked my women, but rather men. For some reason men dread this workout, and would rather do any other workout other than Yoga X! So, quickly, here is a list of reasons why we hate Yoga:
(1) Too long.
(2) Way too boring.
(3) Pretty embarrassing.
That about sums up that amazing workout. So I just want to tell all you guys asking “Do I have to do Yoga,” that it’s OK, you don’t have to do the workout because there are no benefits whatsoever. Just kidding! As much as we have to do this workout, there are a ton of benefits!
First, though, I have to share a quick story. When I first started P90X, I worked out with my best friend Jeremy. We were there to push one another and make sure we both stayed committed to both the diet and workouts, including Yoga X. Now, you have to picture this: two college sports players, one football and the other baseball, doing the downward dog position right next to one another. Yeah, it would have been hilarious to see (which nobody did of course), but as much as we hated it, we made sure we got through the entire thing. So what are the benefits?
(1) Increased flexibility. When I first started the program, I have to admit that my flexibility sucked. Yeah, it was that bad. I couldn’t even touch my toes while keeping my legs straight. After my first round, however, my flexibility had increased substantially!
(2) Increased core strength. When you’re holding some of those positions, you really have to engage your entire core. Core strength is especially important if you play sports!
(3) Better balance.
(4) Better posture. Yoga helps you stand and sit “taller.”
(5) Muscle tone. From supporting your own weight in many of the moves, your strength increases, therefore your muscle tone will also increase.
If you are one of those people who are wondering if you should do Yoga or what the benefits of Yoga are, then now you know! Use Yoga as a time to relax and clear the mind, letting go of all worries.
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I just “finished” yoga this morning. It was my first attempt and it was extremely tough. I could not do half of the routine. Were you able to do the entire routine first time? I guess Yoga X is going to have to stay in my routine.
Yoga is a very tough workout because you’re really pushing your body to the extreme with all the different poses. I was able to complete it the first time, but it was ugly.
Tried Yoga tonight for the first time, was real difficult for me. Couldn’t do half of the stuff, my biggest problem is that my right shoulder tends to get sore and the downward dog seems to put a ton of strain on it for some reason, and considering most of the poses begin from that, I’m having a tough time staying into it, by the hour make I was ready to call it quits. I’ve been away from lifting because of an injury to my shoulder that I let heal, and even lifting weights doesn’t seem to bother it as much as this yoga. Just frustrated because I want to do the whole work out, as I’ve been doing them daily and dieting, but when my shoulder starts aching 10 minutes into this 90 minute work out, I’m likely not going to be able to make it through the whole work out. Would substituting x-stretch and some cardio be an alternative or should I just stick with the yoga and do what I can? Thanks.
If Yoga is really bothering your shoulder that bad, then substitute it with Cardio X. You don’t want to risk injuring the shoulder again.
Hey I love doing the Yoga X, but it was difficult for me b/c it was ma first time doing any sort of Yoga ever in ma life. Did you use the Yoga blocks? Should I get one Yoga block or two Blocks?
Yeah, I highly recommend the Yoga blocks if you really struggle with the workout. I used to hate Yoga when I first started, but now it’s one of my favorite workouts! There are a ton of benenfits!
Hey Josh,
Started p90x about a week and half ago. I skipped the yoga first week and then tried it this week. I found that my wrists started to hurt while doing some of the exercises. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I was only able to get about half way thru. Has anyone else had this problem. I ended up kind of making fists instead to ease the pain. Any thoughts……… Thanks
PS, Gonna try some of those performance bars.
Most people have issues with their wrists with the push-ups, not so much Yoga. I’m actually not too sure if there is anything you can do about it either, other than see a doctor.
Hey Josh, what post workout nutrition do you recommend for yoga?
Recovery Formula.
I am overweight…6’0 314lbs. I am on my second week of P90X Doubles routine. When I started I was 325. I really like the yoga but I find the very beggining vinyassa’s very difficult. My hands and wrists begin to hurt a lot. I want to keep yoga in my routine as I am training for the Police Academy and flexability is very essential to the job. Is there a way to sub it without losing it all together? or any advice all together? I would appreciate any tips u have for me.
Hey John! Believe me, I struggled with Yoga just as much as you are when I first started the program! You just have to keep pushing along and complete the workout. You should make progress from week to week! Also, have you made me your coach yet? If not, you can do so by clicking on this link: https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free/11685
Hi josh i wanted to thankyou for this article. I started p90x this week and yesterday was my yogax day. My kids drove me bat poo crazy so i had to quit 20 min in, i had thought about scrapping it all together but after reading this, i will wake up before the rug-rats next week and get this down as part of my routine.
Thanks
@Jill. Yoga is an important part of the program and has a TON of benefits!
Hey Josh! it was my first week of p90x and i couldnt get through the yoga. for some reason my body didnt feel comfortable and my back of the neck started getting all cramped.do u have any suggestion on why this happens?
THANKS!
@Lee. You probably didn’t feel comfortable because it’s something that your body isn’t used to. Just keep pushing yourself and each week you should make progress.
Also, have you made me your coach yet? If not, you can do so by clicking on this link: https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free/47458
here’s another benefit, probably the most important!
A lot of the poses you do in Yoga X are in positions similar to what you do in all the other workouts. I think this is intentional, and is why you shouldn’t sub out Yoga X for another yoga dvd. Doing Yoga X helps you get better at doing the other workouts AND prevents you from injuring yourself while doing them.
Josh, I’m extremely unflexible and I find that when I got to warrior 1, my hip begins to hurt (not a good pain). It feels like my hip is about to pop out. This then affects the rest of my workout. I’m on week 4 and it hasn’t gotten any better. What would you suggest.
@Matt. You might want to see a doctor bro.
I suspect many women don’t ask as they aren’t looking to get ripped. My wife isn’t particularly fond of getting “Man Back”
The issues I have with Yoga X:
I’m currently not getting much out of the workout. Not that it’s easy, but it’s too hard. Between me being out of shape, and lower back problems. I spend more time on my knees, than “Upward/Downward Dog”.
I don’t want to give up on it, I definitely would LOVE to tackle all 120mins (heck just the first 45).
I just feel I would be better served swapping it for PlyoX until week 6, when I drop a few more.. get a bit more fit, and then have the chance to do at least 75%.
As it stands now, I basically just sit there and groan on my knees because my lower back pain (*ward dog).
Lastly, every workout I’ve done speaks of “modification”, “change is the spice”, all kinds of modifications based on different fit levels. Why is it that Yoga X seems to be the one and only you can’t “modify”?
@Rob0. Yoga is one of the toughest workouts, especially for us men who like to lift weights and have no patience whatsoever! Even though it’s one of the toughest workouts, though, it’s also one of the most beneficial. In fact, Tony calls it the “fountain of youth!” All I can tell you is to keep pushing yourself and attempt to complete it. What you could do is attempt to get through 30 minutes of it and then switch to Plyo. The key is to continue making progress with it so that you can make it through the entire thing!
Also, have you made me your coach yet? If not, you can do so by going to the link below, and I’ll be here to help you through the program and answer any questions that you have. It’s free btw.
https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free/47458
I started P90X on 4/30/11 and did YogaX for the first time last week. I found the poses extremely complicated and difficult for the yoga newbie. There’s no real instruction on how you should feel or how it should look. I talked to a friend and decided this week to try an On-Demand Beginner’s Yoga program to get a clue about poses. I figured out how to do them, but now I find it completely BORING. I really dislike yoga. Any other options??
@Sharon. Unfortunately, there isn’t a good substitute for Yoga because of all the benefits!
Hey Josh, tonight I tried to do the yoga x for the first time. I only did about 20 or so minutes because I kept slipping on the carpet and getting irritated. Planning on trying again tomorrow with a mat.
Anyway, I was wondering if it would hinder my results if I started out by only doing about half or less of the yoga x until my body gets stronger after a few weeks of the whole P90X program? I’m sure once my body gets stronger I’ll be better able to do the whole thing through… but if I shorten my workouts for these first few weeks are my physical results going to be drastically different from what they could have been?
@Rachel. Yeah, you can start out with 45 minutes or an hour or so and work your way up to completing the entire workout if it’s that tough for you. However, of course you’ll get the best results by completing the entire thing.
Hi Josh, I’m currently on my second attempt at the p90x program, I had to stop first time round as I tore my groin muscle playing soccer thus now making it impossible to do yogax (posing for warrior on both sides just rips at my groin) my friend recommended swapping yoga for interval x from the p90x plus routine which I have done (tough workout). Do you think that would be ok??
@Bryan. Well, Interval X is completely different than Yoga X and serve two different purposes. However, if you can’t do Yoga due to an injury, then substituting it with something else will be fine.
Hey Josh.
Im new to p90x. I just tried yoga and cant not do it. I have foot surgery and it made me really tight. It hurts when I did yoga. So I stop do you have suggestions. And also I have hear about p90x coach. What are the coach and what do they do. Thanks
@Eric. Hey bro! So your foot hurts when you do Yoga? Have you talked to your doctor and find out what you can/can’t do in regards to exercising? I had hand surgery a few years back, and even though it’s fully healed, it still hurts every once in a while during the workouts. You’re going to want to talk to your doc and see what he thinks.
Also, I help people get through the different programs by supporting and encouraging them, and answering any questions that they have. To make me your coach (it’s free), just click here!
I’m 47 and my flexibility and balance are still as awesome as they were when I was 19! Always has been. Sooooo yoga is boring. What can I replace it with?
@Curt. You’re still not going to want to replace it! I’m not a big fan either, but it’s important that you still do it.