These Are The Ultimate Yoga Poses For Runners
If you really think about it, yoga might just be the best cross-training option for runners because improving your pace or mile time requires strong muscles, controlled, deep breathing, and becoming mentally in tune with your bod. And since yoga focuses on all of these and much more, says Traci Copeland, a yoga teacher and Nike master trainer, the practice is an excellent complimentary activity.
"Yoga for runners is great because it increases your range of motion, creates balance, and stability, all of which are key for running," says Copeland. What's more: Yoga is an ideal way to work out all that tension that can building up while pounding the pavement.
To that end, the eight yoga poses below are ones that Copeland specifically recommends for runners as a means of helping your muscles relax after logging miles. Do them as part of your cool down. Hold each for 30 seconds and then moving on to the next.
But if you really want to get the most out of a yoga practice, considering hitting your mat on days you don't plan on pounding the pavement as a form of active recovery. An ideal yoga routine for runners will include a mix of restorative and strengthening asanas (a.k.a. moves), adds Copeland. "Runners need poses that will help, not hinder their running experience." So expect lots of postures that target areas like your hamstrings, glutes, calves, hips, and core. This 15-minute yoga flow is a great place to start. But you'll def want to check out this list of the best yoga apps too...
(Zave Smith - Getty Images)Hip openers, coming in hot!