Yoga and Runners, do the two really go together?
Yes! Yoga has many benefits for running and is not as complicated as most people think. Yoga is suitable for all body types and can be started at any age.
Christine Felstead has 6 benefits yoga can have for a runner:
Flexibility - Yoga stretches out tight muscles, increases range of motion and decreases stiffness.
Strength – Runners are strong in ways that relate to running but generally this only involved a sagittal (forward and backward) motion and thus only certain muscles become strong. Yoga uses as many muscles as possible and helps to relax and lengthen tight muscles while building weak muscles and muscle tone. Yoga also includes the whole body while running focuses on the bottom half. Activating the core and upper body helps to improve your posture and thus reduces the risk of injury. “A strong core creates a strong runner” says Christine Felstead.
Biomechanical Balance – Muscular imbalances are caused by overusing some muscles and underusing others. Simple yoga poses include balanced activities using opposing muscle groups, this creates a natural balance of strength and flexilbility. Over time this creates a biomechanical balance.
Inner Body – “all of the body’s systems beyond the muscle groups are worked in yoga, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal, and endocrine systems. Additionally, the internal organs are massaged and oxygenated through yogic breathing and movement in the poses.”
An Energized Body – Most sports and fitness programs deplete the body of its energy stores. Yoga oxygenates the blood and thus creates more energy.
Improved Breathing – “The better the lung capacity is, the more oxygen is circulated through the system, which is most helpful for running long and strong.Yogic breathing involves slow, deep inhalations and long exhalations, making use of the upper, middle, and lower portions of the lungs. Yogic breathing has been shown to increase lung capacity, and greater lung capacity increases endurance and improves overall athletic performance.”
To read the full article or buy the book written by Christine Felstead click here.