Yoga For Athletes, Gym Rats & Cardio Queens
When I say athlete, I am not talking about the olympic gold medalists here but all of YOU who dedicate yourselves to living a fit lifestyle.
This yoga practice is for all my runners, gym rats and cardio queens that could use a wicked stretch (as we all know flexible muscles are strong muscles) and could also use some time to ground, centre and tune into our inner voice.
It is also for those of you who still struggle to feel positive about your training.
To me, running and training is simply another form of yoga because it gives me the feeling of union in my body, mind and spirit.
Trust me, this wasn't always the case. I used to really resent/dread training years ago.
It was all about the INTENTION that I was setting for myself when it came to my training. For me, training used to represent a means to an end...the way for me to achieve the physique that I wanted and manipulate my body through what used to feel like physical torture.
By shifting my intention for my training to one of healing, self-respect and self-love, it has become more like a yoga practice and is now fully integrated as a lifestyle. I look forward to my training and after putting my body through what I did, I never imagined I'd ever feel that way.
For those of you who struggle with training, try setting an intention that is separate from any physical goals that you are trying to achieve.
Here are some of my favourite poses to balance your training and help you become faster, stronger and more agile and help you to integrate your training and intention for training.
Before practicing these poses, take a few moments to ground your energy by sitting down and setting an intention. Use this intention each time you train that week and then shift it for the next week or when you naturally feel called to do so.
1. Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III) - Straighten both legs and firmly plant your left foot into the mat. Raise your right leg so that it is parallel to your hip, keeping both hips aligned. Straighten your arms and hold them out in front of you in prayer or folded at your heart.
Hold for 5-10 breaths and repeat on the opposite side.
2. Crescent Moon Pose (Anjanyeasana) - Come into a lunge pose bringing your left knee down to the mat and your right leg at 90 degrees. Extend at the waist, straighten your arms and place your hands in prayer. Inhale as you bring your arms and hands over your head, stretching your hip flexor and abdomen.
Hold for 10-20 breaths and repeat on the opposite side.
3. Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) - Stand with your legs 3 ft apart right toes pointing forward, left toes in at 45 degrees, both legs straight. Raise your arms up to shoulder height, take a deep breath and reach your right fingertips forward in space. Bend at the waist and hold your right big toe, ankle or shin raising your left hand to the sky and gaze at your left fingertips.
Hold for 10-20 breaths and repeat on the opposite side.
4. Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) - Bring your right shin parallel to the front of your mat with your ankel flexed and your right sit bone to the mat. Stretch your left leg and toes toward the back of the mat and square your pelvis. Breathe here until your hip begins to open and then lean forward resting your chest on your shin or as far down as possible.
Hold for 25-50 breaths. Repeat on the opposite side.
5. Cow Face/Shoelace Pose (Gomukhasana) - Sit on your right sit bone bringing your right leg over your left leg (like a shoelace), stacking your knees, whilst flexing both ankels. Lengthen your spine and breath into your outer hips.
Hold for 15-20 breaths. Repeat on the opposite side.
With regular practice of these yoga asanas, you will notice your tendons, ligaments and joints strengthen, improved flexibility and a better quality of muscle tissue which will greatly improve the quality of the muscles you are building and will help you to stay more conscious about your intentions around why you are really training and help you to shift your intention to make training a more integrated and natural part of your lifestyle.
