The benefits of Yoga for Runners

If you’ve ever had a running injury, then yoga could be a critical piece of your get-faster or get-better plan. Yoga can improving strength, flexibility, and mental focus.

Studies have also shown that yoga squashes stress, aids weight loss, eases pain, helps people stick to an exercise routine, and even improves running times. The strength and flexibility you develop on the mat, namely in the core, quads, hamstrings, and hip flexors, can help you run more efficiently and stay injury-free.

Also, enduring an intense pose is a lot like enduring a long run or tempo run! So it trains your mental as much as it does you muscle.

But for all the good points in Yoga, it still requires a cautious approach. Don’t push too hard or you could end up hurt and frustrated.

Pick the Right Yoga for you.

I like being athletic, so Ashtanga is the Yoga form I like. But from yin yoga to vinyasa, there is a dizzying array of classes to choose from. The consistency of your practice is far more important than the type of yoga you practice. Find a place with teachers you can connect with who understand your needs as a runner. If they scare you off, or you don’t like a pushy teacher, then that class is probably not for you.

Use Yoga Wisely

When your hardcore, full swing into your running, try to pick relaxing Yoga classes. Once you are tapering on your running, you can ramp up the yoga classes. A bit of common sense goes a long way.

If you can’t, Stop!

Runners are very competitive – sometimes you get to a point where you just cannot do the pose, then stop. Or ask the teacher to help modify it. If you go too aggressively you might over stretch, hurt yourself , and then months of running will be down the drain. Always opt for a safe stretch and don’t let them ‘experts’ bully you into going deeper or doing more than you can!

Good luck!