Last month, I told you that I was diving into the world of yoga in order to increase my flexibility and core strength.  As a runner, I have very strong legs, but especially during my training season, I end up neglecting my core and my upper body.  Now that my races are over for the season and I have more time to devote to a more well-rounded exercise program, I take a one-hour per week yoga class that is actually geared toward runners.

While I cannot say that after two-weeks, yoga has worked magic on my runs, I can see some tangible benefits in my body and can foresee that this practice will enhance my running long-term.

• Awareness and Balance:  Every part of yoga is mindful.  I have to pay attention not only to how I get into poses, but also, how I get out of them.  Since yoga moves much more slowly than running, I can take time to process how my muscles are working together, if I feel pain or stretching, and how much I can really push myself.  When I am running, if I start to feel pain now, I immediately start to evaluate my form and body alignment to see how minor alterations may alleviate the pain instead of just trying to ignore the pain and push through it.
• Breath:  At every turn in yoga, there is an emphasis on breath.  It’s not only about being able to breath through an exercise, but also how one is breathing through it.  Deep inhales and exhales require more than just chest breathing.  Consciously practicing diaphragmatic breathing will enhance my oxygen in-take during my runs, thus improving my endurance.
• Core strength:  For as long as I can remember, my lower back has hurt after long runs.  Since taking yoga and strengthening my core, I see a noticeable difference in the lower lumbar region.  Having a solid trunk will improve my running posture, therefore eliminating the lower back pain that I feel when I run.

I am truly excited to continue on my yoga journey, not just for the benefits that it will lend to my running, but also for the total body experience.  I feel more confident in myself when I am working every part of my being – body and mind.  It continues to amaze me how much I have neglected by being a running only kind of gal.