benefits to running

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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GottaRun
Participant

January 18, 2011 at 2:35 am

Post count: 2

#2037

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and new to yoga. I have been a runner for 8 years and frequently run long distances. I enjoy training for and running marathons. However, I have found that the older I get (I’m a 44 y.o. female), the more aches and pains I come up with. I have always known that I’m not flexible and have tight muscles. I stretch before and after I run, but it doesn’t do much. Recently, my calves have been exceptionally tight, and I pulled a hamstring during a recent half marathon. Obviously, this tightness is affecting my running. I recently attended my first hot yoga session, followed by my second the next day. I LOVED it! I must admit that I was one of those people that couldn’t imagine that yoga was considered an “exercise!” Well, I was cured of that belief after about 5 minutes into my first class. So, given that I absolutely love hot yoga and have signed up for a month of unlimited classes, I’d like to know what I can expect in terms of running. Does anyone use hot yoga as cross-training? I didn’t sign up for the classes to improve my running; rather, I signed up to loosen my muscles and relieve the stress I feel in my shoulders and neck. I’m just wondering if my running will improve as an added benefit. Any input you may have is appreciated.

RandomFemale
Participant

January 19, 2011 at 6:15 am

Post count: 42

#8199

Hey there,
I ran for about a year or so before I started Bikram yoga. I turned to yoga because I started getting these migraines after I’d run, but I desperately wanted to complete the half-marathon I was training for. The yoga fixed my migraines and I was able to run. After the half-marathon, though, the running tapered off. Yoga just does my body so much more good, and as you know, it’s a workout. I like how slim I feel, as opposed to the athletic body type I had when I ran. But most importantly, it’s how I feel that counts! I’m flexible, I have little pain in my body, and I feel so much better all the time.

But don’t force anything… just try doing both, and see what happens! Maybe you’ll continue doing both; maybe one will take over.

hankgretchen
Participant

January 20, 2011 at 2:00 am

Post count: 8

#8201

I did the running thing for about 15 years. It was great at the time but in retrospect I wouldn’t do it again. Running as a stand alone is far from a complete activity and I believe destructive in the long run. If it is done with any intensity at any rate. My opinion is that yoga is a very good thing for lifelong health. It can certainly be done as a stand alone for that purpose. For athletic performance it is an excellent supplement.

bunni
Participant

January 20, 2011 at 7:10 am

Post count: 60

#8203

I used to run for exercise and even followed a marathon training schedule for awhile (but never did the marathon)…I’m not a great runner. I’m pretty slow and running never felt “natural” to me, though I still enjoy it. I have run a few times since starting Bikram. I noticed a few big changes, including that it was easier to keep good posture (I think I used to slouch slightly when I ran) so breathing became alot easier because there was more room for my lungs to expand. The pranayama helps with that too–it really increases pulmonary ability by stretching the lungs. I can also run much faster during sprinting now.

hotinthevalley
Participant

February 12, 2011 at 8:23 pm

Post count: 6

#8314

Hello Gotta Run!

I am a Hot Yoga teacher who also runs. I actually became more serious about yoga while training fo my 1st marathon a few years ago. I can tell you from personal
experience that your breathing, flexibility and stamina will all improve. Good luck!

~Sarah

nivardnelson
Participant

February 22, 2011 at 10:53 pm

Post count: 1

#8372

Hi,

I still a newbie when it comes to bikram yoga as I have only done about a 20 classes. I cycle and run a couple of times a week and have noticed that my running and cycling is greatly improved after doing bikram yoga. I have been practicing yoga 2-3 times a week for the last month. Went for a run last night for the first time in a week and noticed that I had more energy. I was able to run further than I had in the past. I can only put this down to the yoga. On the bike I have noticed that I feel stronger and am able to hold my pace for a much longer time. It maybe the placebo effect but hey I’ll take it.
I am training for a marathon and half ironman so it will be interesting trying to fit all the training in around yoga as I would still like to practice 2-3 times a week.

Sweatheart
Participant

May 22, 2011 at 3:29 pm

Post count: 15

#8621

Hi GottaRun!

I always was a runner before I started Bikram last August. There I learned that running is bad for you because it destroys your joints and stiffens your body, which lead to other out-of-balances that cause other inner problems. So I have stopped running and until now was religiously attending Bikram almost every day. Long story short, now I am back to running and I am doing Bikram. I run one day, I do Bikram the next day.

My first discovery when I returned to running was that it felt amazing. After almost a year break I was in a great shape and my running felt like dancing. I think it is due to more developed core muscles and breathing. So Bikram does help!

About tightness. I’ve read somewhere and I agree with that: tightness happens for a reason. It is a defense. You do not want to do yoga, get all mellow and go for your usual run. When I started yoga, I craved flexibility. My hips are very tight. I wanted lotus, I wanted splits. After a year in yoga I am nowhere near those. However I am much more flexible, at least now I can sit cross-legs and feel OK – before I never could understand how people can sit with their legs crossed and curled in front of them. I have noticed in my body there is on-going contradiction: flexibility vs strength. On days when I feel the most flexible, I am very weak. On days when I am strong, my flexibility is almost non-existent.

Why I love running even though I was so hooked on Bikram? First thing about my running – I do it outside. Bikram is indoor activity. Second, when I am running, this is MY OWN thing, when I do Bikram, I am being commanded as Bikram commanded teachers to command. And then finally, I love moving around and not only on my mat and inside my inner self.

However when I run I try to run not on the pavement. When I run in the forest park along the winding path, I feel awesome. Yesterday I ran another trail on the pavement and I feel all tired today, stiff and achy.

georgerussell1234
Participant

December 17, 2012 at 11:56 am

Post count: 9

#10142

The intent with yoga is typically different than running. While jogging helps you tone your muscles and sweat out extra calories, yoga typically does not help you with those.

I, therefore recommend that you do yoga in your classes and if you have time at home than utilize your evenings during more strenuous exercise as running.

Robert Scanlon (Webmaster)
Forum Owner

December 17, 2012 at 12:12 pm

Post count: 266

#10143

The intent with yoga is typically different than running. While jogging helps you tone your muscles and sweat out extra calories, yoga typically does not help you with those.

I, therefore recommend that you do yoga in your classes and if you have time at home than utilize your evenings during more strenuous exercise as running.

That might be the case with an archetypal bland yoga – but Bikram Yoga or Hot Yoga can be a majorly strenuous calorie-burner.

As for the sweat …. I suggest you take a class and see for yourself! 😉
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