I was invited to chat with Dr Cath, a Sports & Exercise Medicine Consultant, who runs SportDoc London earlier this year, to talk about the benefits of yoga for runners.
It’s a question I do get asked by runners. But why add yoga into your mix when it’s often hard to fit another activity into your week?
There are of course lots of different reasons to do so.
For a runner who wants to see how it can directly benefit them – and their running – here are just five good reasons for starters.
🔸Balance. Having good one legged balance is key in running, after all – by its very nature you are always running on one foot. It means you are less likely to ‘lose your footing’ over uneven ground.
🔸Breath Control. Focussing on using our full diaphragm (belly) breath, thereby using full lung capacity, provides increased oxygen.
🔸Upper body strength. Provides extra drive for forward motion and helps maintain good body posture.
🔸Builds core strength. Having a strong core aids good posture that in turn means you have more stability and putting less pressure on your lower back whilst running.
🔸Flexibility. Runners often suffer with tight hamstrings and hip flexors; by gaining greater flexibility provides for a greater range of movement.
In all my yoga classes we cover poses and ‘yoga flows’ that incorporate all of these important benefits, some of which include the following:
Main pic: 1. Side Plank, strengthens the arms, abdominal muscles, legs and wrists
Small pic 1: Upward Dog, upper body strength, opens the chest and shoulders
Small pic 2: Tree, improves balance, strengthens ankles, calves, thighs and spine
Small pic 3: Downward Dog, stretches calves, hanstrings, strengthens the shoulders
You can watch my full conversation with Dr Cath – it’s not in my comfort zone but hey, I’m only human! We can’t be comfortable at everything we do straight away, can we? So in my mantra of #betterdonethanperfect watch my video discussing why yoga is a great partner for runners.
Thank you Dr Cath for the invitation and for making it as comfortable for me as possible!
If you want to find out more about my yoga classes, private 1-2-1 yoga and how to introduce yoga into your office - all of which can be offered online live-streamed via Zoom, get in touch – I’d love to hear from you hello@yogawithvickib.com
My Yoga Retreats will recommence as soon as possible. If you are interested, find out more about my UK and Kalkan retreats, I'll be happy to chat.
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