Tight hips, stiffness in the tights, and soreness in the calves muscles are a few side effects of running. Adding yoga to your routine can help to prevent discomfort in the muscles.
Runners can benefit from yoga in many aspects, both physical and mental.
What makes yoga good for runners?
# 1 Yoga improves your mobility
Runners move mostly in a sagittarian movement, front and back. On the contrary, in yoga, there is a more extensive range of motions. Runners target mobility in their hips, knees, and ankles to move faster in their run. During yoga practice, you stretch the muscles that support these joints, gluteus, hamstrings, quads, and calves.
In addition, performing yoga for runners after a run helps to release all the tension, stiffness, and tightness in the muscles that can cause pain.
#2 Yoga helps you to prevent injury
Weak and tight hamstrings, quadriceps, weak glutes or hips, or tight calves can lead to higher injury by compensation.
Regular yoga practice contributes to building strong joints, ligaments, and bones.
In addition, stretching your muscles after your run removes the tension and pain that could make you more prone to injuries.
#3 Yoga is perfect preparation for a run
Studies show that you will feel less the sensation of effort after having warmed up the body properly. By doing dynamic yoga warm-ups, you reduce the risk of injuries and prepare your mind and body for the effort.
#4 Yoga boosts your focus and your breath awareness
In yoga practice, the breath is omnipresent and plays a significant role. In every type of yoga from hatha to vinyasa or yin you connect to your breath to prepare your body for the practice, to hold poses, or pass from one pose to another.
With the yoga practice, you will eventually take the habit of connecting to your breath and gain awareness of it.
When things get challenging in your run, the habits of connecting to your breath and your inner self can help you to overcome some discomfort moments and remain focused.
In conclusion, yoga helps to develop physical and mental stamina. It will help you to build awareness and focus while maintaining mobility and flexibility in key joints, muscles, and ligaments.