I need help with this decision. All opinions welcome!

[Getzeng50s]

The title says it all.

[jonesbrass]

What do you want to achieve? I am a former martial art and self defense instructor, so I voted for that, but depending on what you want to achieve, yoga may be a better bet for you. Details?

[Barney]

I love martial arts, but injuries are a real factor.

A colleague of mine who plays trombone finally gave up on Tae Kwon Do after getting hit in the chops too many times. It was never intentional, but happened.

Personally, I'm about 80% back from a knee reconstruction surgery, from a fall I took in a grappling class. I was working on take-downs with a partner, and our feet got tangled up. A fluke injury, but it cost me alot of rehab time and thousands in missed work. That being said, I'll probably go back when I'm 100%. I really have a passion for it.

So my heart says martial arts, but my brain (and my vote) say yoga.

[The Jackson]

Go for the yoga. Whoever you play with will be glad that you got the farts out!

[rocksanddirt]

my vote was for yoga. both martial arts and yoga will increase the flexibility, core strength, and focus of your whole body.

however the potential of getting a boot to the head is much higher when studying a martial art, rather than yoga.

[averagejoe]

Yoga will help your playing, breathing!

[joshwirt]

I like doing yoga on my Wii Fit

[lgb&dtuba]

[Matt G]

Your age/conditioning might be a factor to weigh here. My path would be to suggest Tai Chi Chuan. Tai Chi will give you a good bit of the core workout/stress relief that yoga does, but mostly while standing, if that matters. Also, if you choose to move forward to another martial art like Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, etc. you will have some of the basic forms in mind and a lot of the coordination. Tai Chi in and of itself is a very powerful martial art when practiced at "full speed".

[bearphonium]

It really depends on what you want out of this. Both are good for teaching/learning elements of body/mind awareness and connection; both will have positive impacts on your musicianship. There is an element of stress management with both, and either is a good break from the daily grind. There are benefits to leaning combat skills; with that come the attendent risks of injury.

That said, I suggested martial arts (reflecting a personal bias) and think that Tai Chi is a good compromise to the injury bug. If there are other factors at play (such as the scenery of your class mates) yoga could offer more benefit in that area.

[Thomas Maurice Booth]

How about Pilates?

I've been doing Pilates for a couple of years now and really enjoy it. I have tried yoga, but found that for me I preferred the workout (a little more movement and less position holding) I got by doing Pilates. I have noticed my core is stronger and more toned, and I no longer have back pain at the end of the day. You can pick up a Yoga or Pilates DVD for less than $10, so give each one a go to see if either one works for you.

TMB

[JHardisk]

I'm married to a RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher with 200 hour certification) who is pursuing her 500 hour certification before a pilgrimage to Mysore, India in her future. Hence, I voted Yoga.

Yoga is a wonderful tool for fitness and spirituality, if you're so inclined. I personally enjoy the fitness aspect only. My wife is on a completely different level with her involvement, and it's a similar passion to what I have for music.

You can't go wrong with yoga classes... it's gentle on the body if done correctly (you're not likely to get this from a cheap DVD), and incredibly helpful with breathing. Plus, it's not unusual to have eye candy in your class. I should know... I'm married to a serious hottie.

Martial arts are surely beneficial, but I can imagine the risk of injury is far higher. Yoga, when done correctly is very gentle and adjustable to your own level. And, I'll mention yet again, the eye candy factor...

[eupher61]

Take a few TKD classes, then go to Yoga. If the yoga instructor is too "into it", use the martial arts you've learned to destroy the New Age items in the room, then go back to TKD.