Can combining yoga with strength training give your body a total workout? Read this excerpt from Iron Yoga, a method that combines yoga poses with light dumbbells, and find out if it's the right workout for you.

The Iron Yoga Warm-Up Sequence is designed to awaken your muscles and prepare your body for the invigorating workout that follows. Most important, this sequence will help you connect with all the muscle groups of your body. Developing a steady breathing rhythm and synchronizing the movement with the breath are the essence of Iron Yoga.

The foundation pose for this warm-up is one of the most basic yoga poses ‑- Mountain Pose. Mountain Pose improves your posture and focus.

Chair pose, which you'll also be doing in this sequence, generates heat and warmth in your body. After eight breaths in this pose, your legs will be screaming!

The biceps are one of the easiest muscle groups to feel and connect with, and that's why I've included the High-Arm Hammer Curl in this warm-up. This exercise will be your first opportunity to perform a static contraction. Learn, understand and feel what it's like to engage the muscle and create a peak contraction for the muscle with your breath and powerful mind-muscle connection. You'll be returning to Mountain Pose many times throughout the Iron Yoga practice. This strong standing pose will allow you to refocus and reconnect with the breath, especially after an intense pose or sequence of poses. If you get tired or need a break during the practice, you can simply return to Mountain Pose.