Many people think yoga is nothing more than contorting your body into impossible positions which quickly deters them from trying it. This is a great shame, as there is so much more to a good yoga practice than freaky flexibility.
For example my flexibility it not astonishing by any stretch of the imagination, i certainly can't put my foot behind my head or contort my body into positions it was never meant to be in. However I still derive tremendous benefits from practicing yoga on an almost daily basis. Gone are many of the nagging complaints that I had after years of playing impact sports and lifting heavy weights without doing anything to counter the destructive nature of these activities.
Here is a brief shortlist of some of the many benefits you can derive from taking up yoga;
Strengthen weak or under-active areas of your body
A classic example would be improving the neural link to your glutes which tend to be inhibited by tight hip flexors. Getting your glutes firing properly will help reduce the workload up and down the kinetic chain (hamstrings and lower back) and thus help prevent injuries in these area's.
Release tension from tight over-active muscles
Using the above example there are many yoga poses that help release the tension from your hip flexors (psoas major/minor, iliachus etc). Once excessive tension has been released, the muscle can lengthen to its normal length. This has great knock on effects to your posture and alignment and movement efficiency.
Improving your posture & alignment
Once your body is aligned correctly, you will find every movement you perform becomes easier and more efficient. This can transfer into your strength training and onto the sporting field.
Restore full range of motion to your joints
This not only helps prevent injury but helps you move more freely and effectively.
Relaxing
When practicing yoga, you should focus your mind and eliminate distractions, thoughts and stresses. Combine this mental relaxation with the tension-releasing poses and you have a great stress-busting exercise.
The perfect antidote to high intensity strength & conditioning
Yoga is the perfect supplement to strength and conditioning workouts (be they calisthenics, running, kettlebells, BB's, DB's). Yoga helps maintain a balance to your body which these activities can distort over time.
Getting started
There are many great resources available for yoga newbies including DVD's, Audio Programs and Books (if you are interested I would be happy to recommend some of my favourites). However, nothing beats coaching from a qualified yoga intructor. If you can, it is well worth signing up for a course of classes. Once you have the basics down and feel comfortable with the basic poses you can begin to develop your practice in your own time. You really will feel great for it
For example my flexibility it not astonishing by any stretch of the imagination, i certainly can't put my foot behind my head or contort my body into positions it was never meant to be in. However I still derive tremendous benefits from practicing yoga on an almost daily basis. Gone are many of the nagging complaints that I had after years of playing impact sports and lifting heavy weights without doing anything to counter the destructive nature of these activities.
Here is a brief shortlist of some of the many benefits you can derive from taking up yoga;
Strengthen weak or under-active areas of your body
A classic example would be improving the neural link to your glutes which tend to be inhibited by tight hip flexors. Getting your glutes firing properly will help reduce the workload up and down the kinetic chain (hamstrings and lower back) and thus help prevent injuries in these area's.
Release tension from tight over-active muscles
Using the above example there are many yoga poses that help release the tension from your hip flexors (psoas major/minor, iliachus etc). Once excessive tension has been released, the muscle can lengthen to its normal length. This has great knock on effects to your posture and alignment and movement efficiency.
Improving your posture & alignment
Once your body is aligned correctly, you will find every movement you perform becomes easier and more efficient. This can transfer into your strength training and onto the sporting field.
Restore full range of motion to your joints
This not only helps prevent injury but helps you move more freely and effectively.
Relaxing
When practicing yoga, you should focus your mind and eliminate distractions, thoughts and stresses. Combine this mental relaxation with the tension-releasing poses and you have a great stress-busting exercise.
The perfect antidote to high intensity strength & conditioning
Yoga is the perfect supplement to strength and conditioning workouts (be they calisthenics, running, kettlebells, BB's, DB's). Yoga helps maintain a balance to your body which these activities can distort over time.
Getting started
There are many great resources available for yoga newbies including DVD's, Audio Programs and Books (if you are interested I would be happy to recommend some of my favourites). However, nothing beats coaching from a qualified yoga intructor. If you can, it is well worth signing up for a course of classes. Once you have the basics down and feel comfortable with the basic poses you can begin to develop your practice in your own time. You really will feel great for it