How yoga can help your running

When you think about it yoga and running couldn't be any more different as forms of exercise. Which is why I think they work in perfect harmony together. Since implementing yoga into my training regime I've found my strength training and running improve dramatically. It's also triggered more of a conscious effort around stretching and mobility.

The reason yoga is so good for runners is because it helps develop muscular strength, flexibility, and balance, which can reduce the risk of injury, and it also helps you improve your mental focus and breathing efficiency for running. On the flip side running complements yoga really well because it boosts cardiovascular fitness.

I got injured last year because of running. I got a top of femur/hip stress fracture which meant I couldn't exercise hard for around 6 months. At the time I got the injury I was literally running myself into the ground. For some reason I had stopped my strength sessions and yoga and all I was doing was running every day (lets just say I was a little addicted). Anyway, I learnt the hard way. I am almost certain that my imbalanced training lead to my injury and it's something I will not be doing again!

Currently my weekly training looks like this:

• Cardio 3-4 times per week 45mins+ per session

• Strength 3-4 times per week 45mins per session

• Yoga 1-2 times per week 1hr per session

Accessory

• Barre Body (when I can) - usually Barre Cardio 1hr per session

Now that I am training a running group for the city 2 surf I will be hammering into them the importance of strength and yoga to complement their training. As they say: 'everything in moderation' and this couldn't be more accurate! A good balance whatever your training goal is is so important (this goes the same for diet too!)

Wearing: Cotton On Body

At: Oski Yoga

If you have any questions or feedback on this post I would love to hear from you x x x