Comments on: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Yoga, Running and Life

By: RunTraveler

RunTraveler — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think, as with all things, we need to know our bodies well enough to know when to push and when to ease off. A good yoga teacher will encourage that sort of middle ground and will give helpful guidance about proper form.

Unfortunately there are some not-good teachers out there, and poor yoga form can lead to serious injury.

I'd say start slow and listen to your body! (Just like running.)

By: wanderlust262

wanderlust262 — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

A mental high five to you. I started doing yoga 5 years ago off and on and was very skeptical of the 'spiritual BS' that went along with it. I've found that my running always feels a whole lot better when I am practicing consistently and now I even enjoy the feel of a good 'Om' at the end of class. Good luck if you choose to stick with it. It'll open you up :-)

By: Mark N.

Mark N. — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I use a few yoga stretches in my stretching routine post-workout. Important for a runner to achieve a balance between muscle strength/power and and flexibility, I think. Prevents injury.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I went to several yoga classes with my wife, I enjoyed it and as it turns out, I had better balance standing on one leg that many of the non-runners, longtime yoggis in the room. However, I had to stop going because I ended up injuring my right knee doing some of the extensions/twists (no idea what it was called, some pigeon thingy, I can't remember). I've never injured a knee by running, though. So no more yoga for me; it will be a while until and if I decide to try again. This just goes to show that yoga is not as gentle as portrayed, it can be harder than running sometimes, and increased flexibility can be detrimental. Something to keep in mind, that's all.

Gabe

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Honestly, I'd love to give it a try. I'd even consider giving up running during the winter as a cross-training for it. My younger brother has done well with it (I honestly doubt he'd be as flexible as he is after ACL surgery without it).

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I'm keen on yoga (I've been doing yoga longer than I've been running), and find the two things complementary. The focus and centering you develop through yoga practice is enormously helpful. It's a non-competitive activity, so there should be no shame or embarassment. And we need to recognize that most men, not to mention most runners, are less flexible than most women (and most yoga practitioners and instructors are women). It may be worth searching out male instructors and men-only classes

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Great! I, too, just recently attended my first yoga class with my fiance (now wife) and had much of the same fear. It turned out that I liked it a lot and hope to start practicing twice a week in the new year. I'm hoping that the added flexibility and core/upper body strength will help me finally earn that BQ.

I'm sure you'll see similar results in flexibility and improvement in TKD and running if you continue.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Gabe.

I don't disagree - between me and my wife, I don't tend to get injured running, and she is chronically injured as a result of running. Is there a yoga connection? No idea, but there certainly may be some risk involved if you don't have a knowledgeable teacher who knows when not to push it.

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