While yoga is not generally a calorie-torcher (though there are some cardio yoga sculpt classes with weights), Gahan said it can be a good exercise for recovery day, even for maintenance of health, mindfulness, and repair. As there's a lot of posing, stability work, flexibility work, and stretching in yoga, it really opens up the body and helps loosen tension.
Once that tension is released, you'll feel less sore and feel more agile in your more intense, calorie-boosting workouts, she said.
This can be especially beneficial for those who leave those group fitness classes without a stretch and who don't stretch at home, either. Yoga can be an excuse to do some pigeon poses and other opening exercises to help repair muscle damage.
Also, the same applies for Pilates, said Gahan, which can also focus on activating muscles and burning calories, without being a high-intensity workout.
