Running and yoga

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Happy New Year, everyone.

I have been doing yoga for a little while and I am very keen to make it my main focus. However, I also like to run (okay - jog quite slowly), kickbox, swim etc.

I wondered if these fitness activities would impinge on my yoga practise? I know running shortens the muscles, but I spend a good deal of the day stretching, so I hoped that would counter those problems.

Basically, what I am asking is - will other activities necessarily negatively affect my yoga practise?

Thanks,

Hanu

#2

Any cardiovascular exercise you perform has an effect in our cardiovascular system, helps you keep your weight, takes your thoughts out of anger, trains concentration and focus, etc. Isn’t this a great benefit for your yoga practice?
Medically, exercise releases dopamine, increases serotonine levels and endorphins which have a thousand benefits (e.x. decreases the possibility of depression, gives you more energy, enhances your sexual performance, etc). There is nothing wrong with performing other exercise, actually I believe firmly it can make your yoga practice much more benefical.

P.S.
I don’t know where you get that running shortens muscles. It does affect knees and other joints like ankles due o the pressure increase in the intra articular cartilage, but with a [U]normal [/U]stretching before and after running you would have longer more flexible muscles than a non-runner I can assure you…

#3

Happy new year Hanu.

Once again, Yoga is not a physical fitness activity. However there is a tool within Yoga called asana which is based on a physical system. However it is not a stand-alone system. That is to say its efficacy relies on its place (inter-relation) with the other components of Yoga.

But if we must only look at it as “exercise” to respond to your post…
The interference or support of the other things in your life relative to your asana practice would depend on what exactly you are doing, how you are doing it, how long you are doing it, and what your intention(s) might be.

Obviously there are many people who maintain an asana practice and lift weights, or run, or swim, or whatever. So it is fine if it works for you in your practice and your living, period.

Gordon

#4

I dont think other activities will have impact on your Yoga practices. Also, you need to be aware that certain things are not good enough for Yoga. If you wish to achieve better result, You may consult your yoga master.

#5

Oh great! I was totally not expecting this to be the answer. I don’t know why…

Excellent, then I shall look forward to a lovely run on the beach tomorrow morning!

Thanks for your help.