Michael attaends Louises classes regularly and here's what he has to say about how yoga has helped counter the physical strain of his althletic pursuits.
I had been practicing yoga sporadically until I became injured from a series of crashes (mostly on my right hip) while mountain biking in the fall a few years ago. My right hip experienced reduced mobility as well as stiffness and low grade pain while sitting. After I started attending hatha yoga classes regularly (2-3 a week) the stiffness and pain was greatly reduced within a few weeks. I found the concept of breath to achieve muscle relaxation (and thus reduced muscle pain) to be a bit incredulous. Yet to my utter surprise it was quite evident that it was working. Over the last 6-7 years I have trained for and run a number of marathons and other long distance races. Being an older runner, I have needed to train smarter. Cross training has become an integral part of that process. Yoga is a key component of my cross training. Yoga not only gives my legs a break from running while improving my fitness, but it restores the flexibility and strength (in my legs and hips) that the impact of running erodes. Thus I can train longer injury-free...which is critical for runners of all distances. In addition there are invaluable “supplementary” benefits as well like relaxation, meditation, stress release, etc. I maintain that I came because of the injuries, but I continue to stay for the peace of mind.
-Michael
I had been practicing yoga sporadically until I became injured from a series of crashes (mostly on my right hip) while mountain biking in the fall a few years ago. My right hip experienced reduced mobility as well as stiffness and low grade pain while sitting. After I started attending hatha yoga classes regularly (2-3 a week) the stiffness and pain was greatly reduced within a few weeks. I found the concept of breath to achieve muscle relaxation (and thus reduced muscle pain) to be a bit incredulous. Yet to my utter surprise it was quite evident that it was working. Over the last 6-7 years I have trained for and run a number of marathons and other long distance races. Being an older runner, I have needed to train smarter. Cross training has become an integral part of that process. Yoga is a key component of my cross training. Yoga not only gives my legs a break from running while improving my fitness, but it restores the flexibility and strength (in my legs and hips) that the impact of running erodes. Thus I can train longer injury-free...which is critical for runners of all distances. In addition there are invaluable “supplementary” benefits as well like relaxation, meditation, stress release, etc. I maintain that I came because of the injuries, but I continue to stay for the peace of mind.
-Michael
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