How do you supplement your yoga practice?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I am well aware that practicing yoga is not meant to be a competition and as long as you’re listening to your body and focusing your mind you’re doing it “right.” There is, however, a certain satisfaction and joy in making progress and learning to do new, challenging poses. And of course, it feels good to improve the health, strength, balance, and flexibility of one’s body.

That being said, here’s my question. What do you do to supplement your yoga practice? I, for one thing, run several times a week to get some cardiovascular exercise and improve my endurance. Does anyway do additional weight training or other activities that you think help you with yoga? Is the best way to expand your yoga practice (with more challenging poses) to do more yoga, or are there good complimentary activities?

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful responses and I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday (if you celebrate Thanksgiving!).

#2

I only practice yoga…I miss the occasional run, but my practice is more important to me and I don’t like the way running makes my body feel.

I do walk a lot though because I live and work in the city and never drive…I guess that’s my cardio! hehe

#3

I used to run as well and as soon as I started to practice yoga I stopped with running. This summer when I was visiting parents in Slovenia I went running just from curiosity. One of a sudden I stopped and I asked myself why am I running if I like walking much more. And I continue walking:-)

I cycle a lot, I also never drive and never use a public transport - but that’s nothing unusual for Amsterdam…

#4

In my younger days (early 20?s) I used to be an obsessive runner. Later I found out all the running during my early days caused my back problems, which I cured with Yoga.
Today I do Yoga and long walks. If I had known Yoga in my youth I would not have been a runner.

#5

[quote=Mirjana;14648]I used to run as well and as soon as I started to practice yoga I stopped with running. This summer when I was visiting parents in Slovenia I went running just from curiosity. One of a sudden I stopped and I asked myself why am I running if I like walking much more. And I continue walking:-)

I cycle a lot, I also never drive and never use a public transport - but that’s nothing unusual for Amsterdam…[/quote]
Very cool! I’ve heard the bicycle parking lots there are much bigger than the car parking lot! hehe

Awesome!

#6

Yes bicycles are all over the city all year long, also in winter. All you need is a good rain coat:-)

#7

I use to try a variety of different physical activities to supplement the asana practice, however over time I found that the asana routine could not be replace!

For the past 5 years I have been teaching the yoga asanas to students and have heard so many success stories from students. The dynamism of the asanas is tremendous and has been provide to treat and/or cure a variety of mental, physical, and emotional disorder and dysfunctions.

Besides the obvious benefits, the asana can preserve the physical body better than any other physical activity I have tried as they help to strength the full physical system, from the skin all the way into the internal organs.

But bicycling is a great aerobic activity and does not put unnecessary strain on the body. Of most physical exercises, bicycling is a useful exercise for improving physical health, strength and longevity.

Keep it real and simple!

#8

Yoga is a very much a part of my routine, however I also indoor rock climb, workout with kettlebells twice a week and trail run. I am training for a 50k trail run in April 2009.

Yoga adds a nice balance

Sean

#9

Wow…it’s interesting to hear about all the ex-runners out there! I actually used to be an “ex-runner” myself (until I started up again!).

Perhaps the answer to my question then is that yoga is enough all by itself.

#10

I find swimming and walking just as relaxing as yoga. I also play tennis and squash and being a yogi is great as it keeps you calm and relaxed whilst playing. I never play competivitely just for the enjoyment of running around. Playing games gets you back into being like a child again that we all too often forget to do.

#11

Walking in a good pace, and swimming. I do weight lifting too (mostly bodyweight or lower), but I am not happy about it … it unbalances me towards pitta. I am not the athletic type, mostly vata with some kapha features (if that makes any sense). I guess it is up to the individual … but I think weight lifting or any hard physical activity is counterproductive for yogi’s. [I](Do not exert too much[/I], as said in the Upanishads)

#12

Try incorparating chi kung into your parctice, it works really well with yoga and acts as a onderfull energy booster.
Namaste,
Murali.

#13

Hi Hubert

I’m the same mainly vata but my features are very kapha. Maybe a bit of pitta in there would be good to get a balance of all three. I guess it’s knowing your own body and mind and what works for it. Yoga will always be my first love!!!

#14

Tribal belly dance, and boxing against a heavy bag, and hiking in Silver Creek Falls – this amazing state park with a ton of elevation change on the trails.
I don’t consider any of those as supplemental to my yoga or a way to improve my asanas – but another way to move with intent.

#15

I addition to yoga four times a week I like to add some swimming due to our hot summers and some fast walking with my dogs.:slight_smile:

#16

I’m actually been thinking about getting a dog for a bunch of reasons. For one thing, it seems like a great way to spend some fun time outside.

#17

My yoga practice is supplemented by daily asana, chanting, pranayama, study of the sutras and regular sessions with my mentor.

Vic

#18

Erm.
That raises the question of what your yoga practice really is …

#19

in the summer i swim and always walking in the country (where i live)
i fit some weight lifting in when i can.
after yard work/home mtce. and family theres not much time to do anything else.

#20

My main activity is Kung fu and some chi gung. Yoga works well with it and there seems to be a cross benefit.