Yoga

Yoga has been a big part of my life for decades now - I have attended classes but consider myself mainly self-taught from books and videos. A few years ago I went to Bikram Yoga (hot yoga) 6-7 days a week for over 5 months straight after my kettlebell workouts and a run. I enjoyed it but as my focus was on kettelbell sport at the time the length of class became an issue and I felt my focus would be better served with returning to home yoga and shorter sessions for overall recovery and health. With the ultra running I'm in the same boat as before - I don't feel that I can shift my focus to longer yoga classes while training for an upcoming 100 mile event. None the less yoga is a mainstay in my training plan and lately I have been exploring a bit more of Ashtanga Yoga also known by some as Power Yoga. My main focus has been on the Sun Salutation for recovery after my workout or run -

 

 

Here is an excellent tutorial for beginning the Sun Salutation. This is a little more "dynamic" then my normal practice of the Sun Salutation but I'm enjoying it and it doesn't seem to be cutting into my recover at all at this time. I plan on expanding  my practice through the upcoming days and perhaps take a class for a little more hands on instruction. I definitely believe that some form of yoga should be included in all athletes training plans and Ashtanga focuses as much on the spiritual as physical bring a much needed balance to an athletes life. It's worth a try.

 

Peace,

Eric