Yoga for Cross Training - a Great Way to Avoid Sports Injuries

Cross training with yoga is an excellent way to supplement or reinforce your training regiment for sports. Yoga can be as vigorous or gentle depending on the yoga poses chosen. It can stretch an athlete's body, teach them how to breathe for maxim efficiency, and discipline their mind. When a person exercises with yoga, they follow a series of yoga poses while controlling their breath.

The idea that yoga involves meditation and chanting should not be a concern for those seeking to try cross training with yoga. Yoga has become a mainstream fitness activity and many programs no longer include meditation or chanting as part of their yoga programs.

Yoga for Runners

Cross training with yoga for runners is an excellent way to give the body a rest from the physical stresses of running. A gentle series of yoga poses is used stretch and strengthen areas needed in running, such as the hips, hamstrings, feet, and calves is an excellent cross training program. In addition, the breathing exercises used in yoga will help in to increase lung function.

Yoga for Swimmers

Swimmers often suffer from tight shoulders and an upper back. Yoga for swimmers is an excellent way to increase lung capacity and loosen those tight areas. Yoga poses for swimmers can also help swimmers with their concentration as they will use muscles and move their body in new ways.

Yoga for Skiers

Cross training with yoga for skiers is a beneficial way to increase balance, stability, and stamina. Doing a few yoga poses for skiers as a warm up prior to skiing is a great way to avoid the next day stiffness and some of the injuries skiers face.

Yoga for Bikers

Bikers often suffer from lower back, leg, and hip strains. Cross training with yoga for bikers is an easy way to warm-up prior to riding or as a way of maintaining flexibility, endurance, and strength during the winter or when riding outside is not possible. Choosing yoga poses for bikers that concentrate on the hip, lower back, shoulders, and legs is an easy way to stay physically fits for biking.

Getting Started

Cross training with yoga has become a popular way for athletes to improve their conditioning. Athletes seeking to learn about yoga can view classes on-line free, purchase sport's specific yoga classes on DVD, or take yoga classes at the YMCA and at their neighborhood yoga studio.

References:

Hatha Yoga 1 - Easy Ground Work - Full 43 Minute Class; YogaYak.com, YouTube, July 19, 2007

Yoga Chicago Magazine

Yoga Journal

Yoga for Cross Training Summer Sports Guide; Catherine Guthrie, Yoga Journal

Yoga for Runners; Yogatic, YouTube, October 08, 2008

Yoga poses for swimmers, Yoga Trainer

An Energizing Warm Up for Skiers and Snowboarders; Yoga Today, YouTube, December 22, 2008

Stretches for Biking; Yoga Today, YouTube, October 05, 2008