strength training and ashtanga yoga?

[Guest guest]

Hi! A question for experienced practitioners out

there: Is it necessary for a 52-year-old woman in

menopause(myself) to do some basic weight-training in addition to

beginner ashtanga yoga practice? I've been practicing for

a year and 3 months, and am able to get through the

standing series of the primary series, and on a really

good day I can do some of the floor asanas that follow

the standing exercises, and I always finish with the

last four exercises in the closing segment. I used to

train with weights for many years before I got into

this form of yoga 15 months ago, and at the time I was

told that it was very strenthening. Just recently I

read that ashtanga improves isometric strength, and

weight-training works on dynamic, or isotonic strength, and is

more efficient at building and keeping muscle and

bones strong. I've been off weights for the last

fifteen months.One thing I'll say however, yoga has

prevented me from getting carpal tunnel syndrome and I do

spend a good amount of time at my computer(I had carpal

tunnel syndrome before and got acupuncture treatments

which absolutely fixed that situation within 3

treatments!) At the rate I'm going, it will take me forever to

get through the entire primary series, and I read

somewhere else that in order to get the full effect of

ashtanga yoga one has to do the entire primary series six

days per week. I'm up to 5 days on the asanas I'm able

to do, and I don't have access to classes because I

live out in a rural area. Oh, yes, also I do fast

walking 30-35 miles per week, which I definitely need so

I can get out of the house. Any input on this would

be valuable.