Those of you who know me, or have been reading my blog for a while, know that I tend to be a fair-weather yogi. I try, I really do, but between running and strength training, not to mention work, blogging, and, well, my personal life, yoga is frequently the first thing to go by the wayside in spite of the fact that I know that yoga makes me a better runner.
My health goals this year are all about learning to breathe, as well as to get strong, healthy, and regain my focus, balance my fitness routine, and nothing does that better than a steady yoga practice. So I’ve been trying. And mostly succeeding.
It's true! #Yoga really does make me a better runner. Here's how my #running has improved thanks to my yoga practice. Click To Tweet
How Yoga Makes Me a Better Runner
One of the things that help motivate me (aside from beautiful yoga clothing) is that I know that yoga actually makes me a better runner. So, whenever I feel the urge to skip my yoga class or home workout, I remind myself of all the ways that yoga helps my running.
Yoga makes me stronger
Yoga gives me a lithe and lean strength that enhances running. Where running is quite an unbalancing workout, leaving some muscles stronger than others, yoga helps to even that out. It also strengthens my core and upper body, which is so important for posture and can help reduce fatigue, all of which are important if you want to be a better runner.
Yoga helps my flexibility and mobility
Yoga poses not only strengthen but also enhance flexibility throughout the fascial lines of my body. Joints are taken through their full range of motion, which improves mobility, and corresponding muscles contract or stretch to support the movement. This improves muscle balance, which helps create better running form and protects me against injury.
Yoga helps my balance
Yoga not only balances my strength and flexibility, it also improves my actual balance, which helps me run lighter on my feet. I’ve made note before that running is basically jumping forward from foot to foot, so improving balance improves my form.
Yoga complements my running
Yoga and running are two very different exercises. Where running bounces, jostles, and bounds, yoga calms, flows, and stretches. Two very opposite, yet very complementary activities. It took me a while to realize it, with a gentle hint from my yoga teacher that because of the high intensity of running, the best yoga practice for me would be with flowing, gentle movements. These days I don’t worry if my yoga is not a sweat-fest. I’ve realized what is best for me.
Yoga teaches me to breathe
Most people use short, shallow breaths. Running requires a lot of oxygen, so deep, proper breathing is essential. Yoga is all about breathing.
In Sanskrit, prana means energy, and yoga breathing is called pranayama. Proper breathing in yoga is vital. It helps relieve tension and helps the body flow and bend. It also helps create energy, and learning to breathe properly can help you maintain a steady, full breathing pattern in all phases of running.
One of the things I need to remind myself of when I feel challenged fitting in my yoga practice is that I don’t have to spend 60-90 minutes to get the benefits I need from yoga. It’s much better to fit in 20 or even 10 minutes rather than skipping it altogether.
Do you make yoga a part of your fitness program? Do you feel like it makes you a better runner?
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Ultimate Coffee Date with Deborah and Coco
I’ve always believed that runners cannot continue to stay injury free or keep it all together with running alone. Whether it’s yoga, Pilates or mobility classes, it does a body good. I find this is even more important as we age
I agree. It really doesn’t matter if it’s yoga or weight training, it’s all good and important.
I do a 15-minute yoga-style stretch every day, and it’s been a total game-changer. It borrows from yoga but is tailored to really target those tight, sore muscles and tendons. Sure, 60 – 90 minutes would be ideal – but I figure 15 minutes consistently beats aiming for perfect and doing nothing at all!
That’s a brilliant way to get some yoga into your life.
Yoga is so good and I am so lazy about it. I hate doing it at home, but I also haven’t found a class I enjoy either. Sigh. First world problems.
I love your photos! There’s something about outside yoga that’s even better! Keep it up!
I love outdoor yoga! My favorite studio moved outdoors during Covid and kept it that way ever since. They do move indoors when the weather gets too hot though.