HOW TO COMBINE YOGA AND RUNNING IN YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE

By Kevin Jones

Many runners want to make yoga into a regular habit but aren’t sure where to start. On the flip side, plenty of yogis can see the benefits of adding running into their routine but aren’t sure where to start. 

No matter which category you fall into, there are several ways you can combine yoga and running for more complete health and wellness.

Warm-Up For Your Run With Yoga

When it comes to running, many of the common injuries and issues that runners struggle with is due to inadequate warm-ups. However, simply doing static stretches isn’t enough. In fact, doing static stretches before you are warmed up can end up hurting you. Instead of dealing with unexpected stretching injuries, you can use yoga to strengthen your body for your workout.

Not all types of yoga are suited to help you warm-up for your run. Quite a few styles of yoga are best for meditation and centering yourself. So, if you are looking to get ready to run, choose a more high-energy style of yoga, like Vinyasa or Hatha yoga, if you are a beginner. 

Use Yoga As Part Of Your Cool-Down

Post-run, it is likely that all you want to do is sit down and drink a ton of water. While drinking plenty of water is a great idea, going from running or jogging straight to being still and sitting down can be detrimental to your recovery process. 

Some people try to do static stretches at the end of their run. At this point, you are warmed up enough not to hurt yourself with static stretches. The problem is that static stretches generally only focus on one mechanical movement.

Instead of doing single-benefit movements, a great time to do yoga is after your run. For one thing, research has shown that yoga helps to increase full-body flexibility, improve muscular strength, as well as promote better cardiovascular and respiratory functionality. All these benefits complement running and can help you improve as a runner. 

Also, taking the time to do at least 10-20 minutes of yoga after your run can help you assess the state of your body. Performing a type of yoga that centers around alignment and form—such as Anusara or Iyengar—can help you reconnect with your body and assess if you have any problem spots developing. 

Cross-Train Using Yoga

Yoga is excellent as a stand-alone workout with all the health and wellness benefits that come with the regular practice of yoga. However, if you are a runner, there are areas of your body that are not as engaged while running, which includes different muscles and ligaments in your legs. 

So, if you are a runner, then you will need to take at least 1-2 days off from running to do different workouts to address the rest of your body. On these days, why not do yoga as your cross-training?

Making time to go to a yoga class like Bikram yoga or do a more lengthy yoga workout is a great way to rest from your high-impact exercise and care for your body. 

By finding ways to blend your running and yoga together, you can enjoy the associated health benefits, which can keep you fit for far longer than one type of exercise alone.

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