Yoga Help

im2lexi4myshirt
im2lexi4myshirt Posts: 23
in Fitness and Exercise
I have always been into sports and basically anything that involves the gym (elliptical, running, stairclimber, free weights, stationary bike, etc.) My problem is that I want to start doing yoga but I don't have the patience. Also, it burns little to no calories so I feel like I could be running and burning way more. However, I know that yoga is good for flexibility and balance and will help me do other sports. How do I overcome my anti-yoga mindset? Thanks!

Replies

  • extraordinary_machine
    extraordinary_machine Posts: 3,028 Member
    There was a great article that was linked to the Yogaglo FB page from some magazine called Triathlete Europe. Here's the first paragraph: "Yoga serves as the perfect cross-training for triathletes for its restorative benefits and ability to build body awareness.

    “When I began practicing yoga, I realised I really was not using my body prop- erly,” says Kona qualifier and certified yoga instructor Allison Woodward. “I was pounding each day on my feet instead of utilising my feet to make them stronger. I had horrible posture from being hunched over on a bike. I thought my core was strong, but it really wasn’t. Through yoga, I learned how to use each part of my body more efficiently.”

    Don't think of yoga as a major calorie burning think ( although some vinyasa practices can burn a couple hundred calories in an hour.) Think of it as something that will enhance your athletic endeavors.

    Tiffany Cruikshshank used to work for Nike as their yoga person and she does a ton of yoga instruction that's focused on yoga for different sports so she might be a good person to check out. Yoga helps me overcome DOMS after a squat PR, and strength training has helped me do some cool arm balances in yoga...the don't have to be mutually exclusive.

    So, hope that helps!
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    My problem is that I want to start doing yoga but I don't have the patience. However, I know that yoga is good for flexibility and balance and will help me do other sports.

    I'm going to get flamed for this, but personally i think yoga is a bit over-rated for improving flexibility and balance. You can get similar benefits just by stretching your problem areas a few minutes a day. For sports, agility is far more important than balancing while stationary. Check Youtube for agility drills for the sports you play.

    For good posture, just stand up straight. :wink:
  • extraordinary_machine
    extraordinary_machine Posts: 3,028 Member
    No flaming here...everyone's entitled to their own opinion. As a soccer player, I found I was able to bounce back faster after games after I started doing yoga rather than just stretching. Maybe it was due to the fact that doing a practice "forced" me to stretch and hold it, rather than me just sitting there stretching. *shrug*

    I also enjoy yoga because it gives me a space to center myself, blah, blah, blah, so I get the physical benefits with mental benefits as well. OP: if you really don't think you'll have the patience for yoga, then don't do it. But if you'd truly like to explore it, do and make the decision for yourself.

    edited for spelling

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