Kickboxing existed long before Billy Blanks started polluting late-night television, just as yoga did for centuries before its recent renaissance. Kickboxing is a competitive sport that originated in America in the early 1970s and was popularized by Chuck Norris in blockbusters like Good Guys Wear Black. It is a hybrid of boxing, karate, Thai boxing, and tae kwon do. (Though, to be honest, Chuck was more of a karate enthusiast than a kickboxer.) The sport's guiding tenets, like those of most martial arts, include self-respect, discipline, and control, while its style is best described as practical. And Guy Mezger, owner of Freestyle Martial Arts in Dallas and coauthor of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Kickboxing, says, "It's the most efficient way of stand-up fighting" (Alpha Books, 2000).

Kickboxing is also one of the most efficient ways of whipping yourself into shape, as Billy himself tells you (admit it—you've seen his infomercial at least once). Kickboxing in all of its forms, from fitness classes to light sparring to full-fledged fighting, requires nearly every muscle and ounce of energy your body has to offer. "There are tremendous physical demands," says Mezger, a world-champion kickboxer. "It works all angles of your body and uses both aerobic and anaerobic reserves," says the author.

Kickboxing matches are divided into 12 rounds of two minutes each, with a one-minute break in between. In addition to throwing various punches and knee and elbow strikes, each competitor must execute—and defend against—at least eight above-the-waist kicks per round.

When it comes to the demands of a noncompetitive class, all you have to do is look at the sweat-soaked T-shirts of people streaming out of a hot cardio-kick class at the gym to see how demanding the sport is.

The physical challenge is matched by a distinct mentality Mezger refers to as the fighter's edge—a fearless, never-say-die attitude. When someone whacks you in the ring, you don't just lay down, "he explains." "You can be as competitive with yourself as you are with others," he says, referring to those who never intend to be whacked.

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Despite their apparent differences—one implies violence, while the other implies peace—kickboxing and yoga share philosophies, including a holistic approach to wellness. Every muscle contributes to each punch and kick, just as it does to successfully performing Trikonasana (Triangle Pose). "In kickboxing, you don't really isolate any muscles," Mezger says.

In both disciplines, technique is more important than raw muscle power; in Ardha Matsyendrasana I (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose), you can twist further on an exhale than if you just try to twist. According to Mezger, if a woman has better technique than a heavier man in kickboxing, she can take him down.

Both yoga and kickboxing, albeit in different ways, relieve stress and anger on an emotional level. Similarly to how an hour of yoga can leave you feeling calm and focused, pounding on a punching bag can help you let go of your frustrations. "As a kid, I was pretty intense," Mezger admits. "Martial arts gave me a way to channel my energy in a positive way."

Finally, both require razor-sharp mental focus. Who hasn't been thrown out of Vrksasana (Tree Pose) by a wandering gaze? In kickboxing, a scattered mind has similar—and more dangerous—effects: "The second your mind wanders, your opponent moves in," Mezger explains. Mezger, who competes in karate, judo, and freestyle fighting, can also develop an inner calmness by practicing martial arts. He adds that knowing how to confidently defend oneself can bring women additional peace of mind.

Given these parallels, it stands to reason that regular yoga practice would be beneficial to a kickboxer's routine. For the past year, Mezger has been going to yoga classes once a week. He's noticed an improvement in joint stability, flexibility, and the strength of certain tendons, and he credits yoga with relieving the pain of his chronic shoulder tendonitis and strengthening his lower back. Mezger is so convinced of yoga's benefits that he recommends it to all of his students, from beginners to professionals. "Climbing into the ring is a terrifying experience, especially the first time," he says. "Yoga teaches focus and calmness."

One of the many advantages of yoga is a sense of inner calm. Using the serenity of Savasana (Corpse Pose) or learning to use breath to stabilize a difficult asana are two skills that can be applied to any sport, particularly one that requires quick reflexes. Despite its intimidating appearance, kickboxing requires a narrow focus similar to that of a chess player, which is achieved by practicing regular, deep breathing.

Yoga also improves kickboxing's four major weapons: the left leg, right leg, left arm, and right arm. Offensive kicks and knee strikes are the most common uses for the legs. Both moves necessitate hip flexibility and leg strength, as well as excellent balance on the nonkicking leg. Roundhouse kicks, for example, engage the hip flexors, gluteus medius and minimus, quads, hamstrings, and calf muscles as the hip moves through nearly its entire range of motion.

Hanumanasana (the Splits) is the most natural asana to work on hip flexibility, says Michael Lechonczak, a senior yoga instructor at Equinox Health Clubs in New York City. "In addition, Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose) strengthens the standing leg while opening up the other leg in a dynamic, functional manner."

Kickboxing is only about 35% kicks, despite its name leading you to believe otherwise. Due to genetic strength distribution, "kicking skills are just as important as boxing skills," Mezger says, adding that women rely more on their legs than men due to genetic strength distribution.

The ability to create a defensive position to protect your face and upper body requires agile arms. And powerful punches and elbow strikes require every muscle in your body, from your pecs to your triceps. The power originates in the feet, travels through the legs, is amplified by hip rotation, and then transmitted to the chest and arms through the core muscles. Arms, abs, and back strength are developed in asanas like Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow Pose) and Purvottanasana (Intense Front-Body Stretch). These asanas also help to open up the front of the body. "Both are powerful poses that exude a lot of energy," says Lechonczak.